Titular Professors
Professors
None
By passing the Introduction to Computers subject, students acquire the knowledge and develop the skills indicated below:
1. Have knowledge of the entire digital world and its components as well as how to design digital systems from the statement of a problem in real terms, for the practice of connecting systems, evaluating the response of the different elements, signals and components. (a)
2. Design and use systems, components, processes or experiments to achieve the established requirements and analyze and interpret the results obtained. (b+c)
3. Identify, formulate and solve technology-based problems that require a digital system to obtain a solution in a multidisciplinary environment individually or as a member of a team. (d+e)
4. Use the techniques and new systems design tools, either as a work process or methodology to consider to make a system from its inception until it starts to function. The most used tools are those of system simulation. (k)
Part I. Boolean Algebra
1. Numerical representation systems (6 sessions)
1.1 Numerical systems
1.2 Binary codes
1.3 Alphanumeric codes
1.4 Error detection codes
1.5 Representation of signed numbers
1.6 Representation in Ca2
2. Boolean algebra and logic gates (7 sessions)
2.1 Boolean algebra
2.2 Boolean functions
2.3 Truth tables
2.4 Boolean operations
2.5 Canonical forms
2.6 Boolean theorems
2.7 Design and implementation of systems with logic gates
2.8 VHDL language. Examples
2.9 Description of systems with logic gates using VHDL
3. Combinational logic circuits (8 sessions)
3.1 Simplification of functions by Karnaugh maps
3.2 Incomplete functions
3.3 Design exercises
Part II. Combinatorial Systems
4. Binary Arithmetic (7 sessions)
4.1 Arithmetic Addition in Natural Binary
4.2 Arithmetic Subtraction in Natural Binary
4.8 Arithmetic in VHDL
5. Combinatorial Function Blocks (10 sessions)
5.1 Characteristics of Input and Output Signals of Function Blocks
5.2 Encoders
5.3 Decoders
5.4 Multiplexers
5.5 Comparators
5.6 Applications with Function Blocks
Part III. Elementary Memory Elements and Registers
6. Memory Elements, Registers and Counters (21 Sessions)
6.1 Introduction to Memory Elements. Classification of sequential systems
6.2 R-S, D and D flip-flops with asynchronous R-S inputs
6.3 VHDL flip-flops
6.4 Registers and their characteristics
6.5 EP/SP registers
6.6 Registers with serial shift: ES/SS, ES/SP and EP/SS
6.7 Commercial registers
6.8 Design of control signals in registers
6.9 Design problems with registers
6.10 Registers in VHDL
6.11 Introduction to counters
6.12 Design of synchronous counters
6.13 Extension of counting capacity
6.14 Counters in VHDL
7. Introduction to sequential systems (7 sessions)
7.1 Introduction to sequential systems
7.2 Definition of state machines
7.3 Design of state machines
7.4 Implementation of state machines
7.5 State machines in VHDL
Part IV. Synchronous Sequential Systems
8. Sequential Systems I (6 sessions)
8.1 Design of Synchronous Sequential Systems with Additional Hardware
9. Memories (5 sessions)
9.1 Types of Memories
9.2 Random Access Memories: RAM and ROM
9.3 Sequential Access Memories: LIFO and FIFO
9.4 Content Access Memories: CAM
9.5 Exercises
10. Sequential Systems II (9 sessions)
10.1 Design of Synchronous Sequential Systems with Memories
The subject structures its learning from a pedagogical point of view, in four levels, trying to align with Dr. Norman Webb's theory on the four levels of Depth of Knowledge (DoK):
1. Remember: theory of the subject
2. Skill/concept: individually simulate our designs
3. Strategic thinking: design circuit diagrams according to requirements
4. Extended thinking: individual practice of integrating the concepts learned
The methodology used in the Introduction to Computers subject combines lectures with classes with active methodologies, as well as a large number of continuous assessment exercises that the student must solve alone or cooperate with classmates or the teaching team of the subject. The contents acquired in the face-to-face classes are reinforced with the completion of group practices, which are delivered during the course.
In this subject, the eStudy platform is used as a means of communication between the student and the teacher. The materials needed throughout the course (manuals, exercise proposals, exam statements, support content, etc.) are published on this platform.
EVALUATION OF THEORY
The theory assessment is organized into four quarters, two in each semester. In each of them, the final grade will depend on the results obtained in the continuous assessment (CA) and the exams at the end of the quarter.
a. Continuous assessment
Continuous assessment consists mainly of exercises in class: periodically, the student must submit exercises carried out in the classroom. A grade will be obtained from these exercises, which will be the continuous assessment exercise grade (EAC).
