MEng Mechatronic Engineering / Course details

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.

The course unit aims to:

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

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

ILO 1 - Summarise the key components of a microcontroller, with comparison to microprocessors [Developed, Assessed]

ILO 2 - Describe the operation of an ALU. [Developed, Assessed]

ILO 3 - Explain microprocessor Instruction Set Architecture and the Microarchitecture. [Developed, Assessed]

ILO 4 - Develop microcontroller software to interface with external electronics. [Developed, Assessed]

ILO 5 - Use an Integrated Development Environment for programming and debugging. [Developed, Assessed]
 

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.

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%
 

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 Two course handbooks