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Department of Computer Science and Technology

Undergraduate

Course pages 2021–22

Hardware Practical Classes

Principal lecturer: Dr Ian Wassell
Taken by: Part IA CST
Term: Michaelmas (continuing in Lent)
timetable

The Hardware Practical Classes accompany the Digital Electronics series of lectures. The aim of the Practical Classes is to enable students to get hands-on experience of designing, building, and testing and debugging of digital electronic circuits. The intention is to hold the labs face-to-face using actual hardware in the Intel Lab. located in the William Gates Building (WGB). However, if this is not possible, alternative simulation based labs will be substituted to replace either all or some of the face-to-face labs.

The Digital Electronics lecture series occupies 12 lectures in the first 4 weeks of the Michaelmas Term, while the Practical Classes occupy the latter 6 weeks of the Michaelmas Term and all 8 weeks of the Lent Term.

The Practical Classes take the form of 4 workshops, specifically for the face-to-face classes:

  • Workshop 1 – Electronic Die;
  • Workshop 2 – Shaft Position Encoder;
  • Workshop 3 – Debouncing a Switch;
  • Workshop 4 – Framestore for an LED Array.

In general, the workshops require some preparatory work to be done prior to the practical session. These tasks are highlighted at the beginning of each Worksheet. Typically this involves preparing a design that you will then build, test and modify during the practical class. Note that insufficient preparation prior to the practical classes may compromise effective use of your time in the laboratory.

In the Practical Classes you will usually work on your own, and you are expected to complete one Workshop in each of your scheduled sessions. Demonstrators are available during the sessions to assist you with any queries or problems you may have.

Important: Remember to get your work ticked.