Internet of Things V2: DragonBoard™ bring up and community ecosystem from Coursera

Do you want to develop skills to prototype embedded products using state-of-the-art technologies? In this course you will build a hardware and software development environment to guide your journey through the Internet of Things specialization courses. We will use the DragonBoard™ 410c single board computer (SBC).

This is the first in a series of courses where you will learn both the theory and get the hands-on development practice needed to prototype Internet of Things products. This course is suitable for a broad range of learners.

This course is for you if:

- You want to learn how to use learn how to use Linux for embedded purposes.

- You want to pivot your career towards the design and development of Internet of Things enabled products

- You are an entrepreneur, innovator or member of a DIY community

Learning Goals:

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1) Know where you can find resources and help in the 96Boards ecosystem.

2) Describe the DragonBoard™ 410c peripherals, I/O expansion capabilities, Compute (CPU and Graphics) capabilities, and Connectivity capabilities.

3) Understand how to navigate and make use of the Linux terminal.

4) Configure at least one integrated development environment (IDE) for developing software.

5) Make use of Git and GitHub for version control purposes.

6) Create and build projects that interface with sensors and actuators through GPIO and Arduino.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction and Supplemental Materials

Welcome to the Internet of Things! Before diving into this course give us a chance to let you know what it is all about! We will walk you through a module by module outline that will give you highlights on the interesting aspects of the course. In this course, you will see a lot of new words and acronyms you might not be familiar with. If you feel comfortable with your knowledge of tech terminology, feel free to skip these lessons since they will not affect the overall integrity of the course. If you see something that you want to know a little more about, feel free to watch the video to gain insight on some basic concepts. We do expect you to know the majority of this material before going into the next module, we would recommend going through the lessons as a quick brush up.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops hands-on skills in embedded systems development using the DragonBoard™ 410c single board computer

Covers a range of topics, from Linux basics to advanced project development

Suitable for beginners and experienced learners alike, with optional supplemental materials for additional support

Provides a solid foundation for further learning in the Internet of Things specialization

Led by experienced instructors with industry expertise in embedded systems

Requires basic knowledge of Linux and programming concepts

Reviews summary

Hands-on dragonboard iot introduction

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to the DragonBoard 410c and the 96Boards ecosystem. It is particularly strong in teaching Linux fundamentals for embedded systems and incorporating practical, hands-on projects involving sensors and actuators. While many students found the content valuable for getting started with IoT hardware, some reviewers noted challenges with hardware setup, specifically bricking the board or difficulties with the operating system installation. The course's reliance on specific hardware and external community resources was also mentioned. Despite these potential hurdles, the focus on practical application and version control using Git is frequently highlighted as beneficial.

Course requires specific DragonBoard

"Make sure you have the DragonBoard 410c before starting this course."

"The course is useless without having the specific board mentioned."

"Be prepared to purchase the hardware if you don't already own it."

"This course is tied to the DragonBoard 410c platform."

Learn to use ecosystem resources

"Learned where to find help and resources in the 96Boards community and documentation."

"Understanding the ecosystem was a key takeaway for continued learning."

"Navigating the community needed extra effort sometimes, but the course pointed the way."

"The course guides you on finding support and information."

Helpful introduction to embedded Linux

"The section on the Linux terminal was crucial and well-explained for beginners in embedded systems."

"Got a solid grasp of using Linux for this board and basic command line operations."

"Helped me navigate the embedded Linux environment effectively."

"I feel more comfortable working with the command line after this course."

Strong focus on practical application

"The projects using sensors and actuators were fantastic, really brought the concepts to life and solidified my understanding."

"I appreciated the hands-on coding and hardware interaction; it made the learning tangible."

"Great way to get practical experience with the DragonBoard and embedded development."

"I learned how to interface with hardware through practical examples."

Some users faced setup hurdles

"Struggled quite a bit with getting the OS flashed correctly onto the board."

"My board got soft-bricked following the instructions, needed extra troubleshooting which was frustrating."

"Initial hardware bring-up wasn't as smooth as expected for everyone."

