Introduction

 Why should I study Digital Logic Design?

Let me count the reasons why an engineer would want to study digital logic design:
  • The subject is part of the curriculum.
  • If you want to understand how computers work.
  • If you want to design and troubleshoot electronic devices.

    Is digital logic design a science?

    Digital logic design involves mathematics, and established scientific knowledge, but it is not a pure science subject. It is more of an engineering know-how.

    What is Digital Logic Design?

    Digital logic design involves designing hardware and software for the main purpose of computation. All computation in the modern computers are digital. Thus, computer devices, and computer-analog device interfaces involve digital logic design. The term "logic" implies the Boolean algebra that is often used in the design.

    How relevant is digital logic design?

    Digital logic is a fundamental engineering subject. Thus, it will always remain relevant.

    Wait a minute! What do you mean by digital?

    Yes. The digital concepts emerged in 1940's, and from early on the computers were digital. Television, video, storage devices and other are only now quickly becoming commercialized as digital devices. Perry Crawford (1945) pioneered digital computing at MIT, and was instrumental in building the first digital and real time computer. The only other form of is analog, so to speak..,

    What is analog or what are analog devices?

    The signals found in nature are continuous and take various amplitude values. Such signals are called analog signals. Many electronic devices are designed to operate on analog signals, and until recently television, radio and storage devices were mainly analog.

    So, why there are two kinds in the first place?

    Rather than representing mathematical quantities and functions using mechanical or electronic devices, the numbers were represented in digital form themselves. That means numbers can be now manipulated to perform all sorts of calculations. Of course this makes sense now! You ask why use analog computers in the first place. Well, the technology to represent numbers developed later than the analog..! And digital devices in general are more expensive than analog, but that situation is quickly changing.

    What are the advantages of using analog vs digital or digital vs analog?

    If you take enough samples then you can represent any signal in nature in digital form. Digital signals are:
  • less prone to noise
  • can be regenerated absolutely
  • can be transmitted more accurately
  • can be reproduced absolutely
    Thus, digital devices are clearly more advantages than analog. However, note that analog devices are required for transducer design, and are preferable when cost and design complexity issues are considered.

    I am convinced that digital electronic devices are important, but what kind of design or troubleshooting will an engineer be involved?
    (Continuity Quesiton)