Introduction to Digital Electronics

 This is very much work-in-progress and is very much incomplete

This is a book of video chapters that describe digital electronics and analogue electronics concepts in order to provide an introduction to electronics. Every part of this course is firmly rooted in practice, allowing for theoretical concepts to be practiced through the use of video tutorials and video supported laboratories.

Chapter 1: Number Systems

We are very comfortable with the decimal number system – in part due to the fact that we have ten fingers. Unfortunately, this is not a good system of numeration for digital computers and circuits, as our circuits are firmly based in binary – a system that works with two states – on and off.  This video chapter looks at how we can bridge the gap between our needs for decimal and the need for negative numbers and the fact that digital circuits are firmly based in binary.

Link to the Chapter

Chapter 2: Boolean Algebra

Boolean algebra was developed in 1854 by George Boole (while he was working in University College Cork, Ireland). It is a branch of mathematical algebra where everything is evaluated as either true or false (1 or 0). Little did he know how important his work would be to modern day digital computer systems where the condition of being on or off, true or false, 0 or 1 is so important to the ways that we design computers and work with digital data. This video chapter looks at Boolean Algebra as a concept and how we can minimize logic expressions

Coming soon!

Chapter 3: Digital Logic Gates

Once we understand Boolean algebra we would like to apply it to build circuits that use gates such as AND, OR, NOT gates. In this chapter we are going to look at the basic principles of how digital logic gates work and how we can apply them to build complex systems. We also look at logic minimization.

Link to the Chapter

Chapter 4: Combinational Logic

Adders

Encoders/Decoders

Multiplexers/Demultiplexers

Chapter 5: Sequential Logic

Flip-Flops

The clock – 555 Timers

Counters

Shift Registers

Chapter 6: Digital Applications

Analogue to Digital Conversion

 

Further Reading:

From this point I would recommend you to continue reading materials on different micro-controllers. I have pages on several microcontrollers. If you are getting started, your first stop should be the Arduino, but if you are looking for a bit of a challenge have a look at the others: