Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design with CD-ROM [Hardcover]

Stephen Brown (Author), Zvonko Vranesic (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072355964 | ISBN-13: 978-0072355963 | Publication Date: June 22, 1999 | Edition: 1

This book is intended for an introductory course in digital logic design, which is a basic course in most Electrical and Computer Engineering programs. The authors provide a desirable balance between classical and modern design approaches. Basic concepts are introduced using simple logic circuits, which are designed by using both manual techniques and modern CAD-tool-based methods. Having established the fundamental concepts, more complex, realistic circuits are then designed with the CAD tools. The IEEE standard VHDL language is an integral part of design techniques used throughout the book. Altera's advanced Max plus II CAD systmem (on CD-ROM0 and a series of step-by-step tutorials are included.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Zvonko Vranesic (Toronto, Canada) Professor of Computer Engineering at Toronto University, Canada.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 840 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math; 1 edition (June 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072355964
• ISBN-13: 978-0072355963
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,412,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated, Though Not All Bad, November 19, 2002

By 

Francis Frisina (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design with CD-ROM (Hardcover)

Fundamentals of Digital Logic is the book I am using during this semester in my Computer Engineering Ciriculum. Brown and Vranesic were more than likely very on top of their game when they first wrote the book - but it is clearly dated. The classic example of a pop machine (state machine design) really needs to be buried.

The book's examples are often difficult to follow, as there is very, very heavy reading involved. When I am presented with a concept in digital logic, computer science, or engineering, I want clear examples, with all steps explained in detail - not a paragraph or two with the idea enclosed. It just doesn't work as well as several good examples.

However, the book isn't all that horrible. In fact, it's not bad at all. It does a fine job of explaining memory elements, but, in retrospect, it does an extremely poor job of covering transmission gates and multiplexers. I can't tell you how long it took me to figure out how to work both of those devices.

All in all - I'd say if you have to buy this book for your course, you might want to pick up a few supplemantal texts for additional insight into more challenging concepts.

Good luck!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coverage of logic theory, but not a VHDL bible, May 6, 2000

By 

Sean (Mountain View, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design with CD-ROM (Hardcover)

Being completely new to VHDL and only somewhat experienced with TTL circuits, I needed a book that would cover all the basics of logic design before getting into VHDL. Logic concepts I previously had trouble grasping were made much clearer in the context of the VHDL examples. Definitely five stars!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars There are actually usable textbooks out there!, December 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design with CD-ROM (Hardcover)

It certainly shocked me, after the rash of worthless textbooks I've had to buy in my college career, but this book was actually usable. It's not spectacular, mind you, but I don't think there is such a thing as a spectacular textbook. It was good enough to keep after the class was over, and I may even refer to it again sometime.