Module Details

Module Code: SYST C3605
Module Title: Embedded Systems 2
Title: Embedded Systems 2
Module Level:: 7
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Cathal Nolan
Module Author:: Frank Fennelly
Domains:  
Module Description: To enable the learner to have knowledge and understanding of the architecture & operation of a contemporary microcontrollers and to enable the learner to design embedded systems using the appropriate programming language to interface a microcontroller to peripheral hardware such as ADCs, DACs LCDs etc..
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Compare contemporary microcontrollers and select the appropriate device for a particular application.
LO2 Describe the architecture and operation of a specific contemporary microcontroller.
LO3 Interface a microcontroller to other hardware and peripherals to form an embedded system.
LO4 Develop and debug software/firmware for an embedded system using the appropriate programming language and industry standard development tools.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Computer architecture:
Architecture of a specific microcontroller based contemporary CPU core (MIPS, Risc-V, ARM etc.) Harvard, Von Neumann, registers, flags, pipeline, datapath etc.
Instruction set:
Overview of the instruction set of the chosen microcontroller, RISC, ISA, load and store, branch & conditional execution etc.
Memory configuration:
Memory configuration, little / big endian, memory maps, heap, stack etc.
I/O :
Memory mapped I/O, bitwise operators, pointers and pointers to structures. GPIO, ADC, Timers, serial I/O, DMA etc.
Interrupts & multitasking :
Interrupts and exceptions, interrupt controller, interrupt priority, exception handling. Event-triggered and time-triggered systems. Multitasking. Introduce the concepts of a real time operating system (RTOS), e.g. kernel, scheduler, threads, etc.
Software development :
Use of an industry standard IDE (Integrated Development Environment) Review of C. Mixing C and Assembly. Software debugging, JTAG, source level, single step mode, breakpoints, trace system, disassembly, variable watching, etc. Data structures (arrays, structures, linked lists), Sorting and searching techniques. Use of an API (CMSIS, HAL). File i/o, data-logging to SD card.
Coding standards :
Introduction to coding standards for embedded systems, e.g., MISRA C, DO-178B.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment40.00%
Project20.00%
Practical40.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Examination % of Total Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
n/a
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 20
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
n/a
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
n/a
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Practicals Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Contact Hours 5.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Yifeng Zhu. (2017), Embedded Systems with ARM Cortex-M Microcontrollers in Assembly Language and C, 3rd. E-Man Press LLC, [ISBN: 9780982692660].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: