ECE 4180 Embedded Systems Design

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Embedded Systems Design covers hardware and software design for higher-end embedded systems containing X86 and ARM based technology and other embedded devices that contain a 32-bit processor, memory, and an embedded operating system. A low-cost SoC embedded computer using an ARM processor with an RTOS and networking to build Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and a larger X86 system using Windows along with various other embedded devices are used for case studies, laboratory assignments, and a final team-based student design project. The course materials are free in electronic versions, the software tools are free, and mbed kits can be purchased for the price of a textbook enabling students to work on projects at home. Basic Digital Logic, Computer Architecture, and C/C++ programming skills are prerequisites.

Course Materials

Course Syllabus

TA Lab Hours in VL C256 - click on Week view for details

Electronic version of Class PowerPoint Slides (beta edition)

Class Labs, Tests, & Handouts

Electronic version of Earlier 4180 Textbook (still useful for PC C++/C# I/O Example Details)

Electronic version of PC C++/C# Software Projects

CDROM ISO file (contains all of the two items above from second edition of older PC-based text)

mbed embedded Hardware Tutorials (used in lectures and labs)

Powerpoint Slides of Special Topic Lectures (not in Textbook Slides)

Older ARM-based mbed student projects

Recent mbed, Pi, and X86 Student Projects

Older Classic PC Hardware Reference Text

Course Outline

mbed handbook and cookbook

ECE 2035/2036/4180 mbed starter's kit details on parts and code examples

ECE 4180 Embedded Maker's Add-on kit for mbed with details on parts and code examples

C/C++ compiler options for mbed software development at GT

Intel Atom lab system board info

The ECE 2035 and 2036 mbed starter kit with the add-on ECE 4180 embedded IoT makers kit

Hardware Lecture and Laboratory Reference Materials

User Input Devices

User Output Devices

Pushbuttons and switches

Power Management

Watchdog Timers (WDT) and Brown-Out Detection

Using Assembly-Language in C/C++

Using C++ for I/O register names

Drivers, Relays, and Solid State Relays

A Case study in drivers, motors, and solenoids: Model Trains

Using a Speaker for Audio Output

IR and RF remote controls

An I/O case study using interrupts to buffer the serial port

Using, Setting, and Saving a Real Time Clock (RTC)

Using RC Servos in robotics

An Introduction to Solenoids

A PWM Case Study: RGB LED lighting effects

An RTOS Case Study: LED lighting and audio effects

A Robotics Case Study: The Shadow Robot

Software Tools for Hardware Debugging

Using Hardware Timers

Using Sonar sensors with timers and interrupts

PC Hardware Reference Text

Celeron - P6 Core Architecture Manual

Software Reference Materials

Free C++ and Java textbooks
Free C++ and Java textbooks (online GT only)
Windows Hello World and other Win32 API examples
Microsoft Software for Ga Tech ECE Students (Visual Studio for C++ and C#)
Windows Hello World, GUI, and other Win32 API examples
C++ and C# Essential Training video courses at Lynda - free for GT students
Visual C quick tutorial
X86 Assembly Language Reference Manuals

Additional Software for Lab Assignments

Mbed Offline Compiler

ISA I/O Port VHDL synthesis example for FPGA

ISA I/O Port Assembly Language Test Program

WINIO - Device Driver for Direct I/O Hardware Access under Windows

PC Software to monitor and debug network, serial, and USB I/O

Recent Student mbed Projects from ECE 4180

For additional information contact:hamblen@ece.gatech.edu