This course introduces binary arithmetic and number systems to various bases. The functions of the inverter (NOT gate), AND, OR, NAND, NOR, Half Adder, Full Adder, Half Subtractor and Full Subtractor are derived. Combinational logic is implemented with the use of truth tables, Boolean algebra, DeMorgan’s theorem and tabular methods. Decoders, encoders, demultiplexers and multiplexers are examined and their operations and implementations are shown.
A development of the properties of S-R, J-K, T and D flip-flops and their applications to registers, shift registers and counters is carried out. An explanation and the construction of sequential logic circuits using Mealey, Moore, and Mealy-Moore machines’ principles are implemented.
A block diagram of a microcomputer system illustrating the address bus, data bus and control bus is drawn. The course also examines the architecture of 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit microprocessors, recognising their data transfer between registers, between CPU and memory, between CPU and input/output ports and direct memory accessing. For modern computers, the terms, cache memory, pipelining, enhanced IDE hard drive and SCSI are explained. Some programming is done in a high-level language, assembly language and machine code (hexadecimal) and their relative advantages and disadvantages are used and demonstrated.