PROG H3603 - Programmable Electronics

Module Title:Programmable Electronics
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 10
NFQ Level:7
Module Delivered In No Programmes
Teaching & Learning Strategies: A combination of lectures, class discussion, tutorials, practicals and demonstrations will be used.
Module Aim: To give the student the knowledge, competencies and skills to design and implement electronic systems using programmable electronic devices such as microcontrollers and programmable logic devices (PLD).
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Describe the operation of a microcontroller based embedded computer system and its component parts.
LO2 Interface a microcontroller to peripheral components to form an embedded system.
LO3 Develop and test a programme for a microcontroller based system using contemporary microcontroller development tools.
LO4 Describe the structure of a field programmable gate array (FPGA).
LO5 Develop HDL models of basic combinational and sequential logic which can be implemented using an FPGA and simulated using contemporary FPGA development tools.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Microcontroller Architecture
Architecture of a microcontroller (CPU, ALU, memory and I/O).
Interfacing
I/O and interfacing to sensors, switches, displays, shift registers, etc.
Software Development
Program development for a microcontroller.
Communications
Serial communications, e.g. RS232, SPI, etc.
Interrupts
Polling and interrupts, interrupt service routines (ISRs).
Timers
Timers and timer interrupts.
Debug
Testing and debugging microcontroller based systems, need for test, breakpoints, single stepping, etc.
Logic synthesis
Logic synthesis using a MUX or LUT. Structure and operation of a contemporary programmable logic device (PLD) such as an FPGA.
Hardware Description Languages
Development of HDL models of basic combinational and sequential logic which can be implemented using an FPGA and simulated using contemporary FPGA development tools.
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment20.00%
Practical20.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Examination Students will be assigned a number of assignments and/or class tests as part of the assessment of this module. Students may be asked to complete assignments during class or as homework. 1,2,3,4,5 20.00 n/a
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation Students will complete practical assignments involving the design, programming and testing of microcontroller based embedded systems. Students will be required to keep a record of practical work and write a brief report on each assignment. 2,3 12.00 Every Week
Practical/Skills Evaluation Students will complete practical assignments involving the design, programming and testing of FPGA based digital circuits. Students will be required to keep a record of practical work and write a brief report on each assignment. 5 8.00 Every Week
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam A final written examination will assess learning outcomes. 1,2,3,4,5 60.00 End-of-Semester

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Every Week 3.00
Practicals Every Week 2.00
Independent Learning Every Week 3.00
Total Hours 8.00