107112 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

Subject type: Basic

Coordinator: Adso Fernández Baena

Trimester: First term

Credits: 6

• Complementary materials may also be in English
• The bibliography may be in English

The aim of this course is to study the basics of logical design, digital systems design and computer design. Thus, we will start with the basics of Boolean logic to end up designing the most important blocks of a microprocessor. The most important points are:

• Combinational and sequential systems
• General purpose processors, RISC processor.
• Machine language and assembler of a RISC processor. Structure of the logical space of a program
• Programming in processor assembly language (RISC and CISC) and link to high-level languages

This subject has methodological and digital resources to make possible its continuity in non-contact mode in the case of being necessary for reasons related to the Covid-19. In this way, the achievement of the same knowledge and skills that are specified in this teaching plan will be ensured.

The Tecnocampus will make available to teachers and students the digital tools needed to carry out the course, as well as guides and recommendations that facilitate adaptation to the non-contact mode.

At a general level, this subject contributes to the following learning outcomes specified for the subject to which Architecture, operating systems and computer networks belong:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories related to computer science and its reference disciplines
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the internal workings of a computer and the workings of communications between computers
• Appropriately use theories, procedures and tools in the professional development of computer engineering in all its areas (specification, design, implementation, deployment, implementation and evaluation of products) so as to demonstrate an understanding of the commitments made in the design decisions
• Team project development
• Understand and use manuals, product specifications and other technical information effectively written in English

At a more specific level, at the end of the course the student must be able to:

• LO1: Define conventional numbering systems in base b for the representation of natural numbers. Change the representation of a natural number on base 2, 10 or 16 to another base
• LO2: Explain what a combinational logic circuit is. Specify the truth table of each of the basic logic gates (NOT, AND, OR, and XOR) and the multiplexer and decoder blocks. Analyze combinational circuits
• LO3: Explain what a sequential circuit is (general case of Mealy and particular case of Moore). Explain the operation of a flank-activated bistable D and its internal logic diagram using two multiplexers.
• LO4: Explain in their own words the operation of a Von Neuman type computer: its internal structure at the level of the processor, bus, memory and input / output subsystems and execution of a machine language program.
• LO5: Explain the most relevant differences between the machine language of RISC and CISC computers. Realization of small programs in assembly language 

Guided learning hours include:

• Theoretical / practical classes in large groups in which the teacher introduces the contents of the subject and teaching activities are carried out that seek to make the student an active protagonist in the acquisition of their knowledge.
• The activities that are practical are carried out in teams of two people. These practical activities will be carried out both in classes with small groups and in classes with large groups (all students).
• The final objective is that the student acquires the knowledge of the subject through activities which can be small as more complete projects where the knowledge that is acquired throughout the course takes part. Within the hours of autonomous learning are considered the hours to prepare the theoretical classes, the hours to study and consolidate the acquired knowledge, the hours to prepare the work of the practices and, finally, the hours that the student can dedicate to increase and complement their knowledge on the subject.

This course, due to the situation generated by COVID, some of the large group sessions will be held in hybrid format: face-to-face and online (via streaming). This will allow students to rotate to face-to-face classes, respecting the maximum number of students per classroom imposed by the distance measures. When they are not in contact, they will be able to follow the class online from home.

With regard to internship sessions in smaller spaces (such as laboratories or studios), where appropriate, work will be carried out simultaneously in several spaces in order to ensure that the conditions established by the safety protocols are met.

T1: Introduction to computers

• Levels of abstraction in the study of a computer
• Evolution of computers
• Architecture by Von Neumann
• Programming languages
• Yield

T2. Bases and numbering systems

• Introduction to digital systems
• Numbering systems
• Binary arithmetic
• Boolean algebra

T3. Combinational logic circuits

• Logical gates.
• Encoders and decoders
• Multiplexers and demultiplexers
• Comparators
• Adding and subtracting circuits
• Multiplication circuit
• Arithmetic-logical units

T4. Sequential systems

• Asynchronous bistables
• Synchronous bistables
• Synchronous sequential circuits
• Finite state machine: Moore and Mealy models
• Analysis of synchronous sequential circuits
• Records and counters

T5. Microprocessors

• Structure of a digital system: data bus and control
• Structure of an elementary computer
• Operation of an elementary computer. Instructions

A series of eminently practical activities are made available to students, which are the basis of the learning activities of the subject. These activities will have to be solved by the students, sometimes in a non-contact way, following the instructions of the teachers and / or they will also be worked in class, either as examples in the theory sessions, or in laboratory sessions ( large or small groups). Although some of these activities could be optional (teachers will not individually verify the performance by students), they will be essential to achieve the theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject.

