This course introduces the basic concepts of digital microelectronic systems to level 1 students.  Both theoretical and practical aspects of the design of digital systems are covered.  Based around programming a modern microcontroller, and interfacing it with peripheral components, the course also introduces the concepts of embedded systems including digital and analogue input and output.

2 lectures per week

5 laboratories

None

None

Assessment

60% Examination

25% Laboratories

15% Class Test

The aims of this course are to:

■ give practical experience of designing, building and testing embedded systems based around a modern microcontroller;

■ develop skills in systematic design and documentation.

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

■ explain concept of embedded electronic systems and give examples; describe a microcontroller (MCU), how it differs from a microprocessor, how memory is organised, and different architectures in common use;

■ explain basic architecture of a modern microcontroller (eg ARM LPC1768) , including arithmetic logic unit, program memory, data memory and input/output ports;

■ identify regions of memory map, which are volatile and non-volatile; understand significance of memory-mapped input and output;

■ introduce programming in C to enable the control of a modern microcontroller;

■ describe process of writing a program in C to control analogue and digital input and output to and from a modern microcontroller using an ARM mbed as the testbed ;

■ connect LEDs to the ports and calculate the value of series resistors;

■ connect pushbuttons and explain the need for pullup resistors;

■ write programs to control analogue and digital inputs and outputs using an ARM mbed;

■ have knowledge of writing a program in assembly language and its relationship with both a C program for a microcontroller, and how the programs relate to movement of data within the microcontroller;

■ use ARM mbed development environment;

■ write C programs for an ARM mbed, compile them and demonstrate control of analogue and digital inputs and outputs to and from the microcontroller;

■ interface peripherals to an ARM mbed, and control their operation;

■ maintain an adequate laboratory record.

Students must attend the degree examination and submit at least 75% by weight of the other components of the course's summative assessment.

Students must attend the timetabled laboratory classes.

Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates.  Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.