Not submitting any of these exercises or submitting any exercise outside the deadline established by the teacher, will result in a grade of '0' (zero) in that exercise. It is not recoverable.
This continuous assessment exercise grade (EAC) will be calculated periodically based on the arithmetic mean of the exercises carried out in the corresponding topic, even if one or more of the exercises have not been submitted (they will contribute a '0' (zero) to the EAC grade) and will be taken into account for the calculation of the final theory grade for the course, as explained below.
b. End-of-quarter exams
Each quarter will include a final exam (EFQi) that will cover the entire syllabus taught throughout the term, in these calls:
- EFQ1: Ordinary November call, with the contents of topics 1, 2 and 3 with the possibility of retakes in the extraordinary July call.
- EFQ2: Ordinary January call, with the contents of topics 4 and 5 with the possibility of retakes in the extraordinary July call.
- EFQ3: Ordinary March call, with the contents of topics 6 and 7 with the possibility of retakes in the extraordinary July call.
- EFQ4: Ordinary June call, with the contents of topics 8, 9 and 10 with the possibility of retakes in the extraordinary July call.
Final Quarter Theory Grade
These final quarter exam grades (EFQi) will be used to calculate the theory grade (TEOQi) for each quarter of the subject following the following criteria:
TEOQi = MAX(EFQi ; 0,7 · EFQi + 0,3 · EACi)
Final Theory Grade
The final theory grade will be calculated according to the following formula, where TEOQi is the grade for each quarter:
TEOFINAL = WeightedAverage(TEOi) = 0,2 · TEOQ1 + 0,2 · TEOQ2 + 0,2 · TEOQ3 + 0,4 · TEOQ4
If this TEOFINAL grade is >= 5, the theory is approved for the current course, and there is no option to improve it.
July Recovery
If the TEOFINAL grade is lower than 5, it will have to be recovered in the extraordinary July exam, and it is up to the student to choose which EFQi they want to take to improve the grade. Once the exams are done, the TEOFINAL grade will be recalculated with the new and previous grades from June, using the same formula.
Taking a final quarter exam in the extraordinary July exam means waiving any previous grade from that final quarter exam.
The continuous grades from each quarter are kept for the calculations of the July grades.
EVALUATION OF THE SUBJECT'S PRACTICES
A practice will be carried out throughout the course, broken down into four partial practices, which will consist of the implementation of a digital system that implements the functionality of an Arithmetic Logic Unit, the design of which will have been worked on in class. The design phase will be worked on in class as a continuous assessment design exercise problem, finally arriving at a specific implementation proposal, which must be implemented by the students, either with discrete components on a punched-out board or on the DE10-Lite kit.
Once all the practices have been submitted, the final practice grade (PRACTFINAL) will be obtained from the weighted average of the grades of the practices (QPi) or their phases depending on their complexity, according to the following formula:
PRACTFINAL = 0,1 · QP1 + 0,3 · QP2 + 0,2 · QP3 + 0,4 · QP4
If this PRACTFINAL grade >= 5, the internships are approved for the current course, and there is no option to improve it.
If this grade is not achieved in June, there is a second chance in July.
FINAL GRADE OF THE SUBJECT
To pass the subject, you must pass theory and practice separately. The final grade of the subject will be calculated as follows:
- If TEOFINAL ? 5 and PRACTFINAL ? 5, the final grade of the subject will be NOTA_FINAL = TEOFINAL · 0.7 + PRACTFINAL · 0.3.
- If TEOFINAL < 5, the final grade of the subject will be NOTA_FINAL = TEOFINAL.
- If PRACTFINAL < 5, the final grade of the subject will be NOTA_FINAL = MIN(4; TEOFINAL.).
ITC Teachers (2024) Introduction to Computers Notes. Barcelona. La Salle Engineering
Enoch O. Hwang, (2005). Digital Logic and Microprocessor Design With VHDL. CL Engineering
Palaniappan, R. (2011). Digital systems design. Bookboon.
Roth Jr, C. H., & Kinney, L. L. (2013). Fundamentals of logic design. Nelson Education.
Angulo, J. M. (1991) Electrónica Digital Moderna. Teoría y Práctica. 12ª Edición Corregida y Ampliada. Madrid. Editorial
Paraninfo S.A.