TICKIT - User Manual

v. 1.0

April 25, 2022

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Contents

1 The Digital System KIT 5

1.1 Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.2 Getting help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 Introduction to The Digital System KIT 7

2.1 Layout and Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 Functional blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4 Reset the KIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.5 Skip the self-test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3 Using the Digital System KIT 13

3.1 Switch Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.2 Single LED Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.3 Key Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.4 7-Segment LED Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.5 Clock Pulse generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

4 Appendix 25
4.1 Revision History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

3
CONTENTS 4
Chapter 1

The Digital System KIT

The TICKIT V1.0 is a digital system experiment board with basic input and output elements like logic level
switches with LED indicators, single LEDs, 7-segment LED displays and a flexible multifunctional clock pulse
generator.

Figure 1.1: Digital System KIT package.

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1.1 Package Contents

Figure 1.2: The Digital System KIT package contents.

The The Digital System KIT package includes:

• The Digital System board.

• Digital System KIT catalog.

• A screwdriver.

• A 12V DC power adapter.

1.2 Getting help

Here are the address where you can get help if you encounter any problems:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ticklab.vn
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.ticklab.vn/dskit

1.1. PACKAGE CONTENTS 6

Chapter 2

Introduction to The Digital System

KIT

2.1 Layout and Components

Figure 2.1: Digital System KIT’s top view

2.2 Functional blocks

The Digital System KIT includes 7 functional blocks with each role as follows:
• Power block: Power for the whole board and student’s circuit.
• Switch block: Includes large switches used to generate logic levels for circuit testing. Each switch goes
with a LED indicator indicating its corresponding logic level. A bright LED means that the logic level is
HIGH and vice versa.

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 Figure 2.2: Function BLocks on Digital System Board

• Key block: Generates logic levels corresponding to the key presses. Key 0 is normally HIGH, and Key 1
is normal LOW
• Single LED block: It Includes eight single LEDs that can display the levels of 8 different logic signals.
• 7-segment LED block: Includes two 7-segment LED displays to show up to 2 BCD values.
• Clock Pulse Generator: Includes three keys, a trimmer, an output’s pin and an LCD enabling configur-
ing the clock pulse generator (CPG). The CPG can work in many modes described in detail later in this
document.

2.3 Getting started

Before being able to do an experiment with any logic circuits, the board must be powered. The Power Block
provides power for the entire KIT and the logic circuit being tested. First, let’s check what is in the Power
Block:

• A DC barrel jack used to connect the board with a 12V Power Adapter.
• A power switch used to turn the board ON or OFF.
• Power Module HW-468: The DC-DC converter module converts the 12V voltage from
the power adapter to the 5V line used for the KIT and the circuit being tested with the
KIT.
• The 3A fuse protects the KIT if a short circuit occurs.
• Power Header: Source the power to the circuit being tested.

2.3. GETTING STARTED 8

 Figure 2.3: Power module HW-468

(a) Fuse holder

(b) Fuse tube

Figure 2.4: Fuse holder and fuse tube

Figure 2.5: 5V header and GND header

9 CHAPTER 2. INTRODUCTION TO THE DIGITAL SYSTEM KIT

 The steps to power the KIT:
1. Make sure a 3A fuse tube is properly inserted.

(a) Open the fuse box (b) Insert a 3A fuse tube into the fuse holder

(c) Make sure the tube is held in the correct position (d) Put on the fuse’s cover

Figure 2.6: Insert a fuse tube into the KIT

2. Connect the power adapter to the power jack on the KIT, then turn on the power switch.

(a) Plug in power adapter (b) Turn the power switch on

Figure 2.7: Turn on the KIT

3. As soon as the board is powered up, the self-test shall start.

4. The LCD will displays as shown in Figure 2.8a

5. The amber LEDs and 7-segment displays will be blinking at 2Hz during the self-test so you can detect
early if any LEDs are dead.
To ensure the KIT was properly powered, measure the voltage output at the power headers with a VOM
meter.

• Switch the VOM meter to the DC voltage measuring mode with a suitable range.

2.3. GETTING STARTED 10

 (a) LCD self-test (b) LED self-test

Figure 2.8: The self-test period after power-on

• Put the black probe lead of the VOM meter to the GND pins of the KIT.
• Put the red probe lead of the VOM meter to the 5V pins of the KIT.
• If the read voltage is approximately 5V, the KIT was properly powered.

