ICS 212: Introduction to Embedded Computer Systems

Offered in Winter 2002. Course Code: 36605

Class meets Tu Th 5:00-6:20 PM in CS180.

Course Overview and Goals:

Increasing integration of communications, multimedia and processing and relentless digitization of data (including even RF data) continues to expand the scope and complexity of embedded systems. To appreciate these advances, and to productively contribute to future advances of these systems, a critical appreciation of the underlying technology underpinning is a must. The goal of this course is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the technologies behind the embedded systems, particularly, those using computing elements (processor, DSP, or ASSPs). The students develop an appreciation of the technology capabilities and limitations of the hardware, software components for building embedded systems, and methods to evaluate design tradeoffs between different technology choices.

Course Rationale and Relationship to ICS Curriculum:

Continuing advances in system software and hardware components now present exciting opportunities in building embedded systems for applications ranging from embedded control, multimedia, networking and information and biomedical appliances. Building these systems, particularly for highly integrated micro-electronic technologies and mobile applications, presents a challenge at every of level abstraction from gate-level designs to complex runtime systems. Even with a detailed technical knowledge in a specific technology area that make up an embedded system, a good system design would require understanding of the design tradeoffs across choice in technologies that make up the system. For instance, is it better to a particular interface as a gate-level logic or build the functionality into device driver software. This course fills this gap by presenting basic characteristics and usage model of the technologies that make up an embedded system and describing their relations

This course is recommended for all entering students who are affiliated with the Center for Embedded Computing Systems.
 
 

Topical Outline and Lecture Notes:

1. Introduction to embedded systems: classification, characteristics and requirements.
2. Timing and Clocks in Embedded Systems
3. Task modeling and management. Real-time operating system issues.
4. Signals: frequency spectrum, and sampling, digitization (ADC, DAC), signal conditioning and processing
5. Modeling and characterization of embedded computing systems.
6. Embedded Control and Control Hierarchy.
7. Communication strategies for embedded systems: encoding, and flow control.<
8. Fault Tolerance
9. Formal Verification

• H. Kopetz, "Real-time Systems," Kluwer, 1997
• Class lecture notes.

• R. Gupta, "Co-synthesis of Hardware and Software for Embedded Systems," Kluwer 1995.
• Additional reading from selected journal papers.

An undergraduate degree in ICS is required for this graduate course. Basic courses in digital hardware, algorithms and data structures, elementary calculus, and probability. ICS 51, ICS 152, Math 3A or 6C, ICS 161.

Course Logistics:

Four home-works and machine problems. Final project. Final grade will be based on performance in home-works, machine problems, and final project.

Announcements:

1. Course scores and grade info
2. UCI EEE Web space.
3. Check the newsgroup: ics.212.
4. Mail to class mailing list.

Handouts:

• Pointer to past reports.
• Course information handout