What is Digital Logic Design?

Digital logic design is a system in electrical and computer engineering that uses simple number values to produce input and output operations. As a digital design engineer, you may assist in developing cell phones, computers, and related personal electronic devices. Continue reading to find out what training can develop skills in function algorithms and binary conversion.

Industry Defined

Digital logic design is the basis of electronic systems, such as computers and cell phones. Digital logic is rooted in binary code, which renders information through zeroes and ones, giving each number in the binary code an opposite value. This system facilitates the design of electronic circuits that convey information, including logic gates with functions that include AND, OR, and NOT commands. The value system translates input signals into specific outputs. These functions facilitate computing, robotics, and other electronic applications.

Important Information About Computer Hardware Engineers

Median Salary (2021)*	$128,170
Job Outlook (2021-2031)*	5% increase
On-the-Job Training	Positions in this field often require the job seeker to have prior experience.
Similar Occupations	Computer and Information Research Scientist, Computer Programmer, Mathematician, Mechanical Engineer

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Applications

Digital logic design forms the foundation of electrical engineering and computer engineering. Digital logic designers build complex electronic components that use both electrical and computational characteristics such as power, current, logical function, protocol, and user input. Digital logic design is used to develop hardware, such as circuit boards and microchip processors. This hardware processes user input, system protocol, and other data in navigational systems, cell phones, or other high-tech systems.

Education and Training

Courses offered through electrical engineering, computer science, and electrical computer engineering programs may cover topics in binary addition and subtraction, flip-flops, shift registers, logic function algorithms, sequential circuits, clocking issues, and Boolean functions. You may also learn how to use Hardware Descriptive Language (HDL), programmable logic devices (PLD), medium scale integrated (MSI) systems, and finite state machines (FSMs).

By the end of these courses, you may understand how to program basic digital circuits, develop electrical component integration, and synchronize FSMs. Since these training courses require hands-on training, you may not be able to find online offerings.

Career Opportunities

Logic design engineers develop device infrastructures using information storage, signal transmission, and information processing components. You may also be required to perfect device timing, increase performance, decrease energy usage, and debug potential issues. According to a January 2015 sampling of job postings from Monster.com, the minimum education for jobs in this field is a bachelor's degree. For advanced careers or leadership positions, you may need to have a master's degree.