Embedded Systems Design and Implementation

In line with the profile of the department (as discussed in my previous post), we are often improving the curriculum so that we can graduate professionals that are proficient in both software and hardware parts of a computing system. A specific type of computers are the so called embedded systems: computers that have a specific functionality and must perform them very efficiently, often as part of a larger system or network. Examples of embedded systems include a mobile phone, the motor controller of an industrial robot, a car's anti-lock braking system or the digital audio effect rack used by recording studios. It is estimated that 98% of all computers are actually embedded systems (yes, that's right, all PCs, laptops and servers account for only 2% of all computers!)

For many years already, our Computer Science degree programme has included a module called Embedded Systems which covers basic and advanced topics in that area. It makes sure that our graduates learn to fine-tune a computer system so that it can fulfil the requirements of specific applications and functionality. Recognising the importance of that area and its wide range of applications, we expanded that module, which is now called Embedded Systems Design and Implementation. It focuses on the complete engineering flow: specification, design, implementation and validation. Additional content and new lab sessions were added, so that students have a chance to learn and practice the following skills:

• specification of functionality at system level (unified hardware/software view)
• different approaches to implement functionality in hardware or in software 
• embedded software implementation 
• wireless communication design
• on-chip communication design
• custom hardware design using FPGAs

I'll post more details about some of those topics soon.