DIGITAL ELECTRONICS AND EMBEDDED SYSTEMS - 2027/8
Module code: TON2024
Module Overview
This module bridges the worlds of electronics and computing, introducing you to the fundamental principles behind all modern digital systems. It explores how binary logic, digital circuits, programmable devices and computer networks form the basis of the technologies used in today's audio and music systems.
You will develop a solid understanding of how digital signals are represented, processed, stored, distributed, and controlled, as well as how hardware and software interact in real-world embedded applications. The module also introduces you to programming in C++, providing the tools to design and control digital systems through coding. In the second part of the module, you will explore practical applications in embedded audio and music technologies through hands-on activities. By the end of the course, you will be able to design and build basic digital electronic systems, write simple C++ programmes, and apply embedded system concepts to creative and technical challenges in music and audio.
You will take the theory of digital audio principles developed in the first year and explore how this is practically applied in digital audio converter design and low bit-rate coding systems. You will also develop your knowledge and understanding of computer network systems for real-time audio transmission and use this to configure and troubleshoot a small network system.
Module provider
Music & Media
Module Leader
CHOUSIDIS Christos (Music & Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 5
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 21
Independent Learning Hours: 72
Lecture Hours: 44
Guided Learning: 5
Captured Content: 8
Module Availability
Year long
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
TON1024 Computer Systems TON1029 Audio Electronics
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Boolean algebra & logic simplification
- Combinational logic
- synchronous sequential circuits
- memory and storage
- microprocessors / microcontrollers
- interfacing
- embedded system fundamentals
- sensors, actuators and displays
- MIDI and DMX embedded design
- USB applications
- IoT for audio & music systems
- real-time embedded audio processing
- advanced digital audio principles and converter design
- audio networking
- low bit-rate coding
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Digital systems design and simulation | 15 |
| Coursework | Embedded system design and report | 50 |
| Coursework | Engineering essay | 20 |
| Practical based assessment | Audio networking assessment | 15 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate and develop subject knowledge and understanding in digital electronics and embedded systems, using a mixture of theoretical analysis and practical application.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- digital systems design and simulation - design, simplification and analysis of combinational and sequential digital circuits using theory and simulation (addresses learning outcomes 1-5)
- embedded system design & report - development of a small-scale embedded system for an audio or music-related task and supporting it with technical documentation (addresses learning outcomes 6-14
- audio engineering essay - an essay on an aspect of digital audio that will develop your academic research and writing skills in preparation for your final year dissertation or technical project (addresses outcomes 15, 16 and 19)
- audio networking assessment - a practical assessment where you troubleshoot and configure a real-time audio networking system (addresses outcomes 17-18).
Formative assessment
Formative assessment and feedback will be given to you in tutorials and throughout lectures and workshops, and in the form of regular revision questions in lectures.
Feedback
Written feedback will be given on the coursework assignments. You will receive verbal feedback on your practical work throughout the module, particularly in workshops during the second part, and during lectures.
Module aims
- To develop a fundamental understanding of the computing process and its connection to digital electronic systems.
- To introduce the fundamental principles of digital systems and their application in audio and music.
- To provide practical experience in C++ programming for control, processing, and system design.
- To enable students to develop design and prototyping skills in embedded systems for audio and music-based applications.
- To advance your knowledge and understanding of the theory and implementation of professional audio systems.
