Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamentals of embedded systems and their applications in industrial environments.
2. Design and develop embedded system hardware and software.
3. Implement real-time operating systems and ensure system reliability.
4. Use industry-standard communication protocols and interfaces.
5. Address challenges and solutions for industrial embedded systems, such as safety, security, and robustness.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Embedded Systems

• Overview of embedded systems and their industrial applications
• Key components of embedded systems: microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, etc.
• Differences between general-purpose and embedded computing
• Examples of industrial embedded systems in action

Module 2: Embedded System Hardware Design

• Selection and architecture of microcontrollers and processors
• Circuit design and PCB layout for embedded systems
• Interfacing with sensors, actuators, and other peripherals
• Power management and energy efficiency considerations

Module 3: Embedded System Software Development

• Introduction to embedded C/C++ programming
• Development environments and tools (IDEs, debuggers, simulators)
• Writing and debugging embedded software
• Best practices for embedded software development

Module 4: Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

• Fundamentals of real-time systems and RTOS concepts
• Popular RTOS options (FreeRTOS, VxWorks, RTEMS, etc.)
• Task scheduling, inter-task communication, and synchronization
• Implementing real-time applications using an RTOS

Module 5: Communication Protocols and Interfaces

• Serial communication: UART, SPI, I2C
• Industrial communication standards: CAN, Modbus, Profibus, etc.
• Wireless communication: Zigbee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LoRa, etc.
• Networking and Ethernet in embedded systems

Module 6: Industrial Embedded System Applications

• Automation and control systems (PLC, SCADA)
• Industrial robotics and machine vision
• IoT in industrial environments (IIoT)
• Condition monitoring and predictive maintenance

Module 7: Capstone Project and Final Assessment

• Students work on a comprehensive capstone project involving an industrial embedded system
• Project presentations and peer evaluations
• Final exam covering theoretical and practical knowledge
• Course wrap-up and discussion of future learning paths