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2020/2021

Fundamentals of Computers

Code: 102765 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2502441 Computer Engineering FB 1 2
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Errata

In the Assessment Activities table, “Laboratory practices (sessions preparation, assignments and individual test)” should be replaced by “Assessable activities related to laboratory practice”.

Contact

Name:
Mercedes Rullán Ayza
Email:
Mercedes.Rullan@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)
Some groups entirely in English:
No
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

Teachers

Joaquín Saiz Alcaine
Lluís Antoni Teres Teres

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites. However, it is recommended for students to have previously taken the courses “Fundamentals of Computing” and “Electricity and Electronics”.

Objectives and Contextualisation

This is a basic training course, taught during the second semester of the first academic year.  Computer Fundamentals is the bridge between the courses of Electricity and Electronics and Fundamentals of Computing, in the first year, and Computer Organization in the second year.

The objectives of this course are for students to understand the role of digital systems in the computer world, be capable of designing low-to-medium complexity digital systems using logic gates and reconfigurable devices, and understand that a computer is simply a digital system of a certain complexity. In the last part of the course, a simple computer is presented in order for the students to understand the concepts of process-unit, control-unit, instruction set, microinstructions, microorders and microprogramming.

Competences

  • Acquire personal work habits.
  • Acquire thinking habits.
  • Know about the structure, organisation, operation and interconnection of computer systems, basic programming, and the application of the same to solve engineering problems.
  • Know the basic materials and technologies to enable the learning and development of new methods and technologies, as well as those that that provide large-scale versatility to adapt to new situations.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of machine operation algorithm and processor design based on this .
  2. Develop a capacity for analysis, synthesis and prospection.
  3. Know the basic principles of the structure and programming of computers.
  4. Recognise and identify the methods, systems and technologies of computer engineering.
  5. Show capacity for the design of basic components (logic ports, flip flops?) and for the design of combinational circuits and programmable logic devices.
  6. Understand the basic principles of computer logic, Boolean functions and their minimisation.
  7. Work independently.

Content

Block 1: Combinational Circuits (CC)

  • Digital signals and digital systems. Description of digital systems.
  • Electronic digital systems (EDS). MOS transistors. AND, OR and INV logical gates. Synthesis of EDS as a process of successive refinements.
  • Combinational Circuits. Synthesis from a table I: ROM. Synthesis from a table II: logic gates.
  • Boolean algebra. Truth tables.
  • NAND, NOR, XOR, NXOR logical gates. 3-state buffers.
  • Synthesis tools. Propagation time. Other logic blocks: multiplexers, decoders, AND-OR planes (PLAs).
  • Synthesis from algorithms.

Block 2: Sequential Circuits (SC)

  • The need for sequential circuits. Some examples. States and synchronization. Synchronous sequential circuits.
  • Explicit functional description of SCs. State transition graphs and tables.
  • Basic components: Bistables. Flip flops and latches.
  • Synthesis of SC from tables. Moore and Mealy machines. States encoding.
  • Registers, counters and memories. Structure, types and most common uses.
  • Finite state machines (FSM). Formal definition. Implementation. Propagation times.
  • Basic notions of VHDL. Some examples of FSM description using VHDL.
  • Sequential implementation of algorithms.
  • Physical implementation of digital circuits. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) and other implementation strategies.

Block 3: Process Unit-Control Unit (PU-CU) architecture and processors

  • PU-CU architecture.
  • PU with multiplexers. PU with busses.
  • ROM based Control Unit with sequencers.
  • Basic structure of a microprocessor. Von Neumann architecture as an extended PU-CU architecture. Functional units and busses.
  • A basic machine-level instruction set. An example of machine code programming.
  • Fetch, decoding and execution cycles.
  • Micro-orders and condition (status) signals. Microinstructions and microprograms.
  • Microprogrammed implementation of the Control Unit.
  • Relations between pure hardware, firmware, and high-level software languages.

Methodology

The 2020-2021 academic year will be the first time that the whole subject will be taught in "classroom problems" mode. All face-to-face classes are treated as if they were problem-based applied classroom sessions. This is taught in small groups (around 40-50 students), an indispensable condition to achieve the necessary degree of interactivity in an eminently practical subject.