Figure 2.9: Measure the KIT’s power voltage with a VOM meter

11 CHAPTER 2. INTRODUCTION TO THE DIGITAL SYSTEM KIT

2.4 Reset the KIT
At the bottom-left corner of the KIT, there is a Reset button used to restart the KIT in case of firmware failure,
or the user wants to restore the power-up default operating parameters.

Figure 2.10: The Reset button

2.5 Skip the self-test

As soon as the KIT is powered or reset, the self-test will start as described in Section 2.3. You may quickly
skip it by pressing one of the keys, either KEY_A, KEY_B, or KEY_C.

Figure 2.11: Press any key to leave self-test mode

2.4. RESET THE KIT 12

Chapter 3

Using the Digital System KIT

This chapter provides a closer guide to using the Digital System KIT in your experiments. We are introducing
some of the KIT’s functional blocks again in more detail and how to use them.

3.1 Switch Block

This block is a major functional block of the board where you can create logic levels for your circuit testing.
When a switch is at the position 0, the logic level measured at the corresponding header will be LOW, and
the corresponding LED indicator will be off. When it is switched to the position 1, the corresponding LED
indicator will be bright, indicating that the measured logic level at the corresponding header is now HIGH.

The Switch Block includes the following main components:

• Switch Header: Where you can connect the logic levels created with the switches SW0
- SW7 to the logic circuit being tested.

Figure 3.1: Switch header

• Switches (SW0-SW7): The interface for the logic levels setting. Each switch goes along
with a green LEDs indicator indicating the corresponding logic level. A bright LED
indicates a HIGH logic level, and a turned-off LED indicates a LOW logic level.
To examine whether a switch works properly or not, we can measure the voltage level at the corresponding
header, as shown in Figure 3.3
• Figure 3.3a shows the voltage level corresponding to a HIGH logic level (When the
switch is at the position 1).
• Figure 3.3b shows the voltage level corresponding to a LOW logic level (When the
switch is at the position 0).

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 (a) The SW7 is at the position 0 (off ) (b) The SW7 is at the position 1 (on)

Figure 3.2: Using switches on the Digital System KIT

(a) HIGH voltage level (b) LOW voltage level

Figure 3.3: Logic level measurement with a VOM meter

3.2 Single LED Block

Every single amber LED in this block may be used to display the level of a logic signal. When a LED is bright,
it indicates that the logic level connected with its corresponding header pin is HIGH and vice versa.

The LEDs Block includes the following main components:

• LEDs (LED0-LED7): Lights up when high logic is applied. Lights down when low logic
is applied.

Figure 3.4: LED array

• LED Header: Where you will connect the logic signal whose level you want to display
on the corresponding amber LED.

3.2. SINGLE LED BLOCK 14

 Figure 3.5: LED header (LED0 − LED7 ))

Figure 3.6: The LEDs are bright when their corresponding headers are connected to the HIGH level

Note: Remember to change system mode before using the LED function and other input-output blocks.
Section 3.5 will explain this in detail.

15 CHAPTER 3. USING THE DIGITAL SYSTEM KIT

3.3 Key Block
Besides the switches, the Digital System KIT also provides keys for logic levels generation.

The Key Block includes the following main components:

• Keys (KEY0-KEY1): Key 0 is normally HIGH. When the Key 0 isn’t pressed, it produces
a HIGH logic level at its corresponding header pin, and vice versa, it produces a LOW
logic level when pressed. However, Key 1 works oppositely; it is normally LOW and
produces a HIGH logic level at the corresponding header pin only when pressed.

Figure 3.7: Key 0 and Key 1 for logic levels generation

• Key Header: Where you will connect the logic levels created with corresponding keys
to the logic circuit being tested.

Figure 3.8: KEY 0 produces a LOW logic level when pressed and maintains HIGH when released.

3.3. KEY BLOCK 16

 Figure 3.9: KEY 1 produces a HIGH logic level when pressed and maintains LOW when released.

3.4 7-Segment LED Block

Each 7-segment LED display in this block can display a BCD value connected to the BCD Headers with the
support of the decoder ICs 7447 or directly controlled by the Segment Headers.

