Digital Design and Computer Architecture [Paperback]

David Harris (Author), Sarah Harris (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0123704979 | ISBN-13: 978-0123704979 | Publication Date: March 16, 2007 | Edition: 1

Digital Design and Computer Architecture is designed for courses that combine digital logic design with computer organization/architecture or that teach these subjects as a two-course sequence. Digital Design and Computer Architecture begins with a modern approach by rigorously covering the fundamentals of digital logic design and then introducing Hardware Description Languages (HDLs). Featuring examples of the two most widely-used HDLs, VHDL and Verilog, the first half of the text prepares the reader for what follows in the second: the design of a MIPS Processor. By the end of Digital Design and Computer Architecture, readers will be able to build their own microprocessor and will have a top-to-bottom understanding of how it works--even if they have no formal background in design or architecture beyond an introductory class. David Harris and Sarah Harris combine an engaging and humorous writing style with an updated and hands-on approach to digital design.

· Unique presentation of digital logic design from the perspective of computer architecture using a real instruction set, MIPS.
· Side-by-side examples of the two most prominent Hardware Design Languages--VHDL and Verilog--illustrate and compare the ways the each can be used in the design of digital systems.
· Worked examples conclude each section to enhance the reader's understanding and retention of the material.
· Companion Web site includes links to CAD tools for FPGA design from Xilinx, lecture slides, laboratory projects, and solutions to exercises.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Money Harris is an associate professor of engineering at Harvey Mudd College. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University and his M.Eng. in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT. Before attending Stanford, he worked at Intel as a logic and circuit designer on the Itanium and Pentium II processors. Since then, he has consulted at Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, Evans & Sutherland, and other design companies. David's passions include teaching, building chips, and exploring the outdoors. When he is not at work, he can usually be found hiking, mountaineering, or rock climbing. He particularly enjoys hiking with his son, Abraham, who was born at the start of this book project. David holds about a dozen patents and is the author of three other textbooks on chip design, as well as two guidebooks to the Southern California mountains.

Sarah L. Harris is an Assistant Professor of Engineering at Harvey Mudd College. She received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Before attending Stanford, she received a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Brigham Young University. Sarah has also worked with Hewlett-Packard, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, Nvidia, and Microsoft Research in Beijing. Sarah loves teaching, exploring and developing new technologies, traveling, wind surfing, rock climbing, and playing the guitar. Her recent exploits include researching sketching interfaces for digital circuit design, acting as a science correspondent for a National Public Radio affiliate, and learning how to kite surf. She speaks four languages and looks forward to learning more in the near future.

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann; 1 edition (March 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0123704979
• ISBN-13: 978-0123704979
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Design & Architecture

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, easy to understand+ real world examples + interview questions, June 7, 2007

By 

P. Zhao (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Digital Design and Computer Architecture (Paperback)

The authors have written a book that is very clear an easy to understand. The exercises are well-designed and the real-world examples are a nice touch. The lengthy explanations often found in other textbooks are not seen here. Interestingly it has interview questions too, which are not seen in other books. It's obvious that the authors have devoted a great deal of time and effort to create an accessible text. One of the authors, David Harris, had been working in chip design industries which is a great help to this book (David Harris has another book: CMOS VLSI Design, one of the main textbooks for chip design). I have used "Digital Logic and Computer Architecture" book to teach in our university, I strongly recommend this book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to the subject, September 8, 2007

By 

Stanley (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Digital Design and Computer Architecture (Paperback)

I am just starting to learn how to program FPGAs and have read several books in the pursuit of this endeavor. This book has been the best I have read so far as a beginner. The authors are very experienced and knowledgeable and it comes through in this book. While other books on this topic appear to have been rushed, poorly edited, and are full of typographical and drawing errors, there were few errors that I noticed in this book. It's two chapters on combinational and sequential logic weren't only good introductions to the topic, they also gave good explanations of the pitfalls that can be encountered with each and how to avoid them. I found the book also did a good job of mixing the right amount of theory with practical applications. I also like that the book covered both VHDL and Verilog and always showed HDL listings side by side for each of the two. It is a great way to learn the second HDL since the side by side listings sort of act like a Rosetta stone of HDLs. The explanation of how to implement the beginnings of a MIPS processor was a great practical application for things learned previously in the book. If I had one wish, it would have been that the accompanying website had a more complete MIPS implementation. When I read the description of the book, I had assumed that the MIPS core described would be more complete. However, what they do cover is a great overview and it implements at least one instruction of each MIPS instruction type so it is a great starting point for a reader to build a more fully functional MIPS implementation.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to learn from and a great reference, April 16, 2008

By 

Matthew Weiner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Digital Design and Computer Architecture (Paperback)

I used this book in my introductory computer engineering class. Whenever I was confused after lecture, reading the book cleared up a lot of my questions. In fact, it is written so clearly that I think anyone could teach themselves the subject by reading the book. Even in my more advanced classes, I find myself coming back to this book to brush up on Verilog, timing constraints, and other fundamental topics. Also, I have used this book to prepare for many (successful) interviews since it highlights material that interviewers like to ask. Because it is such a great book to learn from and a good reference for many topics, I recommend this book for electrical engineering or computer science students and anyone else who wants to learn about the subject.