ECE4075 · Real time embedded systems

Overview

The unit enables you to understand, analyse, specify, design and test embedded systems in terms of the hardware architecture, distributed systems and the software development that deploys a real-time kernel and the migration of software to hardware. The design, analysis and implementation of a real-time kernel will be studied that includes scheduling policies, process creation and management, inter-process communication, efficient handling of I/O and distributed processor implementation issues. You will be involved in a design project that involves the hardware and real-time system design of an embedded system with hard deadlines using an FPGA development system.

Offerings

The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 40% Final assessment: 60% This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. To understand the development process for embedded systems from specification, simulation, implementation and testing
2. To gain an appreciation of the effectiveness and properties of a real-time kernel in the software development process
3. To gain a knowledge and understanding of the properties of different scheduling policies and their implementation in a real-time system
4. To understand the process of migration of a software definition to a hardware implementation as a means to accelerate an embedded system design
5. To understand the complexities and design approaches necessary in a distributed real-time embedded system.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.