NG4S903 - Embedded System Design 27 Oct 2020 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG4S903
Module Title: Embedded System Design
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Information and Electronics
Faculty Sub Group: Electronics
Module Leader: Sivagunalan Sivanathan, Ben Mehenni
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100163 - electrical and electronic engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 27 Oct 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to provide an comprehensive understanding of embedded system design from both hardware and firmware perspectives, giving students the ability to critically evaluate and design, from cost effective, sustainable domplex design solution to critically meet real time constraints of real-time application.

Content Summary

The module content will ensure the student has the appropriate knowledge to develop embedded applications meeting the user's specification and to have the ability to critically evaluate the solutions for its appropriateness for meeting hard and soft real time constraints.

Embedded C programming
Superloops architecture
Structured Programming in Embedded C
Programming style and documentation

Design of an embedded Applications
Hardware and software co-design considerations
Critical evaluation existing embedded systems
case studies

MCU Architectures
Configuration of MCU Peripherals Sets

  • Basic I/O

  • Timers and Watchdog

  • Interrupts

  • UARTS and Seriol I/O

  • A/D and D/A Conversion

  • DMA access

  • Commuication peripherals such as I2C, UART, SPI etc

MCU selection Criteria by critically reviewing the technical literature sources.

Embedded system design considerations and techniques by evaluating environmental and business needs

  • Software building blocks

  • State machines design and implementation

  • Interrupts Latency

  • Critical code regions and application limitations

  • Power Management

  • Morphology of RTOS Kernel, Scheduler (pre-emptive, cooperative)

  • Use of RTOS objects, Tasks, Multitasking, , especially in Inter-tasks communications

  • Typical embedded applications with RTOS

Driver application developments for complex embedded systems

  • LCD displays

  • Keypads

Design an embedded system using an Integrated Embedded systems approach to address complex application requirements.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 48
Independent Study 112
Directed Study 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Have the ability to analyse and design safety-critical applications for reliable robust real-time embedded applications using appropriate design tools and techniques.
LO2 Critically evaluate and analyse real-time embedded solutions by considering cost and sustainability, uncertainty, customer needs and limitations supported by the technical literature.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) Development of an Embedded System using Onboard Peripherals and Interfaced Circuitry 720 N/A 40 No 50
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 End of Course Examination 120 N/A 60 No 50

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1

Reading List

James M. Conrad and Alexander G. Dean(2011), “Embedded Systems, An Introduction to using the Renesas RX62N Microcontroller”, Micrium Press, ISBN 978-1-935772-99-6

Eleicia White(2011), Making Embedded Systems: Design Patterns for Great Software, O'Rielley Books, 978-1449302146

Philip J. Koopman(2010), Better Embedded System Software, Drumnadrochit Education, 978-0984449002

 Michael Barr & Anthony Massa(2007), “Programming Embedded Systems\\\", ISBN: 0-596-00983-6

Ed Sutter(2002), “Embedded Systems: Firmware Demystified”, CMP Books, ISBN:1-57820-099-7