Module B: Designing Embedded Systems

This course is part of the Embedded System module B and is closely related to its sibling course Programming Embedded Systems. 

Embedded systems are small microcontroller devices, which are part of a larger control system. Why do some large computer controlled systems need smaller subsystems? Is there not enough computation power? In fact, the problem is not the computation power, it's the sheer number of relatively simple tasks demanding real-time control. This means the system must concurrently run a large number of programs with a specified functionality as well as a specified execution speed. The limiting factor is logistics rather than pure computation power. The solution is a distributed computer system where smaller embedded subsystems are responsible for the timeline. 

Students are already familiar with most microcontroller architectures. This course is about real-time capabilities of digital structures. Some architectures are time deterministic like successive approximation AD converters, others introduce time unpredictability like dual slope AD converters. Obviously, not all digital architectures are suitable for embedded systems. 

Understanding fundamentals of embedded microcontroller systems. Mastering procedures for hardware design of arbitrary embedded systems. Developing practical skills during project oriented laboratory work in combination with course 64137.

Lectures, discussion groups, laboratory project work (group and individual).