Digital Logic & PLCs I

Course Number:
EET 251
Transcript Title:
Digital Logic & PLCs I
Created:
Aug 10, 2022
Updated:
May 24, 2025
Total Credits:
5
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
30
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

EET 113, EET 141

Course Description

Covers digital systems, digital and analog quantities, binary numbers, combinational logic, expression simplification, and common functions of combinational logic systems using Allen-Bradley programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and fixed function integrated circuits. Includes a 3 hour per week laboratory. Prerequisites: EET 113, EET 141. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Differentiate between digital and analog quantities and interface real-world digital and analog quantities with programmable logic devices.
  2. Read, express, and convert between decimal, binary, 2’s complement, hex, BCD, Gray’s, and octal numbering systems.
  3. Analyze and predict the behavior of basic logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR) expressed in ladder logic, structured text statements, and circuits employing fixed function ICs.
  4. Design, minimize, and implement a logical expression on an Allen-Bradley programmable logic controller in both Ladder Logic (LL) and Structured Text (ST) to achieve desired circuit functionality.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Differentiate between digital and analog quantities and interface real-world digital and analog quantities with a programmable logic device.

  • analog versus digital quantities

  • binary numbers

  • sinking versus sourcing (NPN vs. PNP)

  • PLC input hardware

  • Standard industrial signals (0-10mv, 4-20mA)

Outcome #2: Read, express, and convert between decimal, binary, 2’s complement, hex, BCD, Gray’s, and octal number systems.

  • Binary numbers

  • Hexadecimal, octal, BCD numbering systems

  • 2’s complement

  • Gray’s code

Outcome #3: Analyze and predict the behavior of basic logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR) expressed in ladder logic, structured text statements, and circuits employing fixed function ICs.

  • Logical operators

  • Ladder logic and structured text programming languages

  • TTL chips, fixed function ICs

  • Logical schematics

  • Data sheets

Outcome #4: Design, minimize, and implement a logical expression on an Allen-Bradley programmable logic controller in both Ladder Logic (LL) and Structured Text (ST) to achieve desired circuit functionality.

  • Allen-Bradley’s Compact Logix PLC platform (hardware and software)

  • Ladder logic and structured text programming languages

  • Boolean algebra

  • DeMorgan’s Theorem

  • Truth tables

  • Karnaugh Maps

Suggested Texts and Materials

All materials are freely available online at:

  • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX7ZPgPJWZNc6zRvIGjDFOr6CYKz9DZa3