Digital Electronics

Digital Electronics TM (DE) is the study of electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. In contrast to analog electronics, where information is represented by a continuously varying voltage, digital signals are represented by two discrete voltages or logic levels. This distinction allows for greater signal speed and storage capabilities and has revolutionized the world of electronics. Digital electronics is the foundation of all modern electronic devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, digital cameras, high definition televisions, etc.

The major focus of the DE course is to expose students to the design process of combinational and sequential logic design, teamwork, communication methods, engineering standards, and technical documentation.

Utilizing the activity-, project-, and problem-based (APB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will analyze, design and build digital electronic circuits. While implementing these designs, students will continually hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities and understanding of the design process.

Digital Electronics is a high school level course that is appropriate for 10th – 12th grade students interested in electronics. Other than concurrent enrollment in college preparatory mathematics and science courses, this course assumes no previous knowledge.

Digital Electronics is one of the specialization courses in the Project Lead the Way high school pre-engineering program. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology. The course of study includes:
  • Introduction to Electronics
  • Introduction to Circuit Design
  • AOI Combinational Logic Circuit Design
  • Alternative Design: Universal Gates and K-Mapping
  • Specific Combinational Logic Designs
  • Introduction to Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)
  • Sequential Logic Circuit Design
  • Asynchronous Counters
  • Synchronous Counters
  • Introduction to State Machines
  • Introduction to Microcontrollers
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