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ECE 4514 - Digital Design II (4C)

Course Description

Advanced digital design techniques for developing complex digital circuits. Emphasis on system-level concepts and high-level design representations while meeting design constraints such as performance, power, and area. Methods presented that are appropriate for use with automated synthesis systems. Commercial hardware description language simulation and synthesis tools used for designing a series of increasingly complex digital systems, and implementing those systems using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs).

Why take this course?

Digital systems are part of our everyday lives, with a diverse range of application areas, such as toys, consumer electronics, automobiles, networking, and energy management. These complex digital systems have stringent design constraints, such as execution time, area, power consumption, cost, and reliability. State-of-the-are digital design techniques are required to meet these constraints while providing the desired functionality. The ability to design, implement, and analyze complex digital systems is in demand in industry as well as academia.

Learning Objectives

  • Apply advanced design strategies that include testing and debugging techniques
  • Meet specified design constraints, such as performance, power, and area, using contemporary techniques
  • Use multiple clocks and asynchronous system techniques for high-speed data transfer
  • Prototype complex digital systems that meet specific design constraints
  • Compare and contrast the relative capabilities of various contemporary digital hardware technologies

    • Resources & Links

    Two-Semester Major Design Experience

    ECE’s two-semester Major Design Experience (ECE 4805-4806) provides teams of students with simulations of the post-college world via projects specified and directed by industry partners. For more information, contact class instructor, Dr. Scot Ransbottom.

    Textbook List

    Take a look at the Summer 2024 ECE textbook list.

    Current Prerequisites & Course Offering

    For current prerequisites for a particular course, and to view course offerings for a particular semester, see the Virginia Tech Course Timetables

    ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission

    The B.S. degree in electrical engineering and the B.S. degree in computer engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

    Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) & Student Outcomes (SOs)