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Mac Bowley, Michael Conterio, Martin O'Hanlon, Mark Calleja, Ross Exton, and Alex Parry

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for teachers delivering lessons on embedded systems in the classroom, at a GCSE level or equivalent. This course will also be of interest to those with some experience of physical computing who want to move on to creating their own products. You can use the hashtag #RPiLearn to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Read more

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for teachers delivering lessons on embedded systems in the classroom, at a GCSE level or equivalent. This course will also be of interest to those with some experience of physical computing who want to move on to creating their own products. You can use the hashtag #RPiLearn to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

  • The difference between embedded systems and general-purpose systems
  • How to decompose a product into features, tasks, and components using a block diagram
  • What is real-time computing and why is it important?
  • How to apply an iterative design process
  • Prototyping
  • Designing a finished physical product
  • Connecting a device to the internet to provide functionality

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Reviews summary

Practical embedded systems with pi

According to learners, this course offers a strong practical introduction to embedded systems design, particularly for hobbyists and educators. Its hands-on Raspberry Pi projects are frequently praised as engaging and helpful for solidifying concepts. While providing an excellent foundation, some more experienced students found the content too basic, indicating it's best suited for beginners or those transitioning from other fields. The course is noted for its clear explanations and focus on prototyping and real-world application, with recent reviews confirming its relevance.
Mostly considered up-to-date, addressing a minor older concern.
"The content felt very up-to-date and relevant. I would highly recommend it for educators or first-time embedded project builders."
"While some technical references felt a bit outdated, I found the core concepts timeless and relevant for modern projects."
"This course provides an excellent foundation, especially with its focus on connecting devices to the internet, which is valuable today."
Explanations are clear, covering key design aspects.
"The explanations of block diagrams and product decomposition were clear. The focus on connecting devices to the internet was particularly relevant."
"The module on real-time computing was insightful. I liked how it walked you through designing a physical product and connecting it."
"The way it breaks down complex topics into digestible modules is superb. It truly delivers on 'design' and 'prototype' for entry-level systems."
An excellent introductory course for teachers and hobbyists.
"This course was a fantastic introduction to embedded systems design, especially for someone coming from a non-engineering background."
"As a high school teacher, this course provided excellent material and practical ideas for my GCSE computing class."
"It's great for anyone looking to build their own gadgets. This course provided me with a good foundation for smart home projects."
Practical Raspberry Pi projects reinforce learning effectively.
"The hands-on Raspberry Pi projects were incredibly engaging and really helped solidify the concepts."
"Very practical and hands-on. The projects are well-explained and make use of the Raspberry Pi effectively."
"The practical examples using Raspberry Pi are invaluable for teaching. I enjoyed the practical application and found it well done."
Too basic for experienced professionals or advanced learners.
"Found this course too basic for my needs... it skimmed over a lot of the deeper embedded concepts."
"If you're completely new to this, it's a good start, but as someone with some prior experience, I felt it didn't push me enough."
"I needed more advanced topics like RTOS specifics or lower-level hardware interaction. Disappointed by the lack of depth."

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Provides a comprehensive and practical guide to Arm Cortex-M0+ processor-based embedded system design. It covers the entire design process, from hardware selection to software development.
Provides a comprehensive and practical introduction to embedded system design. It covers the entire design process, from hardware selection to software development.
Provides a comprehensive and practical introduction to embedded system design. It covers the entire design process, from hardware selection to software development.
Provides a comprehensive overview of embedded systems, covering both hardware and software aspects. It is suitable for both students and engineers.
Provides a unique and integrated approach to embedded system design. It covers both hardware and software aspects, and focuses on the design process.
Provides a practical and hands-on introduction to embedded system design. It covers hardware, software, and design techniques.
Provides a comprehensive and practical guide to embedded system design using FPGAs. It covers the entire design process, from hardware selection to software development.
Provides a comprehensive and practical introduction to embedded system design. It covers the entire design process, from hardware selection to software development.
Foundational text for understanding the principles of embedded software development. It provides a clear introduction to core concepts like real-time operating systems, task management, and inter-task communication. It is particularly useful for students and those new to the field to gain essential prerequisite knowledge before diving into more complex topics. While an older publication, its fundamental concepts remain highly relevant.
Focuses on the practical aspects of embedded software development, emphasizing design patterns and best practices. It helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, making it valuable for students and professionals alike. The book is well-regarded for its approachable style and practical advice, solidifying understanding of how to build robust embedded systems. It is often recommended as a key resource for those looking to improve their embedded programming skills.
A classic guide to programming for embedded systems using C and C++. covers essential techniques and considerations for writing code in resource-constrained environments. It provides a solid foundation in the programming languages commonly used in embedded development. While some of the specific examples might be dated, the core principles and practices for embedded C/C++ programming remain highly valuable for students and practitioners.
Offers a comprehensive overview of both the hardware and software aspects of embedded systems, emphasizing their crucial interaction. It provides a broad understanding of the components and design considerations involved in creating embedded systems. Useful for students and those seeking a holistic view, it helps solidify the understanding of how hardware and software co-function in embedded design. It serves as a good reference for system-level understanding.
Focused specifically on the hardware side of embedded systems design, this book is valuable for those wanting to deepen their understanding of the physical components and their selection. It covers topics such as microcontrollers, memory, and peripherals, essential for a well-rounded embedded systems knowledge. is particularly useful for software developers who need to understand the hardware constraints and capabilities they are programming for, and for hardware engineers entering the embedded field.
A deep dive into the architecture and programming of ARM Cortex-M3 and Cortex-M4 processors, this book is for those looking to significantly deepen their understanding of these specific cores. It valuable reference for experienced embedded engineers working with these processors. The book's detailed coverage makes it suitable for graduate-level study and professional development, adding significant depth for those specializing in ARM-based systems.
Focuses on developing embedded systems using Linux, a crucial skill for more complex embedded projects. It covers topics like the Yocto Project and building custom embedded Linux distributions. This book is ideal for those with a foundational understanding of embedded systems and C programming who want to move towards more powerful platforms. It valuable resource for professionals and advanced students, adding breadth to their knowledge in embedded operating systems.
Another key book for understanding and building embedded Linux systems. It provides practical guidance on setting up a development environment and creating embedded Linux distributions. is suitable for those with some embedded background looking to specialize in Linux-based systems. It serves as a useful reference for the build process and components of embedded Linux.
Offers a practical introduction to embedded Linux, focusing on real-world applications and techniques. It good starting point for those new to embedded Linux after gaining foundational embedded knowledge. The book helps solidify understanding through hands-on examples and is suitable for advanced undergraduate students and engineers beginning with embedded Linux.
This practical book guides the reader through implementing and working with Real-Time Operating Systems on microcontrollers. RTOS critical topic for developing responsive embedded systems, and this book provides hands-on experience. It is ideal for those who have a basic understanding of microcontrollers and C programming and want to learn how to use an RTOS effectively. adds significant depth to understanding real-time behavior.
Delves into the fundamental concepts behind real-time operating systems and their application in embedded systems. It provides a theoretical foundation necessary for understanding the complexities of real-time behavior and scheduling. Suitable for advanced students and professionals, it offers a deeper understanding of the constraints and design considerations in real-time embedded systems. It is more theoretical and complements practical RTOS books.
Introduces the crucial software development practice of Test-Driven Development (TDD) specifically for embedded systems using C. It addresses the unique challenges of testing embedded software. This book is essential for embedded software engineers looking to improve code quality and reduce debugging time. It is highly recommended for professionals and advanced students focusing on robust software engineering practices in the embedded domain.

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