EEE3009 : Real Time and Embedded Systems
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Dr Alex Bystrov
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
1. Hardware/software design and modelling of embedded computing systems.
2. Experience in programming embedded products
3. Modelling of the real-time and concurrency aspects of embedded systems
4. Methods of implementation of concurrent behaviours in embedded systems.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Definitions, design metrics and marketing issues of embedded computing systems.
2. Real-time behaviour and concurrency modelling. Model verification.
3. Software implementation of FSM.
4. Concurrent processes and data communication between them.
5. Concurrent threads, data communication between threads, critical sections, properties.
6. Asynchronous Communication Mechanisms, properties, taxonomy, modelling, implementation.
7. Real-Time scheduling and schedulers. Optimality theorems. Design of a simple Timeline scheduler. Programming with short periodic tasks.
8. Synchronisation problem in interfacing the real-time systems to the environment.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 24 | 0:30 | 12:00 | Revision for final exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Final Exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 12 | 2:00 | 24:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 7:30 | 7:30 | Report |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Reading sources supporting lecture material. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | Supervised coursework |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 31:00 | 31:00 | Solving recommended worked problems; preparation for coursework sessions. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The fundamentals of real-time embedded systems are studied in the lectures.The guidance for further reading is provided.
The knowledge is exercised in two practical mini-projects.The first is on modelling and verification of a real-time system (a production cell),The second is on software design for a concurrent real-time system (a simple game implemented in two wirelessly communicating Pocket Pc's).
Conducting the mini-projects in small groups during the supervised practicals facilitates efficient skill/knowledge transfer from the lecturer/demonstrators to the students.Small group discussions support creative thinking.The feedback is continuously provided,thus helping to organise private study.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 60 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | 2000 words excluding illustrations and appendices. Source code must be attached. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The subject-specific baseline theory is assessed in the exam, which also includes worked problems for assessment of the problem-solving skills.
The essential design skills developed in the coursework component (including problem analysis, planning the experiment, software implementation and discussion of the experimental results) are assessed in the written report.
Semester 1 Study Abroad students will be able to sit the final assessment earlier.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EEE3009's Timetable