BEng Electronic Engineering with Industrial Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2023

Course unit details:
Microcontroller Engineering I

Course unit fact file
Unit code EEEN10202
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Microcontrollers are the basic building blocks for embedded systems and IoT.

This unit provides a low-level understanding on how microcontroller work and an appreciation of the architectural decisions made in designing them.

 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Circuit Analysis EEEN10121 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Digital System Design I EEEN10131 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Electronics Project EEEN10141 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
C Programming EEEN10242 Co-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

The course unit aims to:

Provide an understanding of the architecture, programming and interfacing of microcontrollers, using the Microchip PIC18F8722 as a specific example.

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Developed

Assessed

ILO 1
  • Summarise the key components of a microcontroller, with comparison to microprocessors

Y

Y

ILO 2
  • Describe the operation of an ALU.

Y

Y

ILO 3
  • Explain microprocessor Instruction Set Architecture and the Microarchitecture.

Y

Y

ILO 4
  • Develop microcontroller software to interface with external electronics.

Y

Y

ILO 5
  • Use an Integrated Development Environment for programming and debugging.

 

Y

Y

 

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures with hands-on learning activities, both in lab and independently by the student. Blackboard quizzes for formative feedback. In lab assessments for formative and summative feedback. Worksheets, questions, formative tests, and worked examples throughout the unit. Blackboard used for announcements, quizzes, and electronic versions of: handbooks, lectures slides, past papers and laboratory materials.

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 40%
Written exam 60%

Practical exam. Calculators are not permitted. - 1 Hour - 20%

Written exam - 60%

5 formative feedback quizzes. Open book. - 20 Minutes each

In lecture formative tests. - 40 Minutes each

Mock written exam. - 40 Minutes

Mock practical exam. - 1 Hour

Coursework: Three in-laboratory assessments. Open book. - 1 Hour each - 20%

 

Feedback methods

.

Recommended reading

 Two course handbooks

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 18
Practical classes & workshops 20
Tutorials 2
Independent study hours
Independent study 60

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Samuel Walsh Unit coordinator

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