Learning objectives
Embedded systems (or dedicated) are the most common application area for modern electronic devices. The aim of the course is to provide the tools for the study and design of embedded electronic systems. During the course, we will study the characteristics, the architecture, the main components. In addition, wide space will be dedicated to laboratory activities.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The course is organized according to these topics:
- Introduction to Embedded Systems (ES)
- Characteristics of an SE: Design, Market, Architecture of the ES
- Flow of HW-SW of the ES
- Typical Components HW
- Communication protocols wired: RS232/RS485, USB, Ethernet
- Wireless Communication Protocols: ZigBee, Bluetooth
- Solutions for Power
- Solutions for communication and interfacing
- The Hardware Description Language: Verilog
- Hints of Matlab as a tool for design and simulation
Full programme
THEORY:
- Introduction to the course, lab activities and Embedded Systems
- Key HW components of the ES
- The theme of HW/SW partitioning
- Circuits for I/O and introduction to the JTAG
- Introduction to SoC and SoC BUS (AVALON).
- Solutions for the supply of a ES
- Communication protocols SPI and I2C
- The serial port UART - protocols RS232, RS422, RS485
- The Fieldbus: CAN bus protocol
- Introduction to network and IP protocols
- Protocols for wireless communication.
- Introduction to FPGA and Digital Design Flow.
- The Programmable Logic FPGA from Altera Cyclone2: Analysis of characteristics.
- The Verilog Hardware Description Language
LABORATORY:
- Description of the ALTERA DE2 DEMO BOARD
- The flow of project Quartus2
- Examples of circuits realized in Verilog: FFD, Registers, Counters, SHR, FSM.
- Design and implementation of a counter-Hex that displays the output on a 7-segment display.
- Description of the main Verilog arithmetic circuits.
- Introduction to 32-bit RISC processor NIOS2
- Exercises based on NIOS2
- Laboratory activities relating to the development of the exam project.
Bibliography
The recommended text for the theory is:
Sistemi Embedded - Sviluppo Hardware e Software per sistemi dedicati - di Carlo Brandolese e William Fornaciari - PEARSON Prentice Hall
The recommended text for the laboratory is:
Progetto di sistemi elettronici digitali basati su dispositivi FPGA - di Ettore Napoli - Progetto Leonardo - Esculapio Bologna
Teaching methods
The course is divided into lectures and laboratory activities.
The lectures will examine issues related to knowledge of embedded systems.
The laboratory will develop knowledge of hardware description languages (in particular, Verilog) and design and develop of an embedded system based on a FPGA programmable logic.
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination is the discussion of a project developed during the course. This project consists an embedded digital system implemented on a board based on a programmable logic FPGA. During the discussion the knowledge of the theoretical issues studied in class will be tested.
Other information
Teaching material and further information can be found at:
https://sites.google.com/site/laboratorioedse/
