Stellenbosch University Faculty of Engineering
Module Framework
© Copyright reserved: Stellenbosch University
This document should be read with the following documents:
Stellenbosch University Calendar Parts 1 and 11.
Faculty of Engineering Assessment Rules1
Faculty of Engineering General Stipulations for Undergraduate Modules1
Module: 36153-214 Lecturer(s): Approved by Programme
Computer Systems Dr WD Duckitt,
[email protected] Coordinator:
Internal moderator: Dr A Barnard
2025 Date: 6/2/2025
1 Assessment Details
Major assessment dates and venues are provided at firga.sun.ac.za and my.sun.ac.za
Method of assessment as indicated in the Calendar Part 11
Note that awarding a pass mark is subject to meeting each ECSA Graduate Attribute assessed in this module, as stated in
Faculty of Engineering’s Assessment Rules
Calculation of final marks (according to formulas in the Faculty of Engineering’s Assessment Rules):
wSM = 10%; wA1 =40%; w A2=50%
SM=average(Practicals)
Assessment format:
Major assessments (A1, A2 and A3) will be invigilated sit-down examinations
2 Notional Hours
You should spend 10 notional hours per credit on this module over the course of the semester.
It is envisaged that these hours will be allocated as follows:
Activity Contact Hours Self-study Hours
Lectures 36 x 0.83h (50 minutes each) = 30 30
Tutorials/Practicals 10 x 3h = 30 25
Main assessments 5 30
Total (for this 15-credit module) 150
3 Language of Tuition
The language of tuition in this module is according to the Faculty's approved Language Implementation Plan. Please refer
to the website of the Engineering Faculty for the particulars.
The module is presented according to the format 7.1.3, as described in the Appendix of the Faculty's Language
Implementation Plan.
1
Available on StemLearn for modules offered by Faculty of Engineering, in the block titled "General Programme
Information" on the side of the screen
2
See point 3.1.4 the Faculty of Engineering Assessment Rules about access to assessment opportunities.
4 Module Objectives
Aim: Mastering the basic aspects of the analysis and design of digital circuits.
A student who has successfully completed this module can:
Use Boolean algebra to perform Boolean operations
Understand and apply the underlying principles of number systems
Understand and design combinational and sequential digital circuits on a gate and register level
Analyse and design finite state machines
Design a basic microprocessor and evaluate the pros and cons of different microarchitectures.
Write basic assembly language programs by using the ARM instruction set.
Prior knowledge required:
This module is part of the Computer Systems module chain. It relies on knowledge obtained in Computer Programming
143.
Proceeding application:
The knowledge developed in this module is applied further in Computer Systems 245, Design (E) 314, and Computer
Systems 414.
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5 Module Content and Schedule
Prescribed textbook(s): Harris S, Harris D. Digital design and computer architecture: ARM edition. Morgan Kaufmann; 2015.
Week Topic F2F Contact Session/Assignments
1 Digital logic, number systems and binary arithmetic Tutorial/Practical 1
2 Floating point numbers, Logic gates, CMOS Tutorial/Practical 2
3 Combination logic, Boolean equations, logic synthesis Tutorial/Practical 3
4 Logic circuit optimization with Karnaugh Maps, combinational building blocks (Multiplexers, decoders, etc.) Tutorial/Practical 4
5 Latches and flip-flops, Tutorial/Practical 5
6 Finite state machines None
Test Week & Break
7 Arithmetic circuits (adders, subtractors, comparators, ALU, etc.), Programmable logic, FPGAs, VHDL Tutorial/Practical 6
8 Introduction to ARM and assembly language programming Tutorial/Practical 7
9 Machine instructions Tutorial/Practical 8
10 Compiling, assembling and loading. Evolution of ARM architecture Tutorial/Practical 9
11 Microarchitectures, Single cycle processor Tutorial/Practical 10
12 Multicycle and pipeline processors None (Concession)
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6 ECSA Knowledge Area Credits
Mathematical Natural Sciences Engineering Design and Complementary
Sciences Sciences Synthesis Studies
0 0 10 5 0
Engineering Sciences:
Content: Boolean algebra; combinational and sequential circuit analysis and design; state machines; central processing
unit; assembler language programming.
Assessment: Assessed in tests
Design and Synthesis:
Content: Design and implementation of digital circuits and assembler language programming
Assessment: Assessed in tests and practicals
7 ECSA Graduate Attributes
This module is not used to assess any ECSA Graduate Attributes.
