Mo Kim Cheng
2108 San Gabriel #404
Austin, Texas  78705
29 November 1983

Dr. David A. McMurrey
English Department
Austin Community College
Austin, Texas 78712

Dear Mr. McMurrey:

I am writing to bring you up to date on the progress that I have
made on my semester report project.  As you know from my 20
September memo, my topic is the fundamentals of computer
structures and logic design. I have kept in my mind your advice
about narrowing this topic, but expect to solve this problem as I
continue to gather information.

After your approval of my project, I got to work right away
gathering detailed information on the four major components of
the computer system and the basic techniques of logic design.

After nearly two months of research, study, and rough-drafting,
the report project is about two-thirds complete.  This letter
summarizes my work from 20 September to 27 November.





Mr. David A. McMurrey          -2-           29 November 1986


The report project can be divided into three major tasks:

Finding information for the discussion of the four
major components of a computer, namely, the
central processing unit, the arithmetic and logic
unit, the memory unit, and the input/output
system.

Finding information for the description of the
logic design, which includes number systems,
Boolean algebra, logic gates, and logic circuits.

Developing graphics that adequately illustrate
as well as language that conveys these computer
concepts.

My work on task 1 is nearly complete, although I'm still
searching for additional examples to present the concepts more
clearly.  Most of the materials related to task 2 have been Mr.

gathered, and I'm working on different ways to organize and
present this information (logic design).  In fact, that is where
most of my time on this project seems to be going:  how explain
the basic techniques of logic design so that the nonspecialist
reader can understand readily.





David A. McMurrey          -3-            29 November 1986


Project Description

As you requested, here is a review of what my report project is
all about.

   Subject.  The report will discuss the four major components of
the computer system as well as the basic techniques of logic
design.  Logic design is a procedure for designing computer
components by using "black boxes" that perform specific
functions.  The designer is not required to understand the
behavior of the actual electronic circuitry.

   Purpose.  The purpose of this report is to offer the
nonspecialist reader and the beginning electrical engineering
student an introduction to the fundamentals of computer
structures and logic design.


Topic 1:  Computer Structures

    Work completed.  The library research on computer structures is
now complete.  Also, I have written a complete draft of the
sections of the report involving this topic.  The four major
components are described in detail; there are numerous examples
and illustrations. Several nonspecialists have read the draft and
have made suggestions for improving it.





Mr. David A. McMurrey          -4-            29 November 1986


In this section, you'll learn about the central processing unit,
the "brain" of the computer, that part that controls the entire
system and processes information.  You'll also learn about the
arithmetic logic unit, which performs numerical calculations at
high speed, and about the memory unit, which stores information
to be processed.  You'll also see how the computer communicates
with the outside world through the input/output devices.

    Work remaining.  Based on the suggestions of my test readers,
I am still tinkering with finding different ways to explain
certain key events in a cycle of computer operation and with
developing better graphics.


Topic 2:  Basic Techniques of Logic Design

    Work completed.  I'm still trying to locate up-to-date
information on logic design techniques, but most of the
information is in place.  At this stage, I only have a very rough
draft and have not been able to test it out on nonspecialist
readers.  Much of the writing in this draft is still in
specialist language and is going to require a good amount of
translating.

    Work remaining.  Currently, I am in the process of rewriting
the part of the report on logic design techniques.  This may
entail some major reorganization; also I still must find or
create good examples and illustrations for some of the areas of
this part.  I am particularly concerned about presenting Boolean
algebra in the clearest and the most concise way possible, since
it is one of the keys to understanding the operations of a
computer.





Mr. David A. McMurrey          -5-            29 November 1986


Enclosed is a two-page outline of my report as it stands now.  If
you have any suggestions about it or if you would be interested
in looking at the rough draft in its current state, please let me
know.  Otherwise, everything is moving along well, and you should
have the report by or before the scheduled date.



                                         Respectfully yours,


                                         Mo Kim Cheng
                                         Electronics major, ACC

Interested in courses related to this page or a printed version? See the resources page.

Return to the main menu of this online textbook for technical writing.