The 7-Segment LED Block includes the following main components:

• Each displays one decimal digit (0 - 9) corresponding to the decoded BCD value con-
nected to the BCD header or corresponding to the separate segments’ direct control
signals connected to the Header Segments.

Figure 3.10: Two 7-Segment LEDs and built-in IC 7446 on the digital system board

• IC 7447 (U2-U3): Decoder IC dedicated to 7-segment LED, converting from BCD code
to 7-segment LED code.
• BCD Header: Where to connect the BCD bits to the decoder IC. BCD codes then will
be decoded into 7-segment codes and displayed on the 7-segment LED display. Note
that header pins are normally pulled up to 1 by default. Therefore, for the correct display
of a BCD value, it’s highly recommended that all 4 bits must be connected.

17 CHAPTER 3. USING THE DIGITAL SYSTEM KIT

 Figure 3.11: BCD header

• Segment Header: Provide direct control signals for each segment of 7-Segment LEDs.
Before using this header, make sure you have removed the decoder ICs 7447 to avoid any
output conflicts which may cause a short circuit.

Figure 3.12: Direct connect 7-segment header

Using 7-segment with BCD header:

• When left unconnected, the BCD header pins maintain a logic level of 1 (HIGH) due to
the pull-up resistors.
• Connect BCD1_D and BCD1_C pin to GND, 7-segment LED1 will display number 3.

• Connect BCD0_C, BCD0_B and BCD0_A pin to GND, 7-segment LED0 will display
number 8.
• See Figure 3.13 for more detail

3.4. 7-SEGMENT LED BLOCK 18

 Figure 3.13: Using BCD header to display 7-segment LEDs

Using 7-segment with segment header:

• Make sure that you don’t forget to remove the decoder ICs 7447 from its sockets before
using the Segment Header, or else you may cause a short circuit.
• As same as the BCD header pins, the Segment header pins have their pull-up resistors
preventing the pins from being floating. The Segment header pins are active low. So
you have to connect the corresponding pin to a segment to HIGH if you want to turn
that segment on.

Figure 3.14: Remove the decoder ICs 7447 before using Segment header

• As shown in Figure3.15, SEG0_F pin is applied a LOW logic level so the f-segment LED
of SEG_0 is turned on.

19 CHAPTER 3. USING THE DIGITAL SYSTEM KIT

 Figure 3.15: Apply 0V to the pin associated with LED segment f of SEG0

3.5 Clock Pulse generator

The CLOCK Pulse Generator provides users with two main features: CLOCK generating and single pulse gener-
ating. In the clock generation mode, the output CLOCK pulse may be varied in frequency and duty cycle. And
in the single pulse generation mode, the pulse may be either a positive-going pulse or a negative-going pulse.
The interface of the CLOCK Pulse Generator includes three large keys and a rotary potentiometer making ease
of adjustment.

Figure 3.16: CLOCK header

The CLOCK Pulse Generator includes the following main components:

• KEY_A, KEY_B, KEY_C, Potentiometer: Control component used for mode switching,
menu swapping, or configuring parameters.

3.5. CLOCK PULSE GENERATOR 20

 Figure 3.17: An example of a CLOCK signal generated by the CPG

Figure 3.18: CPG keys and potentiometer

Figure 3.19: The LCD displays the operation modes and operating parameters.

• 16x02 text LCD: Displays operation modes and operating parameters.

21 CHAPTER 3. USING THE DIGITAL SYSTEM KIT

The two operation modes of the CLOCK Pulse Generator:

AUTO-GENERATED CLOCK MODE

As soon as KIT is started and the self-test is completed or ignored, the CPG will operate in Auto-generated
CLOCK Mode by default. In this mode, a CLOCK signal is continuously generated with configurable frequency
and duty cycle. Figure 3.20 depicts the first screen after the CPG started up properly.

Figure 3.20: The CPG’s first screen after startup

The functions of the components are as follows:

Component Description
KEY_A Switch between the Frequency and Resolution custom mode
KEY_B Increase operating frequency/resolution
KEY_C Decrease operating frequency/resolution
POTENTIOMETEr Rotate to customize duty cycle

Switching between Frequency & Resolution modification

In this auto-generated mode, the duty cycle is adjusted by the potentiometer. As for customizing the frequency
& resolution, we need to switch between either of them by pressing KEY_A to make changes separately.

