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402-0248-00L 4 Credits BSC , DZ , SHE , DR , MSC D-PHYS
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Electronics for Physicists II (Digital)

Lecturers & Examiners: PD Dr. Yves Marc Acremann
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:19

Abstract

The course will start with logic and finite state machines. These concepts will be applied in practical exercises using FPGAs. Based on this knowledge we will cover the working principles of microprocessors. We will cover combined systems where a micro processor is used for the complex parts and specialized logic on the FPGA is in charge of processing time-critical signals.

Objective

The goal of this lecture is to give an overview over digital electronic design needed for timing and data acquisition systems used in physics. After this lecture you will have the knowledge to design digital systems based on FPGAs and microcontrollers.

Content

The goal of this lecture is to give an overview over digital electronic design needed for timing and data acquisition systems used in physics. After this lecture you will have the knowledge to design digital systems based on FPGAs and micro controllers. Contents: Combinational logic Binary representations of numbers, binary arithmetic Sequential logic Counters, shift registers Finite state machines Hardware description languages (mostly SystemVerilog) Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) Buses (parallel, serial) System-on-chip buses (APB, AXI4) Clock domain crossings Digital signal processing: The sampling theorem Z-transform, Digital filters Sampling rate conversion Frequency mixing The microprocessor (illustrated on an open-source implementation of a RISC-V microprocessor) Hardware-software co-design: FPGA for the time critical part, processor for the user interface System-on-chip (FPGA based)

Resources

Lecture Notes

The slides as well as a script will be made available on Moodle.

Literature

Recomended: Hubert Kaeslin: "Top-Down Digital VLSI Design", 2015 Elsevier Inc, DOI: 10.1016/C2013-0-09804-0 (available online through the ETH library)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , DZ , SHE , DR , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
A project must be completed and presented.

Registration & Places

Max Places
60

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Electronics for Physicists II (Digital)
  • Fri 13:45-17:30 (HPT C 103)
4 h weekly

Offered In