This course provides an introduction to the design and analysis of Embedded Systems.  Embedded Systems are at the heart of almost all modern technologies; Smart Phones to televisions, cars to intelligent light bulbs.  They are one of the most important disciplines in Electronic Engineering and require a unique set of technical and analysis skills to design effectively.  Students will learn how to critically analyse embedded design problems and present solutions that integrate effectively with the world in which they must operate.  Real-time concepts will be introduced with reference to FPGA and Microcontroller systems alongside high reliability methods.

Upon completion of this course students will be able to

• Analyse the strengths and limitations of Microcontrollers and FPGAs for Embedded Systems
• Construct real time constraints from problem specifications
• Effectively integrate sensor, actuator and interface devices with Microcontrollers and FPGAs
• Apply high reliability methods to safety-critical functions
• Optimise the interaction of Embedded hardware designs with their software

Labs (5%); Assignments (5%); Major Project (30%); Exam (60%)

Two hour lecture, three hour lab each week

Enrolment in the Master of Engineering (7709 and 7710) and Master of Engineering with honours (7711)

Basic knowledge of microprocessor and FPGA technology (cf. ENGN6213 Digital Systems & Microprocessors). The course starts with a very brief recap of the relevant material.

Recommended reading:

Burns and Wellings Real-Time Systems and Programming Languages (Third Edition), Addison Wesley Longmain 2001

White, E. Making Embedded Systems, O'Reilly Media 2012

Noergaard, T Embedded Systems Architecture, Elsevier 2004

Readings specific to particular topics (such as a particular microcontrollers, sensors, etc.) may be allocated during the course.

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