Module Details

Module Code: SYST H4605
Module Title: Embedded Systems
Title: Embedded Systems
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Cathal Nolan
Module Author:: Edmond Tobin
Domains:  
Module Description: To provide students with the skills and techniques required to develop and test software and hardware for embedded systems. To provide students knowledge of embedded system design with particular emphasis on aircraft systems.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Evaluate the processes of how hardware and software components interact to form an embedded system.
LO2 Create, simulate and debug software for an embedded system.
LO3 Perform virtual system modelling of both the hardware and software components.
LO4 Integrate hardware and software components to form an embedded system and evaluate its performance.
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
Introduction to Embedded Systems
Description of an embedded system, types of embedded systems. common applications of embedded systems.
Microcontroller Architectures
Description of primary components contained within embedded systems, central processing units and their architectures, CPU and microcontroller operation, fetch decode and execute cycle, memories and register types contained within CPUs and microcontrollers.
Review of Assembly Language Programming
Digital numbering systems, program counter, ROM space, control, arithmetic and logic instructions, standard instruction set, sequence of events during program execution.
Embedded Systems Programming
Program design, flowcharts, variables and constants, I/O operations, operators and expressions (arithmetic, logical and relational operators, conditional expression, etc.), control statements (while loop, do/while loop, for loop, if/else, switch/case, etc.), functions and arrays, I/O port programming, timers, interrupts.
Microcontroller Interfacing and Serial Communications
Common interface and communication protocols, interfacing with common I/O devices and sensors. interfacing with analog and digital signals. port I/O, ability to sink and source current, driving AC and DC loads.
System Development, Testing and Debug
Design documentation, integrated development environments (IDEs), embedded debug concepts, debug techniques (step mode, breakpoints, variable watching, etc.)
Embedded Systems for Aerospace Applications
Introduction to field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), real-time operating systems, international standards for airborne software and electronic hardware (DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160, etc.).
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Embedded System
Definition and Scope of AI, introduction to machine learning (ML), types of machine learning (supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement). Introduction to neural nets and deep learning. Applications of AI and ML.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment30.00%
Project40.00%
Practical30.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Examination % of Total Mark 30
Timing Ongoing Learning Outcomes 1,2
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students will be assessed periodically to gauge their understanding and knowledge of the material.
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Project designed to allow students to apply their knowledge of embedded systems. The project may involve developing hardware, software or a combination of both.
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students will complete laboratory assignments and tasks designed to reinforce their learning through practical application.
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 Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Practicals Contact Practicals 12 Weeks per Stage 2.00 24
Independent Learning Non Contact Independent Learning Every Week 65.00 65
Total Weekly Contact Hours 5.00
 
Module Resources
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Jonathan W. Valvano. (2012), Embedded Systems: Introduction to Arm(r) Cortex(tm)-M Microcontrollers, 2nd Edition. Createspace Independent Pub, p.462, [ISBN: 1477508996].
  • Jonathan W. Valvano. (2011), Embedded Systems: Real-Time Interfacing to Arm(r) Cortex(tm)-M Microcontrollers, CreateSpace, p.570, [ISBN: 1463590156].
  • David Russell, Mitchell Thornton (Series Editor). Introduction to Embedded Systems: Using ANSI C and the Arduino Development Environment, Morgan and Claypool Publishers, p.276, [ISBN: 1608454983].
  • Elecia White. (2011), Making Embedded Systems, "O'Reilly Media, Inc.", p.310, [ISBN: 9781449302146].
  • Richard H. Barnett, Sarah Cox, Larry O'Cull. Embedded C Programming And The Atmel AVR, Thomson Delmar Learning, p.560, [ISBN: 9781418039592].
  • Michael J. Pont. (2001), Patterns for time-triggered embedded systems, Addison-Wesley, Harlow, [ISBN: 0201331381].
  • Michael J. Pont. (2002), Embedded C, Addison-Wesley, Boston, MA, [ISBN: 9780201795233].
  • Muhammad Ali Mazidi, Janice Gillispie Mazidi. (2000), The 8051 microcontroller and embedded systems, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., [ISBN: 9780138610227].
  • Lozano, R. (2010), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Embedded Control, Wiley-ISTE, [ISBN: 9781848211278].
  • Mordechai Ben-Ari. Ada for Software Engineers, Springer, p.524, [ISBN: 9781848823136].
  • John W. McCormick, Frank Singhoff, Jérôme Hugues. Building Parallel, Embedded, and Real-Time Applications with Ada, Cambridge University Press, p.386, [ISBN: 9780521197168].
  • Thomas L. Floyd. Digital Fundamentals, Prentice Hall, p.880, [ISBN: 9780132359238].
  • Anil K. Maini. Digital electronics, Chichester, England ; J. Wiley, c2007., [ISBN: 9780470032145].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: