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Microprocessors and Peripherals

Code: 102793 ECTS Credits: 6
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
2502441 Computer Engineering OB 3
2502441 Computer Engineering OT 4

Contact

Name:
Dolores Isabel Rexachs Del Rosario
Email:
dolores.rexachs@uab.cat

Teachers

(External) Eduardo Cabrera

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites. It is also recommended for students to have notions of Computer Structure and Computer Architecture.


Objectives and Contextualisation

This course, of the Computer Engineering Mention, is in the third course, the second semester of the degree, within the subject "Design of computer systems oriented to applications".

"Microprocessors and Peripherals" is related to the subjects of Computer Fundamentals, Operating Systems, Computer Structure, and Computer Architecture.

The aim of the course is for students to understand the fundamental components used in the design of systems based on digital processors (microprocessors and peripheral devices) and how they are interconnected, analyzing the different interfaces.

Apply knowledge of computer architecture and system design to select the features of the microcontroller, peripherals and peripheral controllers best suited to the needs of the application.

Select the most suitable platform for the design of a system for a specific application and design and develop the solution based on the selected microcontroller.

 


Competences

    Computer Engineering
  • Have the capacity to define, evaluate and select hardware and software platforms for the development and execution of computer systems, services and applications.
  • Have the capacity to design and build digital systems, including computers, microprocessor based systems and communication systems.
  • Have the capacity to develop specific processors and embedded systems and to develop and optimise the software of said systems.
  • Have the right personal attitude.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply knowledge of computer architecture and system design in order to select the processor or embedded system characteristics that best adapt to the needs of the application.
  2. Classify the different types of digital system.
  3. Develop curiosity and creativity.
  4. Identify the possible digital system based architectures for the design of microprocessor based computing systems.
  5. Select the most suitable platform for a specific application and design and develop the solution based on the corresponding microprocessor.

Content

Block 1. Design of computer systems based on microprocessors and microcontrollers.

  • General purpose digital processors for the design of systems based on applications: Microcontrollers, DSP
  • Design Methods
  • Selection criteria

Block 2. Peripheral devices. Storage systems.

  • Input Peripherals
  • Output Peripherals
  • Storage Devices
  • Interconnection of the peripheral device. Buses.

Block 3. Performance evaluation.

  • Specifying and selecting metrics to evaluate performance, reliability, availability, sustainability, and energy efficiency.
  • Impact of performance, reliability, and energy consumption on design and implementation.
  • Methods and models to evaluate performance.

Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Exercises classes 12 0.48 1, 2, 5
Laboratory classes and Final test 6 0.24 1, 2, 4, 5
Mandatory laboratory classes 12 0.48 3, 5
Theory classes 22 0.88 1, 2, 4, 5
Tutoring and consults 2 0.08 3
Type: Supervised      
Exercises and practices preparation 6 0.24 1, 3
Exercises, reports, and practical assignements 2 0.08
Type: Autonomous      
Personal work 70 2.8 1, 2, 4, 5
Preparation of works and reports of laboratory classes 10 0.4 1, 3, 5

The teaching methodology followed in the subject is based on a series of training activities that require the presence of the student in the classroom or laboratory, and a series of individual activities that require personal work on the part of the student. 

Training activities

  • Theoretical lectures
  • Exercise-based classes
  • Mandatory laboratory classes: They will be carried out in a specific laboratory of the subject
  • Supervised activities: Tutoring and consultations. The virtual campus (ALUA Moodle) will be used to facilitate interaction.
  • Autonomous: Preparing exercises and practical assignments. Other independent studies
  • There is no differentiated treatment for repeating students.
 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exercises resolution 20% 2 0.08 1, 2, 3, 4
Individual tests 50% 6 0.24 1, 2, 4, 5
Mandatory laboratory 30% 0 0 1, 3, 5

The evaluation of the degree of acquisition of the competencies on the part of the students is carried out on:

  • Two individual tests. As part of continuous assessment, the first test will take place during lectures; the second (Final exam) will take place on the date specified by coordination.
  • Exercise resolutions. As part of continuous assessment, activities must be carried out or exercises must be solved  (via online quizzes). The non-online activities or exercises will take place during the exercise sessions.
  • The activity carried out in the laboratory.

 An overall grade of 5 or higher is required to pass the subject. The laboratory practices cannot be approved without a minimum attendance of 85% at the practice sessions and the reports delivered and approved. In order to pass the course, it will be necessary to obtain a minimum grade of 5 in the activities. Keep in mind that the activity "Laboratory practices" is non-recoverable, therefore suspending it with a grade lower than 5, means not being able to pass the course.

Continuous-assessment dates will be published on Campus Virtual and on the presentation slides, specific programming may change when necessary. Any such modification will always be communicated to students through Campus Virtual, which is the usual communication platform between lecturers and students. To participate in the recovery process it is necessary to have obtained a minimum grade of 3 in the average of the subject.

In order to pass the course with honours, the final grade must be a 9.0 or higher. Because the number of students with this distinction cannot exceed 5% of the number of students enrolled in the course, this distinction will be awarded to whoever has the highest final grade.

 A "non-assessable" grade cannot be assigned to students who have participated in any of the individual partial tests or the final exam.

 Notwithstanding other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with the academic regulations in force, assessment activities will receive a zero whenever a student commits academic irregularities that may alter such assessment. Assessment activities graded in this way and by this procedure will not be re-assessable. If passing the assessment activity or activities in question is required to pass the subject, the awarding of a zero for disciplinary measures will also entail a direct fail for the subject, with no opportunity to re-assess this in the same academic year.

No special treatment will be given to students who have completed the course in previous academic years 

This subject does not offer the possibility of a unique/single evaluation.


Bibliography

Marilyn Wolf (2012) Computers as Components: Principles of Embedded Computing System Design. 3rd Edition. Morgan Kaufmann.

Sarah Harris, David Harris. (2015) Digital Design and ComputerArchitecture, ARM Edition. Morgan Kaufmann. Elsevier Science & Technology.

Sarah Harris, David Harris. (2021)Digital Design and ComputerArchitectureRISC-V Edition . Morgan Kaufmann. Elsevier Science & Technology.

Antonio Díaz Estrella. TEORIA Y DISEÑO CON MICROCONTROLADORES DE FREESCALE. (2008) MCGRAW-HILL. ISBN 9788448170882

Muhammad Ali Mazidi; Shujen Chen; Sarmad Naimi; Sepehr Naimi. Freescale ARM Cortex-M Embedded. Programming Using C Language. (2014) Kindle Edition. Published October 31st 2014 by Mazidi & Naimi

Elecia White. (2011). Making Embedded Systems: Design Patterns for Great Software. O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Christopher Kormanyos. (2015). Real-Time C++: Efficient Object-Oriented and Template Microcontroller Programming. Springer

Joseph Yiu. (2011). The Definitive Guide to the ARM Cortex-M0  Elsevier.  /  Yiu, Joseph,  Llibre en línia.


Software

Code Warrior (FRDM-KL25Z)

C Compiler (gcc)

Assembler (ARM)

Visual Studio Code 

MCUXpresso IDE (FRDM MCXA153)


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 431 Spanish second semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 430 Spanish second semester morning-mixed