Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
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| Emphasis areas within Electrical & Computer Engineering | |
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Circuit Design and Signal Processing |
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Computer Engineering |
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Controls |
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Physical Electronics |
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Power |
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Telecommunications |
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Page updated: 03/20/08 |
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| Computer Engineering (Digital Systems) Area General Description The digital systems area primarily involves the design and utilization of digital computer hardware and software. Almost every electronic device made today contains digital circuitry in the form of microprocessors or application- dependent digital interfaces. Whereas analog circuits process continuously-varible electrical signals, digital circuits always involve discrete, quantized electrical signals, which are represented by strings of binary digits (1 or 0). The major classroom topics include Boolean algebra, combinational logic design, sequential logic design, digital integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, computer design, and microprocessor hardware and software. Mainframe computers, microprocessors, video games, industrial data acquisition and control systems, medical instrumentation, and automobile instrumentation are typical end-products of a digital system designer. Relation to Other Areas The ultimate products developed within many of the electrical engineering areas are often implemented with digital circuits, including control systems, telecommunications systems, and signal processing systems. Power systems and analog electronics must frequently interface with digital circuits (often computers). Physical phenomena courses provide the theoretical background for the fabrication and operation of digital devices. Job Opportunities Since digital systems are so pervasive throughout the world today, there are many jobs available in the digital system area. There are opportunities in design, manufacturing, sales, customer support, and application engineering. The digital engineer may work on discrete large board-level systems or small systems-on-a-chip (VLSI). Applications include all domains: commercial, industrial, and military. Typical products include supercomputers, personal computers, video games, appliances, cellular phones, video and audio products, calculators, digital clocks, industrial control, data acquisition, process control, instrumentation, and automobile and aviation systems. Senior Sequences Recommended Courses Digital Systems Area Courses |
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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Tennessee Tech University P.O. Box 5004 Cookeville, TN 38505 Phone: (931) 372-3397 Fax: (931) 372-3436 Questions or Comment, please e-mail: Ece_dept@tntech.edu |
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