ECE 272: Digital Logic Laboratory

Prerequisites: A Basic TekBot

The TekBots platform is used in ECE 272: Digital Logic Lab, a freshman level digital design course. Through the labs the platform teaches both combinational and simple sequential designs. Some examples of projects are a remotely operated vehicle and a semi-intelligent autonomous robot.

The following lab files require Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing.

Useful Links:

Laboratory Manual - Spring 2009

Laboratory Manual - Spring 2008

Preface

Section 1 - Logic with 7400-series chips
This section covers the basics of discrete logic chips (TTL) and using switches and buttons in a digital system.

Useful Links:
MM74HC08 2 Input 'AND' Gates
MM74HC32 2 Input 'OR' Gates
MM74HC86 2 Input 'XOR' Gates
HLMP17XX Led Family
MC78LXXA/LM78LXXA/MC78L05AA 3-Terminal 0.1A Positive Voltage Regulator

Section 2 - Basic Combinational Logic and the d_logic Board
In the last section simple combinational logic was experiment with using 7400 series discrete logic integrated circuits. In this section the d_logic board is introduced as and easier more versatile way of realizing digital logic devices.

Useful Links:
XC9500XL High-Performance CPLD Family Datasheet
XC9572XL High-Performance CPLD (More Specific to ECE 272)
usb_prog.1: Errata for Programming d_logic.x

Section 3 - Combinational Systems: Custom Remote Control
Remotely operate vehicles (ROVs) are making it easier and safer to explore many area of our world and places not on our world. This burgeoning field is tightly coupled with robotics, mechanical engineering, and computer science. In this section you will design a ROV to meet a set criteria of operation.

Section 4 - Combinational Systems: Binary to Seven Segment Display Encoder
There are many different types of 'standard' combinational systems. In this section we will look at the binary to 7-segment display encoder. This combinational logic block is used widely in electronics to display numbers and some limited text in electronic applications ranging from exercise equipment to industrial controls.

Useful Links:
XC9572 Datasheet
74HC573 OCTAL TRANSPARENT D-TYPE LATCH Datasheet
MAN6900 Series Seven Segment Display Datasheet

Section 5 - Sequential Systems: Remote Control Robot with Memory
In this section you will be improving the functionality of the system in the previous section. The addition of some simple memory elements will allow for easier control of the ROV.

Section 6 - Sequential Systems: State Machines
State machines are the basis of most modern computing systems, and digital control systems. This section covers the basics of state machines and the design of a simple machine for use with our TekBot platform.

Section 7 - Design Project: Semi-autonomous Remote Controlled Vehicle
Combining the flexibility of user control from the ROV and the emergency self guidance from the pervious section will create a platform that can both perform selected tasks, and at the same time protect itself if the user neglects the platform and it runs into something.

Section 8 - Design Project: Wireless Remote
Wired remote control is not always practical depending on the problem being solved. The d_logic board you have has an infrared (IR) send and receive pair. These components/circuits allow the board to generate IR light and decode IR light into digital logic signals. Using two boards, one on the TekBot and one as the remote, you can control the TekBot wirelessly.

Appendix - d_logic.1 System Overview

• d_logic.1 System Overview
• Schematics
• Silk Screens and Pinouts
• Parts List
• Errata
• Suppliers