The course is organized in 3 blocks. In blocks 1 and 2, a "flipped classroom" learning approach is followed using the materials of a MOOC developed by the course lecturers ("blended learning"). These materials include videos that students must watch before attending classes and that explain the theoretical-practical knowledge necessary for the design of digital systems; and interactive exercises with automatic correction. In small size (40-50 students) face-to-face classes, students’ doubts and questions are addressed, and new design cases are worked on. The student must actively participate in these classes; they are not “conventional expository lectures”.

Block 3 does not have videos, but it does have some extensive notes that must also be read before each class in order to be able to practice them in classroom problems.

The course includes laboratory sessions where student physically implements on a FPGA the circuits that thus far they have only designed "on paper". Laboratory sessions are carried out in groups of 20-25 students, with two students per work-place, and last for two hours. Students must, however, demonstrate the skills acquired through an individual test.

Tutoring sessions may be individual or in small groups and will be done on demand and in coordination between each teacher and the related students. There may also be open tutoring sessions for all interested students that may be proposed by the teaching staff; but these will require prior submission to the corresponding forum of the Virtual Campus (CV) those specific questions about concepts or exercises that must be addressed in order for the teachers to plan and carry out that tutoring properly.

The following transversal skills are addressed and assessed during the course:

T01.02 - Develop a capacity for analysis, synthesis and prospection: They are worked on in the face to face classes and assessed within the partial tests.

T02.01 - Work independently: Students must develop these skills by taking responsibility for viewing the videos before classes and doing the exercises autonomously. The viewing (and understanding) of the videos is assessed through Socrative questionnaires at the beginning of the classes. Both the questionnaires and the problems delivered are part of the final grade.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Exercise-based classes 30 1.2 6, 3, 5, 1, 2, 4
Laboratory practices 12 0.48 5
Type: Supervised      
Case study 12 0.48 6, 5, 2, 7
Laboratory practice assignments 10 0.4 5
Type: Autonomous      
Autonomous work 40 1.6 6, 3, 5, 1, 4, 7
Preparing and solving exercises 16 0.64 2, 7
Videos viewing 12 0.48 6, 3, 5, 1, 2, 4, 7

Assessment

a) Assessment activities

For partial or final assessment tests, the teaching staff can decide on any combination of the following modalities:

  1. Objective test, face-to-face or virtual, to evaluate the fundamental conceptual knowledge of the subject. This test could be part of a two-phase exam and be eliminatory, so that if this part is not passed, the second part can no longer be taken or will not be evaluated.
  2. Exercise resolution test where students will have to apply the knowledge acquired to solve any exercise that can be addressed with the contents taught and regardless of whether or not identical or similar examples have been performed in class.
  3. Combined test between basic conceptual knowledge and applied exercises; that is, a combined test of the two above.

All tests and exams may be with or without notes and face-to-face or virtual depending on the circumstances. This all remains at the discretion of the teaching staff, who must announce it well in advance and, if possible, at the beginning of the classes in each block associated with a partial or final exam.

Student assessment includes the following activities:

  1. Three individual partial tests (one test per block) carried out face-to-face, in a controlled environment, and in written format. These partials tests assess the student's acquired knowledge and his/her skills designing efficient circuits and systems.
  2. Exercises resolution: a set of on-line exercises, with automatic grading, must be delivered on previously scheduled dates.
  3. The viewing of videos before attending the class and classroom attendance.
  4. Activities in which students must demonstrate the skills acquired during the development of the practices.

b) Assessment procedure

The mark of the course by continued assessment ( ) is obtained from:

  1. (activity 1) the mark obtained in the 3 partial tests (PT1, PT2, PT3),
  2. (activities 2 and 3) the delivery of exercises, class attendance and video viewing (Pb),
  3. (activity 4) the note of the evaluable activities of practices (Lp)

according to the formula: AC = PT · 0,5 + Pb · 0,2 + LT · 0,3

where: PT = (PT1+PT2+PT3)/3

 To pass the course the following conditions must be met:

  1. CA ≥ 5,
  2. PT1, PT2, and PT3 must be ≥ 4, and CA must be ≥ 5; and
  3. LT must be ≥ 5

At the end of the course:

  • If the mark obtained in PT1, PT2, or PT3 (only one of them) is < 4, the student is encouraged to raise this mark by repeating the test scored under 4. To pass the course, the new mark obtained must be ≥ 4,and the new average of the three marks must be ≥ 5. The mark PT will be this new average.
  • If a student has obtained a mark < 4 in two or more partial tests, he is encouraged to take a final test of the whole course curriculum. The mark PT will be the grade obtained in this test, which must be ≥ 5 to pass the course.
  • If LT < 5 and (LT ≥ 3 or (PT1+PT2)/2 ≥ 4.5), the student will be able to do a recovery activity related to the internship. The grade obtained in this recovery activity will be the new grade PL, which must be ≥ 5 to pass the subject.

