Embedded Systems (H7061Z)
Embedded Systems
Module H7061Z
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
An embedded system is a programmed controlling and operating system that is designed to carry out a specific task. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. Embedded systems control many devices in common use today. This module aims to introduce students to the design, implementation, modelling of embedded systems, focusing in particular microcontroller based embedded systems. This includes the architectural principles of microcontrollers and the interrelationships between hardware and software. Students will learn how to design and deploy microcontroller based embedded systems for use in real world applications. It will consist of a series of lectures and project labs. Having completed the module, students will study the higher level subjects such as Control Engineering, Digital Signal Processing, Sensor Systems and Applications and will be able to develop their own embedded systems in their final year projects.
Module Topics
This module introduces students to the modelling, design, and analysis of contemporary and future embedded systems: integrations of computation and communication with physical processes:
- Actuators and sampling
- Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog Converter
- Assembly language and pseudocode
- Communication interfaces
- Concurrent composition of state machines and hierarchical modelling
- Embedded processors
- Equivalence and refinement
- Event/Time driven programming
- Feedback control
- Finite-state machines
- I/O hardware
- Interrupts and exceptions
- Linear temporal logic
- Memory architectures
- Multitasking and scheduling
- Pulse width modulation
- Reachability analysis and model checking
- Sensors and discretisation
- Timed automata and supervisory control
- Timer/Counter
Module learning outcomes
Apply knowledge of embedded systems hardware and software design to develop solutions to real-world problems.
Analyse and evaluate the use of embedded systems to implement timing and interrupt requirements.
Design and implement software for embedded systems using appropriate programming languages and development tools.
Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to develop embedded systems that interface with external hardware components.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Examination | Summer Vacation Week 3 Mon 13:40 | 50.00% |
| Coursework | 50.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Test | EASTER Week 1 (1 hour) | 20.00% |
| Project | EASTER Week 3 | 80.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
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