- To further develop your knowledge and understanding of audio networking systems and devices.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Explain the fundamental principles of digital logic, and binary operations. | KC |
| 002 | Describe the relationship between digital electronic circuits and computing processes. | KC |
| 003 | Design and analyse combinational and sequential digital systems using logic gates and flip-flops. | KC |
| 004 | Explain the characteristics and operation of different types of memories. | KC |
| 005 | Describe the operation of microprocessors and microcontrollers and analyse their similarities and differences. | KC |
| 006 | Describe and analyse the role and the use of Embedded Systems in Audio and Music technology digital devices. | KCP |
| 007 | Write and implement basic C++ programs for embedded systems control. | KCPT |
| 008 | Understand the integration of sensors, actuators, and display systems within embedded systems. | KCP |
| 009 | Research and appropriately select digital components, sensors, and interfacing methods for the development of a specific project. | PT |
| 010 | Design and develop MIDI and DMX applications. | KCP |
| 011 | Apply the USB protocol to integrate and control MIDI and DMX applications within embedded systems. | KCP |
| 012 | Integrate digital audio and music embedded devices with cloud-based applications for monitoring and control. | KCP |
| 013 | Design, program and build standalone real-time audio applications. | KCP |
| 014 | Produce technical documentation that describes the design methods, implementation processes, and performance characteristics of developed devices and systems using appropriate reporting conventions. | PT |
| 015 | Describe how the principles of PCM digital audio are applied via a range of analogue to digital and digital to analogue converters suitable for audio use. | KC |
| 016 | Describe and investigate the effect of requantisation in the time or frequency domains, and the methods to limit the audibility of these effects. | KCP |
| 017 | Describe the principles of computer networks and their application in transmitting realtime audio signals. | KCP |
| 018 | Successfully troubleshoot and configure a real-time audio networking system. | KPT |
| 019 | Further develop the skills required for University-level academic work, including the ability to independently research a technical topic, the ability to explain technical terms with an appropriate academic style, and cite references accurately using a standardised format. | KCPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
- develop your knowledge and understanding of digital electronics and embedded systems, establishing a foundation for further study and a technical professional career in digital audio, music technology, and related engineering fields;
- enable you to apply the principles of Boolean algebra, logic circuits, and digital system design to the implementation of real-world digital and embedded solutions; introduce and develop your programming skills;
- develop your skills to design, implement, and test digital circuits and embedded applications through practical methods, with particular emphasis on audio and music systems;
- encourage independent experimentation and creative application of embedded technologies to design, develop and test working prototypes;
- further develop your ability to configure and troubleshoot digital audio coding and transmission systems, including computer-based networking protocols; and
- strengthen your academic and professional skills in research, documentation, and technical reporting.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- regular lectures that cover the theoretical background of each topic, including simulations to demonstrate the discussed subjects, and step-by-step demonstration of solutions for relevant problems (where applicable);
- regular workshop sessions in the second period of the module, which allow you to put the theoretical understanding into practice and develop skills in design, programming, testing, and further develop your prototyping skills;
- regular questions to help you to develop your understanding; and
- coursework assignments that allow you to practice and demonstrate your understanding of theoretical subjects, develop your designing and prototyping skills, showcase your technical reporting abilities, and further enhance your academic research and writing skills.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TON2024
Other information
Digital capabilities: the module further develops your theoretical understanding of how audio is converted to and from the digital domain, as well as introduces you to practical circuits that can be used for this. As part of the coursework assignments, you will also develop skills in: independent research of a topic, using online resources including books and academic publications; and tools for creating reports and diagrams. All of these skills will be essential to your success through the remainder of the programme.
Employability: the knowledge and skills developed within this module are the fundamentals of a successful career in the audio industry. The audio engineering aspects cover: digital audio principals and networked computer systems for real-time audio transfer (increasingly common across all audio and video industries). The digital electronics aspects cover: computing principles, digital circuit design, programming, and embedded system development for music and audio applications, areas that are increasingly important across the digital audio industry.
Sustainability: A key aspect of this module is its contribution to sustainability through efficient electronic and embedded system design. By promoting low-power operation, optimised coding, and the use of compact programmable devices, the module emphasises reducing energy consumption and material waste compared with traditional hardware-based solutions. The exploration of audio networking further supports sustainable practice by minimising the need for extensive physical audio infrastructure, thereby conserving materials, energy, and labour resources. In this way, the module enables an understanding of environmentally responsible design and encourages sustainable practices in digital audio applications.
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2027/8 academic year.