6
votes
Request: resources for learning digital electronics
This college term I was signed up to a class on Digital Electronics, and it kicked my butt on the very first week because the learning materials were extremely obtuse; I actually dropped the course because I could not see myself being able to keep up no matter what I did, especially because my university does not allow late work. I'm going to have to go back to it next term in order to get my degree, so I'm looking for any learning resources anyone can recommend me to give me a head start.
Just to be clear, I'm primarily looking for good resources that covers basics like boolean algebra (which I already understand but am terrible at) and logic gates. I know we'll be using VHDL later, so those will also be appreciated.
Electronics nerd here. 'Electronics' is / can be... a collection of a ton of different sub-specialties. It sounds like the class you're describing is looking at operational theory of IC design/function, but that could only be part of it, or I could be misinterpreting.
Does the class have a written synopsis / statement of intended course coverage / some description of what that specific class intends to educate the student on? That information will be IMMENSELY helpful for pointing you at resources that will be of use to you.
If you are looking for Boolean logic and VHDL, check out nand2tetris. It’s a website with accompanying book($40) that starts at gate logic and works up to building a Tetris game on a simulated computer you designed.
It doesn’t use VHDL, but a simplified VHDL-like language for designing the computer. It might not be exactly what the class you need to take covers, but hopefully it would provide you enough experience to be able to keep up with the class next time you take it.