If PT < 5 or LT < 5 after retaking these new tests, the final score of the course will be the lowest number between CA and 4.5.

The following figure summarizes the possible situations for students having passed the laboratory practices (that is, LT≥ 5)

 

 

 c) Scheduling of the assessment activities

The dates of the assessment tests and the submission of exercises are published in the Virtual Campus (VC) and may be subject to changes in programming due to unforeseen eventualities. Any modification will be reported through this platform.

It is important to bear in mind that no assessment activities will be permitted for any student at a different date or time to that established, unless for justified causes duly advised before the activity and with the lecturer’s previous consent. In all other cases, if an activity has not been carried out, this cannot be re-assessed.

 d) Grades review

The marks obtained by students in each of the tests are published in the VC. Along with the grades, the place, date and time of review will be indicated, allowing students to review the activity with the lecturer. In this context, students may discuss the activity grade awarded by the lecturers responsible for the subject.

If the student does not take part in this review, no further opportunity will be made available.

 e) Irregularities committed by the student, copy and plagiarism

Notwithstanding other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with the academic regulations in force, assessment activities will receive a zero whenever a student commits academic irregularities that may alter such assessment. Assessment activities graded in this way and by this procedure will not be re-assessable. If passing the assessment activity or activities in question is required to pass the subject, the awarding of a zero for disciplinary measures will also entail a direct fail for the subject, with no opportunity to re-assess this in the same academic year.

Irregularities contemplated in this procedure include, among others:

  • the total or partial copying of a test, practical exercise, report, or any other evaluation activity;
  • allowing others to copy;
  • presenting group work that has not been done entirely by the members of the group;
  • presenting any materials prepared by a third part as one’s own work, even if these materials are translations or adaptations, including work that is not original or exclusively that of the student;
  • having communication devices (such as mobile phones, smart watches, etc.) accessible during theoretical-practical assessment tests (individual exams).

 f) Assessment of students who followed the subject last year but do not successfully passed it

Students who completed and passed the laboratory practices in the previous course but did not pass the course, may choose not to repeat them again during the current academic year. In that case, the laboratory practices grade (LT) will be 5, regardless of the grade reached the previous year.

The list of students who can choose this option will be published at the beginning of the course in the VC. If, anyway, the student wants to make the laboratory practices again, he/she must communicate it by mail to the course Coordinator.

If a student has committed irregularities (copies/plagiarism) in any evaluation activity in a previous call of the subject he will not have the right to have his practices validated (if he had approved them).

 g) Special grades

  • A "non-assessable" grade cannot be assigned to students who have participated in anyof the individual partial tests or the final test.
  • In order to pass the course with honours, the final grade must be ≥ 9.0. Because the number of students with this distinction cannot exceed 5% of the number of students enrolled in the course, this distinction will be awarded to whoever has the highest final grade.

To consult the academic regulations approved by the Governing Council of the UAB, please follow this link: https://www.uab.cat/doc/TR_Normativa_Academica_Plans_Nous

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exercises delivering 20% 8 0.32 2, 7
Laboratory practices (sessions preparation, assignaments and individual test) 30% 2 0.08 5, 2, 4, 7
Three partial tests and/or final test 50% 8 0.32 6, 3, 5, 1, 2, 4, 7

Bibliography

  • Coursera MOOC: https://www.coursera.org/learn/digital-systems
  • Digital Systems: From Logic Gates to Processors. Deschamps JP, Valderrama E, Terés L. Springer 2017. ISBN 978-3-319-41198-9.
  • Complex Digital Systems. Deschamps JP, Valderrama E, and Terés L. Springer 2019. ISBN 978-3-030-12652-0.
  • Diseño de Sistemas Digitales. Deschamps JP, Ed. Paraninfo 1989. ISBN 84-283-1695-9.
  • Digital Systems Fundamentals. T.L. Floyd. Ed. Prentice Hall. 9ª Edición ISBN: 8483220857.