School of Computing

Module details

EL667 Embedded Computer Systems (15 credits)

Syllabus

This module introduces the theory and practice of employing computers as the control and organisational centre of an electronic or mechanical system, and examines issues related to time critical systems. It also provides exposure to practical embedded systems design through practical work, with one assignment exploring the ideas of real-time operating systems introduced in the lectures and a second using a microcomputer programmed in 'C' to control the ignition timing of a simulated car petrol engine.

  • Introduction to PIC
    An introduction to PIC microcontroller. The programmer's model, instruction set and addressing modes The structure of the PIC and its polling and interrupt input/output mechanisms. Compiling and downloading programmes.
  • Embedded and real time systems
    An introduction to operating systems. Real time operating system features. Concurrent processes and priority. Synchronising processes. Hardware and operating system constraints. Deadlines and real time scheduling. Inter-task communication, message passing and threads. Multi-processor systems and redundancy. Hardware for real time. Safety critical systems. Case studies.
  • Microcomputer architecture applications and performance
    A series of case studies illustrating design and performance issues for real-time embedded systems leading to an introduction for the assignment to control a petrol engine.

This module is delivered by the School of Engineering and Digital Arts.

Note

This web page provides advance information about a module due to run in the coming academic year. We believe the details are accurate at the time of writing but they may be subject to change.

School of Computing, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NF

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Last Updated: 24/09/2010 15:17