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8 Other Module Specific Information
7.1 General
• All announcements regarding the module will be made via StemLearn. This will be
the definitive source of information.
7.2 Lectures
• Lectures will be conducted in person in the allocated lecture halls.
7.3 Practicals
• Practical sessions are on Friday afternoons from 14:00 to 17:00 in the E&E labs
• The completion of practicals is compulsory.
• Evaluation of practicals is electronic and/or by means of a report
• There will be 10 practical assignments. The lowest two practical marks will be discarded.
• If you miss a practical submission for whatever reason, you will be awarded a mark of zero
for that practical.
• All practicals are done individually unless otherwise stipulated.
• All assignments will be tested for plagiarism. Students found guilty of plagiarism will face
disciplinary action.
7.4 A1, A2 and A3 Tests
• Study material for A1, A2 and A3 tests are contained in the prescribed text book and study
and other reference material provided on StemLearn.
• The A1, A2 and A3 tests will be in-person invigilated, and will be in an online format
(StemLearn quiz). Parts of the A1, A2 and A3 test will require you to write, debug and
submit source code.
• Only prescribed pocket calculators may be used during tests.
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Universiteit Stellenbosch Fakulteit Ingenieurswese
Moduleraamwerk
© Kopiereg voorbehou: Universiteit Stellenbosch
Hierdie dokument moet saam met die volgende dokumente gelees word:
➢ Universiteit Stellenbosch Jaarboek Dele 1 en 11.
➢ Fakulteit Ingenieurswese Assesseringsreglement1
➢ Fakulteit Ingenieurswese Algemene Bepalings vir Voorgraadse Modules1
`Module: 36153-214 Dosent(e): Goedgekeur deur
Programkoördineerder
Rekenaarstelsels Dr WD Duckitt,
[email protected] 214 Dr T Ebrahim,
[email protected] 2025 Interne moderator: Dr A Barnard Datum: 6/2/2025
1 Assesseringsbesonderhede
➢ Hoof-assesserings se datums en lokale word op firga.sun.ac.za en my.sun.ac.za gegee
➢ Metode van assessering word in die Jaarboek Deel 11 gegee
➢ Let op dat die toekenning van 'n slaagpunt onderhewig is aan die behaling van elkeen van die ECSA Uittreevlak-
Uitkomste wat in hierdie module geassesseer word, soos gestel in die Fakulteit Ingenieurswese
Assesseringsreglement
Berekening van prestasiepunt (volgens die formules in die Fakulteit Ingenieurswese Assesseringsreglement):
wSM = 10%; wA1 =40%; w A2=50%
SP=gemiddeld(Praktika)
Assesseringsformaat:
➢ Hoof assesserings (A1, A2, en A3) gaan in persoon en onder toesig plaasvind
2 Veronderstelde ure
➢ Jy is veronderstel om 10 ure per krediet op hierdie module te spandeer deur die loop van die semester.
➢ Die vooruitsig is dat die ure as volg allokeer word:
Aktiwiteit Kontak Ure Self-studie Ure
Lesings 36 lesings x 0.83h (50 minute elk) = 30 30
Tutoriale/Praktika 10 x 3h = 30 25
Hoofassesserings 5 30
Totaal (vir hierdie 15-krediet module) 150
3 Onderrigtaal
➢ Die onderrigtaal in hierdie module word ingerig volgens die Fakulteit se goedgekeurde Taalimplementeringsplan.
Verwys asseblief na die Ingenieursfakulteit se webwerf vir nadere besonderhede.
➢ Die module word aangebied volgens die formaat 7.1.3, soos beskryf in die Aanhangsel van die Fakulteit se
Taalimplementeringsplan.
1
Beskikbaar op StemLearn vir modules wat deur die Fakulteit Ingenieurswese aangebied word, in die blok met
die titel "Algemene Programinligting" aan die kant van die skerm.
2
Sien punt 3.1.4 in die Fakulteit Ingenieurswese Assesseringsreglement oor toegang tot assesseringsgeleenthede.
4 Module-doelwitte
Doelwit: Om die basiese aspekte van die analise en ontwerp van digitale bane te bemeester
'n Student wat hierdie module voltooi het, kan:
➢ Boolese algebra gebruik om Boolese bewerkings uit te voer
➢ Die onderliggende beginsels van getallestelsels verstaan en toepas
➢ Basiese digitale kombinasie- en sekwensiebane op hek- en registervlak verstaan en ontwerp
➢ Eindige-toestandmasjiene analiseer en ontwerp
➢ Basiese mikroverwerker ontwerp doen en die voor en nadele van verskillende mikroargitekture opweeg.
