Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

CCOG for MT 121A Spring 2024

View archive version »
Course Number:
MT 121A
Course Title:
Digital Electronics Intro
Credit Hours:
2
Lecture Hours:
10
Lecture/Lab Hours:
20
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Explores digital logic circuits built with logic gates such as NAND, NOR, and their derivatives. Emphasizes troubleshooting logic circuits using the signal tracing method. Enhances skills with basic electronic test instruments and circuit troubleshooting in the context of digital logic circuit interpretation and design. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Prerequisites/concurrent: MT 106 or MTH 65, or any course for which MTH 65 is a prerequisite, or equivalent placement. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

The course will include a variety of learning activities. The lecture portion of the course will include instructor delivered lectures and demonstrations stressing the key topics. 
The laboratory portion of the course is intended to enhance skills such as the operation of basic electronic test instruments, circuit troubleshooting, and teamwork. For each lab experiment the students will have to write a formal report.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Construct, test, and troubleshoot combinational logic circuits.
  • Operate electronic test equipment such as multimeters, power supplies, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
  • Read and interpret technical documentation such as schematic diagrams and device data sheets.

Aspirational Goals

To help students develop their logic and critical thinking.

Course Activities and Design

The course will include a variety of learning activities. The lecture portion of the course will include instructor-delivered lectures and demonstrations stressing the key topics. 
The laboratory portion of the course is intended to enhance skills such as the operation of basic electronic test instruments, circuit troubleshooting, and teamwork. For each lab experiment, the students will have to write a formal report.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Homework, one midterm, one final exam, and lab reports for most of the lab experiments should be expected.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

1.0 Numeration Binary Systems

1.1 Count in binary.
1.2 Given a number in the decimal, or binary, identify the positional weight of each digit in the number.
1.3 Convert a binary number to its decimal equivalent.
1.4 Convert a decimal number to its binary equivalent.

2.0  Logic Gates

2.1 Draw and identify the positive logic and the DeMorgan equivalent symbol for each of the basic logic gates: AND, OR, NOT, NAND and NOR gates.
2.2 Truth table for each basic logic gate.
2.3 Write a Boolean expression for the positive logic symbol and for the DeMorgan equivalent symbol for each basic logic gate.
2.4 Given the input signals (static and time-varying), draw the corresponding output signal for each basic logic gate.

3.0 Combinational Logic Circuits Using SSI Devices

3.1 Given a schematic diagram for a combinational logic circuit, write a Boolean expression that describes the function of the circuit.
3.2 Given a schematic diagram using positive logic, analyze the operation of the circuit by determining signals at all intermediate test points and at all circuit outputs.
3.3 Given a schematic diagram, analyze the circuit and describe the circuit's operation in truth table form.
3.4 Given a schematic diagram and an input-output timing diagram, determine the probable cause of the circuit malfunction, isolating the trouble to the gate level.
3.5 Given a schematic diagram, prototype the circuit on a solderless breadboard.
3.6 Test and verify the proper operation of a combinational logic circuit made from basic logic gates.