Contemporary Microcontrollers for Embedded Systems Design

1.

Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje

Knowledge of the hardware and software tools necessary for implementing the contemporary 32/64-bit and multicore microcontrollers. Understanding of the embedded systems design based on specifications. Applying real-time programming techniques. Taking care of power consumption and applying power efficiency methods. Knowledge of data protection methods in interactions with other systems and Internet.

1. Characteristics of the Embedded microcomputer systems and challenges in contemporary systems design, ARM family of microcontrollers. General knowledge of embedded processors.

2. ARM Cortex family of microcontrollers, their architectures and instruction sets. Specific knowledge of ARM Cortex microcontrollers.

3. Overview of the 32/64 bit embedded peripherals and connections with the outside world, embedded Bluetooth, WiFi and GSM/GPRS connectivity. Knowledge of specific interfaces and connectivity protocols.

4. Multicore and systems on chip overview. Programming and development tools specifics. Knowledge of programming tools and usage skills.

5. Programming methods and patterns for embedded systems, real time issues. Knowledge of real-time programming approach and RTOS application.

6. Power efficiency programming approach. Power consumption awareness and methods for power reduction.

7. IoT applications and security issues, microcontroller signature, tamper pin, thrust zone boot.

8. Microcontrollers for safety applications, STM32 Cortex-R example, standards for safety embedded systems.

9. Microcontrollers for Embedded Linux applications, real time issues. Knowledge of Embedded Linux microcontroller systems design approach.

10.Signal processing and AI capable microcontrollers (Cortex M55 example). Signal processing and AI application in embedded systems knowledge.

 11. Case studies. Practical work and micro-project. Optional – other microcontroller families application. Practical knowledge and application of contemporary microcontrollers.

Main approach is hands-on learning. Students have access to various development systems and libraries and learn through experience and experimentation. Main teaching methods are consultations one-to-one and lectures, depending on student number. Occasionally they visit presentations given by industry experts. Students are also encouraged to research a problem and prepare a student paper for national or international conference.