Phys/CSc 3510 Introductory Embedded Systems Laboratory

Tentative Syllabus

Computer Number: 1903
Classroom: 232 SC
Time: MW 4:35-5:25 p.m. (lecture), MW 5:25-6:55 p.m. (lab)

Instructor: Dr. Michael Weeks
Computer Science Department
Office: 732 College of Education building
Office Hours: 5:30-6:30 Wednesdays and 3-4 Fridays

web-page: http://carmaux.cs.gsu.edu/~mweeks/csc3510
e-mail: mweeks

Phone: (404) 651-0660

Teaching Assistant : Mr. Kenan Yang
TA's e-mail: yangkenan

Texts:

Murray Sargent III and Richard L. Shoemaker. The Personal Computer from the Inside Out. Third Edition. Addison-Wesley. 1994. ISBN 0-201-62646-2
Note: Yes, this is the same book used in Spring 2000/2001.

Steve Heath. Embedded Systems Design. Newnes. 1997, 1999. ISBN 0-7506-3237-2
Note: This is the same book used in Spring 2001 (but not Spring 2000).

Objectives:

This lecture/lab course introduces students to principles, methodologies, and procedures for embedded systems. The goal is to learn how to bring hardware (microprocessors, sensors, displays, etc.) and software (programming language, operating system, etc.) together to specify, design, and implement system solutions to producing whole, complete products.

Topics

¨ Basic logic functions (review): gates, flip-flops, latches and registers, counters, decoders, and sequencers.
¨ Automatic systems: clocks, timing signals, sequential operations.
¨ Microprocessor-based systems: microprocessors as electronic devices.
¨ Embedded systems software survey: microkernel operating systems, programming environments.
¨ Microprocessor and microcomputer-based applications: analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversions, data acquisition and sampling, process control.
¨ Digital communications: serial and parallel data transfer.
We will also work with special equipment such as TMS320C6711 boards. These are programmed in C.

Format:

Approximately two-thirds of the course contact time will be in performing laboratory experiments, and one-third of the course contact time will be in lab lectures. Six lab experiments and one lab project are planned. There will be two tests scheduled to cover the following topics:

TestTopics

1. basic logic functions; automatic systems; microprocessor-based systems
2. embedded systems software; microprocessor and microcomputer-based applications; digital communications

Grading:
Each lab experiment will be performed and data will be collected jointly by two-student lab teams. On each experiment, each student will individually analyze and interpret the data and will individually write a lab report. There will be a team lab project at the end of the course that synthesizes the lab procedures and course content learned. This project will be developed jointly by all student members of a team.

DeliverableWeight

Lab Experiment Reports (Approximately 6) 40%

Tests (approximately 2) 35%

Project  25%

Grade Calculation Example
Suppose an undergraduate student receives the following grades.
Test 1: 80/90 = 89%, Test 2: 76/100 = 76%
Lab 1: 92/100 = 92%, Lab 2: 182/200 = 91%, Lab 3: 72/100 = 72%, Lab 4: 83/100 = 83% Lab 5: 79/100 = 79% Lab 6: 87/100 = 87%
Project: 81/100 = 81%, Report: 85/90 = 94%
Grade = ((89 + 76)/2)*(.35) + ((92 + 91 + 72 + 83 + 79 + 87)/6)*(.40) + ((81+94)/2)*(.25)
Grade = ((165/2)*(.35) + ((504/6)*(.40) + (175/2)*(.25)
Grade = 82.5*.35 + 84*.40 + 87.5*.25
Grade = 28.875 + 33.6 + 21.875 = 84.35 = B

Attendance:
Attendance is vital to success in this class. Roll will be taken during class, and a late student will be counted as absent. If a student is marked absent 2 or more classes in a row then he (or she) may be dropped from this class. Anyone missing approximately 10% of the classes without notifying the professor in advance and obtaining the professor's concurrence may be withdrawn from the course or receive a lower (possibly failing, e.g. WF or F) course grade at the discretion of the professor; anyone receiving V.A. benefits will be reported to the Dean's Office in these circumstances. Students are responsible for all material covered or assigned in class whether or not it is in the text.

Prerequisites:
Computer Science majors: CSc 3210, Phys 3500; or consent of instructor
Physics majors: Phys 3500; or consent of instructor

Office Hours:
To schedule an appointment outside of the office hours above, contact the professor with 3 dates and times when you are available, and be prepared to meet at one of those times.

Notes:
The labs will build on each other. Do NOT take the chips and wires off of the prototyping boards until you are sure you won't need them again. Also, for the early labs, try to keep your projects neat and confined to a small area. This will allow you to add things more easily.

There is no final exam. Instead, you will present the lab project at the time and date that the final is scheduled. There will be a poster session, where you will explain (possibly to outside observers) what your project does.

Be aware that if you miss class, you will be hurting your lab partner as well as yourself.
 

All dates are subject to change. It is important that students pay attention to the due dates given on the assignments. This is a tentative schedule and the actual due dates may vary from the ones given below.

Unless otherwise specified in class, the lab will be due on the date given for the start of the next lab. Late homeworks/labs will be accepted up until 7 calendar days of when it was originally due, but with a penalty of one letter grade (10%). Late copies of the last homework/lab will not be accepted (this is a hard time constraint).

POP QUIZZES may be given to the class, at the instructor's discretion, therefore it is important to attend all classes. These pop quizzes (if any are given) will factor into the quiz/test grade. If you get below an 80% score on a pop quiz, it indicates that you need to dedicate more time to studying the material.