➢ Basiese saamsteltaal programme skryf deur van die ARM instruksiestel gebruik te maak
Voorkennis benodig:
➢ Hierdie module is deel van die rekenaarstelsel-moduleketting. Dit berus op kennis wat in Rekenaarprogrammering
143 verkry is.
Voortgaande toepassing:
➢ Die kennis wat in hierdie module ontwikkel is, word verder toegepas in Rekenaarstelsels 245, Ontwerp (E) 314 en
Rekenaarstelsels 414.
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5 Module-inhoud en Aanbiedingsplan
Voorgeskrewe handboek(e): Harris S, Harris D. Digital design and computer architecture: ARM edition. Morgan Kaufmann; 2015.
Week Onderwerp F2F Kontaksessies/Werkstukke
1 Digitale logika, getallestelsels en binêre rekenkunde Tutoriaal/Prakties 1
2 Wisselpuntgetalle, logiese hekke, CMOS Tutoriaal/Prakties 2
3 Kombinasie logika, Boolse vergelykings, logika sintese Tutoriaal/Prakties 3
4 Logika stroombaanoptimalisering met Karnaugh diagramme, kombinasie boublokke (multiplexers, dekodeerders, ens.) Tutoriaal/Prakties 4
5 Grendels en wipkringe Tutoriaal/Prakties 5
6 Eindige-toestandmasjiene Geen
Toetsweek & Breek
7 Rekenkundige stroombane (optellers, aftrekkers, vergelykers, RLE, ens.), Programmeerbare logika, FPGA’s, VHDL Tutoriaal/Prakties 6
8 Inleiding tot ARM en saamsteltaal programmeering Tutoriaal/Prakties 7
9 Masjien instruksies Tutoriaal/Prakties 8
10 Kompileer, samestelling en laai. Evolusie van die ARM argitektuur. Tutoriaal/Prakties 9
11 Mikro-argitektuur, Enkel-siklus verwerker Tutoriaal/Prakties 10
12 Multi-siklus en pyplyn verwerkers Geen (Vergunning)
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6 Krediete in ECSA Kennisareas
Wiskundige Basiese Ingenieurs- Ontwerp en Komplementêre
Wetenskappe Wetenskappe wetenskappe Sintese Studies
0 0 10 5 0
Ingenieurswetenskap:
Inhoud: Beginsels van Boolese algebra, digitale logika, syferstelsels, toestandmasjiene, sentrale verwerkings eenheid,
saamsteltaal
Assessering: Word geassesseer in toetse
Ontwerp en Sintese:
Inhoud: Ontwerp en implementering van digitale bane en saamsteltaal programmering
Assessering: Word geassesseer in toetse en praktika
7 ECSA Eienskappe van Graduandi
Hier module assesseer geen ECSA Eienskappe van Graduandi nie.
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8 Ander Module-Spesifieke Inligting
7.1 Algemeen
• Alle aankondigings aangaande die module sal gemaak word op StemLearn. Dit is
die fundamentele bron van inligting.
7.2 Lesings
• Lesings sal in persoon plaasvind in die voorgeskryfde lokale.
7.3 Praktika
• Praktika sessies is op Vrydae middae vanaf 14:00 tot 17:00 in die E&E labratoriums
• Die voltooi van praktika is verpligtend.
• Assessering van praktika is elektronies en/of deur middel van ‘n verslag.
• Daar sal 10 praktika asseserings wees. Die laagste twee praktika punte sal verwysder word in
die berekening.
• Indien jy ‘n praktika inhandiging gemis het, vir enige rede, sal jy nul kry vir die praktika.
• Alle praktika sal individueel gedoen behalwe indien indien anders gespesifiseer word.
• Alle opdragte gaan getoets word vir plgiaat. Studente wat skuldig bevind word vir plagiaat
sal dissipliner verhoor word.
7.4 A1, A2 en A3 Toets
• Studiemateriaal vir A1, A2 and A3 toetse word bevat in die voorgeskrewe boek en ander
studiemateriaal beskikbaar op StemLearn.
• Die A1, A2 en A3 toetse sal in persoon en onder toesig, en op ‘n aanlyn formaat
(StemLearn quiz) gebeur. Dele van die A1, A2 en A3 toets sal van jou verlang word om
kode te skryf, te ontfout en kode in te handig.
• Slegs voorgeskryfde sakrekenaars word toegelaat tydens die toetse.
