March 3, 2005

Riverside, CA – Hot off the press is the new textbook “Digital Logic and Microprocessor Design with VHDL” by Enoch O. Hwang, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science at La Sierra University. The textbook is published by Thomson and is intended to provide both a definition of the essential principles of digital logic design, and how these basic principles are applied in the building of intricate microprocessor circuits using current technologies. It is ready to be implemented in classrooms throughout the United States.

“I looked at many existing texts and found that they did not cover as much as I do,” says Hwang who began the book about five years ago. “There are two main components used when you build a microprocessor, the other texts talk about them individually but they do not tie them together. My book ties up the loose ends.”

“We are excited to have a noted author in our department,” says Vernon W. Howe, Ph.D., chair and professor of mathematics and computer science at La Sierra University. “A class based on Enoch’s book will teach our students how to design actual microprocessors (computer chips) and he has some really neat software and hardware that helps you actually make a real chip that does what you want. This is the ‘real’ thing and that is exciting.”

Hwang’s book talks about microprocessors and how to design them. He says microprocessors are control devices used in items including computers, antilock brakes, fuel injectors, and microwave ovens. “Another example is a musical greeting card. The microprocessor generates the sound and is a black blob that looks like a dried piece of gum,” says Hwang.

“They (microprocessors) control your life,” he adds. “You will not wake up in the morning if your alarm does not go off, in the winter you will have no heat, in the kitchen there are a lot of devices. Even your telephone and cell phone have microprocessors.”

“The material in Enoch’s book is very technical even by computer science standards,” says Howe, “The topics are ones that must be covered by students in computer engineering at one end of the spectrum and by theoretical computer science students at the other. In my judgment Enoch has done a brilliant job in his choice and treatment of these topics.”

Hwang is a self-proclaimed tinkerer in electronics. “When I was a kid I blew up my dad’s radio,” says Hwang. “Hardware is my hobby.”

Hwang says the book shows how to design circuits and uses Boolean Logic (this refers to the logical relationship among search terms, and is named for the British-born Irish mathematician George Boole – http://library.albany.edu/inernet/boolean.html) that is based on three basic operators; and, or, and not. “The book began as notes” from his Digital Logic Class that he teaches at both the University of California at Riverside and La Sierra University, says Hwang.

Included in Hwang’s book is also a CD with a Computer Aided Design tool that “students can use to implement circuits in the book,” says Hwang, “The textbook is a junior/senior level book geared for computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering majors.”

“If you search Google for Digital Logic or Microprocessor Design my book comes up in the number one or two spot,” says Hwang. Google judge’s placement on the number of links created pointing to this site. “I feel pretty good about that.”

Hwang dedicated the book to his wife, Windy, and there two children, Jonathan and Michelle. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia, his master’s from Simon Fraser and his doctorate from the University of California, Riverside. Using his hobby of electronics, Hwang has automated his home. “I know when someone is outside my house and I get an announcement when someone is at my gate.”

For more details on this textbook go to: http://cs.lasierra.edu/~ehwang/digitaldesign/toc.html. The textbook “Digital Logic and Microprocessor Design with VHDL” is currently offered on Amazon.com for $107.

"La Sierra University is very proud of Professor Hwang's expertise that has led to this "last word" in digital logic design,” says Lawrence T. Geraty, president of La Sierra University. “The book can be used either as an introductory or advanced text and is accompanied by a CD-ROM that allows the reader to design and simulate digital circuits using schematic or VHDL entry. Fortunate are the students who have as their professor one who is 'at the top of his game.'"