Fundamentals of Computer Engineering
Semester 1, 2019
Staff
Teaching schedule
The first half of the course will be taught by Oliver Sinnen and the second half by Bill Collis.
Calendar notes
Digital systems and binary coding; binary numbers; Boolean algebra and computer logic; combinational logic circuits; sequential logic circuits; hardware description language; digital design flow; register transfer level descriptions and design; data paths and control units; from circuits to microprocessors; basic computer organisation; introduction to modern microprocessors; timers and interfacing; C and assembly language for microprocessors; designing digital systems using microprocessors.
Prerequisite: ELECTENG 101
Teaching and learning goals
The goal of the course is to give a broad introduction to computer systems engineering fundamentals and methods used in linking the physical world with computers, as well as basic hardware and software technologies and methods used in the design of modern digital systems. The concepts will be illustrated with many small-scale examples, which are related to real-world applications of computer systems engineering. Foundations presented in this course will serve future computer systems, electrical, and software engineering students with an understanding of the role of digital hardware, computers, and software technologies. It will also foster interrelationships with their own respective programmes. It provides an understanding for how computers work, from low-level logic to high-level software programming. Introductory skills in designing simple digital systems using the hardware description language VHDL with prototyping and implementation using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) will be acquired. In addition, the features and programming of the ATMEL ATmega328P microcontroller using the C programming language will be covered.
Reading list:
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Recommended for Part I:
* S. Brown and Z. Vranesic, Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design (McGraw Hill, Third Edition 2009) – available from the Library.
* F. Vahid, Digital Design with RTL Design, VHDL, and Verilog (John Wiley & Sons, Second Edition 2011) – available from the Library.
Recommended for Part II
* M. Mazidi, S. Naimi, S. Naimi, The AVR Microcontroller and Embedded Systems (Pearson / Prentice Hall, 2011) – available from the Library.
Coursework
Coursework:
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Assignment 1, 7%
Assignment 2, 10%
Test, 15%
Labs (4x), 8% (2% each, weeks 3, 5, 7 and 10)
Exam 60%
Labs
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Students are expected to carefully read lab sheets in the coursebook and come to the labs prepared. You need to go to your enrolled lab session. If you have any difficulty (proper reason required) in attending the lab, contact the course coordinator as soon as possible. Students can work in pairs during the lab, but the lab preparation is the individual work of each student, and students are assessed individually.
Exam rules
No description given
Inclusive learning
Students are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements face-to-face and/or in written form with the course convenor/lecturer and/or tutor.
Other assessment rules
No description given
Academic integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting his or her learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the world-wide web. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
All students enrolled at the University of Auckland are required to complete a compulsory Academic Integrity course, usually in their first semester/year of enrolment. The University of Auckland’s full guidelines on procedures and penalties for academic dishonesty are available here.
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