Course Catalogue

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This course introduces embedded systems computing platforms and examines their basic building blocks. It covers topics including, but not limited to, microcontroller unit memory architecture, interrupt-driven programming, modular programming, and testing embedded systems. The course will further provide the students with hands-on experience, through laboratory work and an individual project, necessary to create a complete working embedded system from a list of requirements.

This course will be timetabled in blocks, typically one week in four.

Mandatory Entry Requirements

None

Recommended Entry Requirements

None

None

None

Assessment

Degree exam: 75%

Reports (Total 25%): 15% on Lab Reports + 10% Written Assignment/Project Report

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

Due to the nature of the coursework and sequencing of courses, it is not possible to reassess the coursework laboratory.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Due to the nature of the coursework and sequencing of courses, it is not possible to reassess the coursework laboratory.

The initial grade on coursework laboratories will be used when calculating the resit grade.

The aims of this course are to:

■ describe the computer architecture of microcontrollers;

■ introduce embedded systems and applications;

■ develop in students an understanding of the operating principles of microcontrollers and the functional interactions between software and hardware peripherals in embedded systems;

■ to expose students to fundamental problems and operating principles of typical embedded systems;

■ to develop experience programming embedded systems.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe the software and hardware building blocks of embedded system architecture and the various types of peripherals used in embedded systems.

■ Understand/Explain the principles of embedded systems' development, from specification through to validation.

■ Apply the gained knowledge to write and execute code for embedded systems, e.g., Interrupt Service Routines (ISRs).

■ Evaluate trade-offs and choices in embedded system design, considering factors like power consumption.

■ Synthesise the knowledge to design, implement, test, and verify embedded systems, demonstrating problem-solving abilities.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment. In addition students must submit work for assessment for the course laboratory or a grade of credit withheld will be given.