AME 3623: Embedded Real-Time Systems
(Spring 2005)

This course provides an introduction to integrated hardware/software solutions in computational systems with sensing and actuation. Today, products including microwave ovens, VCRs, high-speed trains, automobiles, cochlear implants, and artificial limbs routinely employ a variety of embedded microcontrollers for process control. We will explore the concepts fundamental to these applications while designing and building our own robot controllers.

The goals of this course include:

• achieve an understanding of hardware and software systems consisting of an embedded processor, an electronic interface, and a physical plant,
• develop analytical skills and design tools at the intersection of engineering and computer science,
• and build (as part of a group) sensory and motor drivers, I/O, and control logic for an embedded application.

This is a very hands-on class: every student will be involved in the design, implementation, and programming for the class project.

Topics will include:

• digital logic and Boolean Algebra,
• sequential logic,
• number representations and arithmetic,
• basic processor design,
• embedded system development environments,
• processor input/output implementations and electronic interfaces,
• serial protocols and implementation,
• basics of operating systems (including concurrency and real-time issues), and
• issues in embedded hardware design.

Instructor: Andrew H. Fagg
Office: EL (Computer Science Department) 152
Phone: 325-8606
Office hours: M/W: 9-11 and 2-5 (look in office or in EL 124), or by appointment

Until project 1 is assigned: M 10-11, W 4-5

Teaching assistant: Mark Woehrer
Office: EL 141
Phone: 325-4624 (o); 325-3888 (l)
Office hours: Tu/Th: 10:30-12:30, 1:30-4:30 (look in office or in EL 124), or by appointment

Until project 1 is assigned: Tu 10:30-11:30, Th 3:30-4:30

Lecture Time: T/Th 9:00-10:15
Lecture Location: Carpenter 104

Textbook: An Embedded Software Primer, David E. Simon, 1999, Addison-Wesley. This book should be available from the university bookstore by the time that the class starts.

We will also have some required readings from the web (see the schedule page).

Other recommended references:

• Designing Embedded Hardware, John Catsoulis, 2002, O'Reilly.
• For those without a C background, an intro to C will be a good thing. For example, C: How to Program, Deitel and Deitel, 2003, Prentice Hall.

Important Pages

• course syllabus

• semester schedule

• course blackboard

• lecture notes

• homework assignments

• projects

• Quizzes
  • Quiz 1 solutions: postscript and pdf
  • Quiz 2 solutions: postscript and pdf

• Exams
  • Midterm: version 1 (in postscript and pdf)
    Solutions (in postscript and pdf).

  • Midterm version 2 (in postscript and pdf)
    Solutions (in postscript and pdf).

  • Final exam (in postscript and pdf)
    Solutions (in postscript and pdf).

fagg at ou.edu

Last modified: Fri May 13 10:06:04 2005