As digital circuit elements decrease in physical size, resulting inincreasingly complex systems, a basic logic model that can be usedin the control and design of a range of semiconductor devices isvital. Finite State Machines (FSM) have numerous advantages; theycan be applied to many areas (including motor control, and signaland serial data identification to name a few) and they use lesslogic than their alternatives, leading to the development of fasterdigital hardware systems.This clear and logical book presents a range of novel techniquesfor the rapid and reliable design of digital systems using FSMs,detailing exactly how and where they can be implemented.With a practical approach, it covers synchronous and asynchronousFSMs in the design of both simple and complex systems, andPetri-Net design techniques for sequential/parallel controlsystems. Chapters on Hardware Description Language cover thewidely-used and powerful Verilog HDL in sufficient detail tofacilitate the description and verification of FSMs, and FSM basedsystems, at both the gate and behavioural levels.Throughout, the text incorporates many real-world examples thatdemonstrate designs such as data acquisition, a memory tester, andpassive serial data monitoring and detection, among others. Auseful accompanying CD offers working Verilog software tools forthe capture and simulation of design solutions.With a linear programmed learning format, this book works as aconcise guide for the practising digital designer. This book willalso be of importance to senior students and postgraduates ofelectronic engineering, who require design skills for the embeddedsystems market.