(a) Frequency Modification Mode (b) Resolution Modification Mode

Figure 3.21: Switching between Frequency & Resolution modification

3.5. CLOCK PULSE GENERATOR 22

Modify Frequency
After the reset, the default frequency is initially at 1Hz. Depending on the specific experiment, the frequency
can take in the value of 1Hz, 2Hz, 4Hz, 8Hz, 16Hz, 32Hz, 64Hz, 128Hz, 256Hz, 512Hz, or 1024Hz. In detail,
the users can increase or decrease this value by pressing KEY_B or KEY_C, respectively after entering the
frequency modification mode (refer to Figure 3.21b).

Modify Resolution & Duty Cycle

Each adjustment to the potentiometer results in a corresponding discrete change of the duty cycle by 1%, 2%,
4%, 5%, or 10%. This amount of increment/decrement is called the resolution, which suggests that we can
adjust the duty cycle by X% for each tweak of the potentiometer. The default resolution is set to 10% (which
means we can either increase or decrease the duty cycle by 10% for each rotation), however, this value can be
modified as follows. After entering the resolution custom mode (refer to Figure 3.21a), we can either increase
or decrease it by pressing KEY_B or KEY_C, accordingly.

The CLOCK duty cycle varies from 0 to 100%, which can be tuned to a preferable value by rotating the poten-
tiometer; clockwise rotation increases the duty cycle and vice versa. The amount of change for each tweak
is defined by the resolution value. In addition, since this parameter depends on the potentiometer’s position,
after each reset, the duty cycle will take the previous value and round it to the nearest ten (because the default
resolution after reconfiguring is 10%).

Figure 3.22: Pressing KEY_A until "Change mode.." disappears from screen

To change to Manually-generated Single Pulse Mode, press and hold KEY_A until the signal "Change
Mode.." completely disappears from LCD screen and switches to the desirable mode. (refer to Figure 3.22)

MANUALLY-GENERATED SINGLE PULSE MODE

As the name suggested, the CLOCK signal is manually generated by pressing KEY_C. With each and every
press, the CLOCK will trigger a pulse (negative-going or positive-going, depending on your configuration).

In this manual CLOCK generating mode, the initial CLOCK duration of 1ms is displayed on the LCD screen.
This parameter increases from 1ms to 10ms, 100ms, and up to 500ms by pressing KEY_B.

23 CHAPTER 3. USING THE DIGITAL SYSTEM KIT

 Figure 3.23: The CPG’s initial screen at Manually-generated Single Pulse Mode

Rising-Edge CLOCK generating mode

As aforementioned, CLOCK pulse may either be a positive-going pulse or a negative-going pulse, and we can
switch between modes by pushing KEY_A. As for the Positive Pulse mode, the pulse continuously assigned
the value to LOW. However, when we provide it with an input (by pressing the button, KEY_C in this case),
it will produce a rising-edge to HIGH for a duration of the CLOCK.

The functions of the components are as follows:

Component Description
KEY_A Switch between the Positive-edge and Negative-edge CLOCK generating mode
KEY_B Increase pulse duration
KEY_C Generate a rising edge for the CLOCK signal (Positive Pulse mode)
POTENTIOMETER No effect

Falling-Edge CLOCK generating mode

An opposite principle applies to the Negative Pulse mode. The pulse continuously assigned to HIGH. However,
when we provide it with an input (by pressing the button, KEY_C in this case), it will produce a falling-edge
to LOW for a duration of the CLOCK.

The functions of the components are as follows:

Component Description
KEY_A Switch between the Positive-edge and Negative-edge CLOCK generating mode
KEY_B Increase pulse duration
KEY_C Generate a falling edge for the CLOCK signal (Negative Pulse mode)
POTENTIOMETER No effect

To change to Auto-generating CLOCK mode, press and hold KEY_A until the signal "Change Mode.." com-
pletely disappear from LCD screen and switch to the desirable mode. (refer to Figure 3.22)

3.5. CLOCK PULSE GENERATOR 24

Chapter 4

Appendix

4.1 Revision History

Version Change Log
V1.0 Initial Version

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