Computer Systems II

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Write system-level code
• Build and debug applications running on a microcontroller
• Implement software on an embedded system
• Design algorithms for resource-constrained systems
• Implement simple operating system components

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Key concepts of real-time systems
• The capabilities and peculiarities of embedded systems
• Key concepts of operating systems
• The hardware requirements implied by software functionality

Programming embedded systems

• Debugging with limited I/O and memory
• Asynchronous & reentrant code
• Real-time programming

Input/Output

• Physical Interfaces
• Interrupts
• Drivers

Event-driven programming

• State machines
• Actors

Timing

• Hardware timer
• Watchdogs

Memory management

• Bootloader
• Stack vs. heap
• RAM vs. Flash
• Multiprogramming

Scheduling

• Pre-emptive multitasking
• Real-time scheduling
• Performance

Serial Communication

• UART, I2C/SPII, USB

File Systems

• Flash file systems
• FAT-FS

Embedded Applications

• Power consumption
• Reliability

Teaching and learning methods

The content of this module is delivered through lectures, the module website, and directed reading.

Students work on their understanding through a combination of independent study and preparation for timetabled activities, along with formative assessments in the form of coursework assignments.

Students work on their practical skills and technical understanding in technical laboratories.

Assessment strategy

This module is assessed by a combination of coursework and a final assessment in the form of a written examination.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.