Data acquisition, digital electronics and microelectronics

lphys2104  2025-2026  Louvain-la-Neuve

Data acquisition, digital electronics and microelectronics
The version you’re consulting is not final. This course description may change. The final version will be published on 1st June.
5.00 credits
22.5 h + 22.5 h
Q1
Language
English
> French-friendly
Prerequisites
No pre-requisites. However, having followed LPHY2103 is an asset.
Main themes
This teaching unit is designed to introduce the student to digital electronics and data acquisition systems with special emphasis in a practical work through a personal project.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

  1. Contribution of the teaching unit to the learning outcomes of the programme (PHYS2M and PHYS2M1)
AA1: A1.1, A1.5
AA2: A2.5
  1. Specific learning outcomes of the teaching unit
At the end of this teaching unit, the student will be able to :
    1. Describe how digital devices works in terms of the fundamental logical operations ;
    2. Analize and design a finite state machine ;
    3. Use  a simple communication protocol (I2C, USB, OneWire, …) to readout a sensor.
    4. Program an FPGA using VHDL (or Verilog)
    5. Link a FPGA to a computer.
 
Content
1. Digital and analog signals and systems.
2. Number systems, operations and codes.
3. Logic gates and gate combinations.
4. Combinational logic : adders, decoders, comparators, multiplexers, …
5. Sequential logic : flip-flops, timers, shift registers, counters, …
6. Counters : finite state machines.
7. Programmable logic : VHDL.
8. Data transmission.
9. Signal conversion : ADC, DAC, …
10. Buses and interfaces : serial and parallel buses, USB, I2C, ethernet.
Teaching methods
Lectures and exercises  sessions in auditorium.
Directed practical work (compulsory) :
- experimental study of basic circuits;
- simulation of circuits;
- weekly assignments.
Project : developing an acquisition system with an FPGA and/or RaspberryPi :
- implementation of a serial reading protocol (type I2C, USB, ...) ;
Evaluation methods
The evaluation is based on:
- laboratory work. Continuous evaluation (25%)
- Weekly exercices and assignements. Continuous evaluation (25%)
- presentation of an acquisition project : oral questioning (50%).
All three parts should be passed with more than 50% each.
Bibliography
  1. Digital Fundamentals, 11th Edition (http://www.pearsonglobaleditions.com/Sitemap/Floyd/), Thomas Floyd, Ed. Pearson.
  2. Acquisition de Données. Du Capteur à l'Ordinateur, Georges Asch et collaborateurs, Ed. Dunod.
Faculty or entity
> PHYS


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Additionnal module in Physics
APPHYS
5
Master [60] in Physics
PHYS2M1
5
Master [120] in Physics
PHYS2M
5