Networks, Interfaces and Integrated Circuits Publisher/ISBN/Ordering Information Description of Book Program Examples from Book Solutions Manual for Book Correlations with Ontario Computer Studies Curriculum Preface Table of Contents

Book Information

Book Description

This textbook is specifically designed to meet the expectations required in Ontario's new Computer Engineering course (ICE4M) for Grade 12. Following from the contents of Computer Engineering: An Activities-Based Approach, this more advanced text uses the same hands-on approach to introduce the students to advanced concepts in computer engineering, including

• networking,
• number systems,
• computer architecture,
• low-level languages,
• integrated circuites, and
• interfaces.

Correlations with Ontario Computer Studies Curriculum

If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, then click on the link below. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, then you can obtain it free of charge by clicking the Get Acrobat Reader icon.

• Correlations for Grade 12 ICE4M course.

Preface to Networks, Interfaces and Integrated Circuits

Students using this text require a working knowledge of the fundamental gates and chips, computer hardware, computer networks, and programming.

The programming language used in this text is Turing, which has an easy-to-learn syntax and is supported by a student-friendly programming environment. This language was chosen because it facilitates hands-on learning by providing direct software access to the parallel port. It provides easy access to graphics and to mouse control. Turing also gives students with a conceptual understanding of procedural programming that is highly transferable to other programming languages. This text assumes use of Turing (OOT) 4.0 or greater as Turing 3.1.1 does not support the parallel port commands required for the Activities.

Overview

1. Computer Engineering Fundamentals
2. Networking Theory
3. Networking Activities
4. Number Systems
5. Computer Architecture
6. Low-Level Languages
7. Integrated Circuits
8. Integrated Circuits: Activities
9. Computer Interfacing
10. Interfacing Activities
11. Interfacing Projects

Chapter 2 presents a basic look at the theory underlying computer networking. Network topology, transmission media, and networking hardware are examined. The chapter also covers Ethernet networking, network addresses, network standards including the OSI network model, and network layers and protocols.

Chapter 3 provides a series of networking Activities that focus on configuring an operating system and connecting computers using Direct Cable Connect and Ethernet. While the Activities require students to connect only two computers for file sharing, they can be easily expanded to include a larger network if hardware is available. The Instructions provided in this chapter assume use of Windows 98. Use of other versions of Windows should not cause significant problems but the instruction steps may require modification.

Chapter 4 provides a review of number systems and character representation systems. Examples are provided for conversions among base 10, base 2, and base 16. It also introduces signed and unsigned binary and hexadecimal numbers. The concepts introduced in this chapter are essential to Chapters 5 through 11.

Chapter 5 introduces students to the fundamental internal components of the computer and explores their interrelationships. Emphasis is placed on the internal registers of the CPU and the flow of data to and from memory. A number of different kinds of ROM and RAM are examined. The chapter also provides examples of the computer architectures of a 64 KB environment and an original Pentium environment.

Chapter 6 provides an introduction to programming in a low-level language. The differences between machine-level, assembly, and high-level programming languages are discussed using examples that incorporate input/output, decision structures, and repetition structures. All assembly language programs in this chapter are written using Intel's 8085 microprocessor simulator V. 3.0. This simulator is available as freeware at: www.insoluz.com.

Chapter 7 reviews the fundamental gates (AND, OR, NOR, NAND, EOR, and NOT) and shows how these gates can be combined to build latches that store data. More sophisticated integrated circuits (which use latch concepts) are introduced. These include counters and registers.

Chapter 8 is designed to allow students to apply all of the concepts and knowledge acquired in Chapters 4 through 7. The hands-on Activities require the practical application of the integrated circuit knowledge from Chapter 7.

Chapter 9 reviews basic computer interfacing concepts including the operations of the parallel port and how computer programs are developed to provide a set of instructions from the computer to the peripheral. A number of common interface commands (here written in the Turing programming language) are covered. These include mouse commands and graphical user interface commands.

Chapter 10 is designed to allow students to apply all of the concepts and knowledge acquired in Chapter 4 and Chapters 7 through 9. Students completing these Activities will build a number of interfacing systems and write the computer programs to drive them. These include real-world interfaces such as stoplights, game shows, model cars, and joysticks.

Chapter 11 provides two complete interfacing systems that could be used as final projects. The first project involves the development of a computerized security system. The second project involves the development of a music box peripheral that plays musical notes and lights corresponding LEDs (both actual and as part of a graphical user interface). This project is then extended to create a game that requires the user to play a tune. These projects include all of the software required to control the peripherals.

Flexibility

This text assumes an equivalence of binary input and output states and the flow of electricity that is a simplification of how gates actually function.

A full explanation of how gates operate requires a knowledge of electricity that is beyond the scope of this text. A more complete introduction to electricity for use in electronics can be found on the web at:

    http://www.holtsoft.com/books/extras/elec.html

A more complete explanation of how gates work can be found at:

    http://www.holtsoft.com/books/extras/gates.html

Instructors may also wish to review some of the more complex Activities in Chapters 3, 8 and 10 to ensure that students have the requisite knowledge for the individual Activity or Project.

The Electronic Experimenter Kit

• the Electronic Experimenter Box,
• all chips, wires, and LEDs required to complete the Activities in Chapter 4,
• all chips and electronic components required to complete the Activities in Chapter 7,
• storage drawers for all electronic components, and
• a convenient storage case for all of the above materials.

Teachers should note that completion of the Activities does not require an Electronic Experimenter Kit, since these Activities can be conducted using a breadboard and several wires, switches, motors and LEDs. The Kit, however, helps to simplify and organize the number of wires needed to carry out the activities.

The Electronic Experimenter Kit can be purchased at a special educational rate directly from the manufacturer. For more information contact Classic Technology via email at classic@classictechology.ca or at their web site www.classictechnology.ca.

Graham Smyth
Christine Stephenson

Table of Contents of Networks, Interfaces, and Integrated Circuits