Learning Outcome

an ability to analyze and design computer logic circuits

Learning Objectives

1. compare and contrast three different signed number notations: sign and magnitude, diminished radix, and radix
2. convert a number from one signed notation to another
3. describe how to perform sign extension of a number represented using any of the three notation schemes
4. perform radix addition and subtraction
5. describe the various conditions of interest following an arithmetic operation: overflow, carry/borrow, negative, zero
6. describe the operation of a half-adder and write equations for its sum (S) and carry (C) outputs
7. describe the operation of a full adder and write equations for its sum (S) and carry (C) outputs
8. design a “population counting” or “vote counting” circuit using an array of half-adders and/or fulladders
9. design an N-digit radix adder/subtractor circuit with condition codes
10. design a (signed or unsigned) magnitude comparator circuit that determines if A=B, A<B, or A>B
11. describe the operation of a carry look-ahead (CLA) adder circuit, and compare its performance to that of a ripple adder circuit
12. define the CLA propagate (P) and generate (G) functions, and show how they can be realized using a half-adder
13. write the equation for the carry out function of an arbitrary CLA bit position
14. draw a diagram depicting the overall organization of a CLA
15. determine the worst case propagation delay incurred by a practical (PLD-based) realization of a CLA
16. describe how a “group ripple” adder can be constructed using N-bit CLA blocks
17. describe the operation of an unsigned multiplier array constructed using full adders
18. determine the full adder arrangement and organization (rows/diagonals) needed to construct an NxM-bit unsigned multiplier array
19. determine the worst case propagation delay incurred by a practical (PLD-based) realization of an NxM-bit unsigned multiplier array
20. describe the operation of a binary coded decimal (BCD) “correction circuit”
21. design a BCD full adder circuit
22. design a BCD N-digit radix (base 10) adder/subtractor circuit
23. define computer architecture, programming model, and instruction set
24. describe the top-down specification, bottom-up implementation strategy as it pertains to the design of a computer
25. describe the characteristics of a “two address machine”
26. describe the contents of memory: program, operands, results of calculations
27. describe the format and fields of a basic machine instruction (opcode and address)
28. describe the purpose/function of each basic machine instruction (LDA, STA, ADD, SUB, AND, HLT)
29. define what is meant by “assembly-level” instruction mnemonics
30. draw a diagram of a simple computer, showing the arrangement and interconnection of each functional block