With the aim of gathering evidence of the achievement of the expected learning outcomes, the following activities of an evaluative nature will be carried out, related to the common, transversal and specific competences. The transversal competence associated with the subject of third language knowledge is worked from the documentary sources that the students have to consult (the great majority of the available documentation and that works is in English language)

1. Written test I:

• Individual test of practical application (resolution of exercises and problems) of the theoretical concepts and practical procedures of the first two blocks of the subject (Evidence of the results of the learning RA1, RA2)

2. Written test II: 

• Individual test of practical application (resolution of exercises and problems) of the theoretical concepts and practical procedures of the first two blocks of the subject (Evidence of the results of the learning RA3, RA4 and RA5)

3. Practices: 

• Combinational circuits (Evidence of learning outcomes RA2)
• Sequential circuits (Evidence of learning outcomes RA3) 
• Design Arithmetic-logic unit (Evidence of learning outcomes RA1, RA2)
• Machine and assembler language (Evidence of learning outcomes RA4 and RA5)
• Final challenge (Evidence of learning outcomes RA1 to RA5)

In relation to the basic competences assigned to the subject, these are covered especially with regard to the aspects that are explained:

• CB2: problem solving within their area of ​​study.

In relation to the specific competencies associated with the subject, these are covered especially for the aspects that are explained:

• EFB2: work on the concepts of digital electronic circuits and logic families with both written tests and practices where it is necessary to demonstrate knowledge of combinational and sequential circuits
• EFB5: works both with written tests and with practices and the challenge where it is necessary to demonstrate their knowledge of the basic structure of computer systems.

In relation to the transversal competences associated with the subject, these are covered especially with regard to the aspects that are explained:

• CT1: knowledge of the English language is worked from the documentary collections that students must consult, since most of them are mostly in English. All the written material of the subject (notes, problem statements, practice statements, ...) are distributed exclusively and only in English. The vehicular language of the subject is English.

• CT2: working as members of an interdisciplinary team is mostly worked on in practical activities, where management and shared responsibility is especially relevant

In relation to the common competences associated with the subject, these are covered especially with regard to the aspects that are explained:

• CIN9: work in a transversal way in the written tests of the subject, which work the most theoretical aspects, but also in the practical activities, because in each of them emphasis is placed on aspects of the structure and architecture of the systems

In order to pass (pass) the assessment activities, students must demonstrate:

• That they have acquired the theoretical knowledge related to the contents of the subject and that their understanding allows them to put them into practice [MECES-2 point a, point c]
• That they can develop solutions to problems that, although they may be similar to others seen above, present aspects that are new [MECES-2 point f]

Rules for carrying out the activities

• All activities are required to attend to be evaluated.
• Activities are mandatory. Activities not performed or not attended are rated as 0.

Note: the transversal competence associated with the subject (third language knowledge) is worked from the documentary sources that students must consult, since all of them are in English.
 

• Written tests: 60%
• Internships: 20%
• Final practice (challenge): 10%
• Continuous assessment: 10%

All grades are required. Theoretical exams can be retaken.

For written tests the average of the tests must have a minimum grade of 5. If the grade is less than 5 then the final grade will be that of the written tests.

Floyd, TL (2008) Digital System Fundamentals, Prentice Hall

David Money Harris and Sarah L. Harris (2012). Digital Design and Computer Architecture. Morgan Kaufmann

M. Morris Mano and Charles R. Kime. (2005) “Fundamentals of Logical and Computer Design”. Prentice Hall.