"The setup process required careful attention and troubleshooting outside the course materials."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Internet of Things V2: DragonBoard™ bring up and community ecosystem with these activities:

Seek guidance from experienced IoT professionals

Show steps

Enhance your learning journey by connecting with experienced IoT professionals who can provide mentorship and support, accelerating your progress and deepening your understanding of the field.

Show steps

Identify IoT professionals on LinkedIn or industry forums
Reach out to potential mentors and request guidance

Explore Linux terminal commands using online tutorials

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Get comfortable with the Linux terminal by following guided tutorials and practicing commands, which will solidify your understanding of the course's Linux environment.

Browse courses on Linux

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Find tutorials on Linux terminal commands
Set up a Linux virtual machine or use a Linux-based operating system
Practice the commands explained in the tutorials

Write Python scripts to interact with sensors

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Practice writing Python scripts that interact with sensors, reinforcing your understanding of sensor interfacing and programming concepts.

Browse courses on Python

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Identify sensors and their Python libraries
Write Python scripts to read sensor data
Write Python scripts to control actuators based on sensor data

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Experiment with Arduino and sensors to monitor real-world data

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Gain hands-on experience with Arduino and sensors by building a project that monitors real-world data, reinforcing your understanding of sensor interfacing and data collection.

Browse courses on Arduino

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Choose a sensor and Arduino board for your project
Connect the sensor to the Arduino board
Write Arduino code to read sensor data and display it
Extend your project to send data to a cloud platform or display it remotely

Develop a presentation on IoT security

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Deepen your understanding of IoT security by researching and creating a presentation on the topic, enhancing your knowledge and ability to address security concerns in your IoT projects.

Browse courses on IoT Security

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Research IoT security threats and best practices
Create a presentation outlining security considerations for IoT devices
Practice delivering your presentation

Design and build a simple IoT project

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Apply the concepts learned in the course to design and build a simple IoT project, showcasing your understanding and practical skills.

Browse courses on Project Design

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Ideate and design your project
Gather necessary components and materials
Build the hardware and software components
Test and debug your project
Document your project and share it with others

Career center

Learners who complete Internet of Things V2: DragonBoard™ bring up and community ecosystem will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Software Engineer because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of software development, including programming languages, data structures, and algorithms. The course also covers agile development methodologies, which are essential for success in the software industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Hardware Engineer

A Hardware Engineer designs, develops, and maintains hardware systems. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Hardware Engineer because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of hardware design, including digital logic, microprocessors, and embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineer

An Embedded Systems Engineer designs, develops, and maintains embedded systems, which are computer systems that are designed to perform specific tasks within a larger electronic system. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as an Embedded Systems Engineer because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of embedded systems, including hardware and software development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Computer Architect

A Computer Architect designs and develops the architecture of computer systems. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Computer Architect because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of computer architecture, including processor design, memory systems, and input/output devices.

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Computer Scientist

A Computer Scientist conducts research on the theory and practice of computation. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Computer Scientist because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of computer science, including algorithms, data structures, and programming languages. The course also covers advanced topics such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist collects, analyzes, and interprets data to extract meaningful insights. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Data Scientist because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of data science, including data mining, machine learning, and statistics.

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Web Developer

A Web Developer designs, develops, and maintains websites. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Web Developer because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of web development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The course also covers advanced topics such as responsive design and web security.

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Mobile Developer

A Mobile Developer designs, develops, and maintains mobile applications. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Mobile Developer because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of mobile development, including Android and iOS development. The course also covers advanced topics such as mobile security and cross-platform development.

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Game Developer

A Game Developer designs, develops, and maintains video games. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Game Developer because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of game development, including game design, programming, and graphics. The course also covers advanced topics such as artificial intelligence and physics simulation.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and maintains documentation for technical products and services. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Technical Writer because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of technical writing, including writing style, grammar, and documentation tools.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager manages the development and marketing of products. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Product Manager because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of product management, including product planning, market research, and user experience.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Project Manager because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of project management, including project planning, scheduling, and budgeting.

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Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst analyzes and designs business systems. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Systems Analyst because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of systems analysis, including business process modeling, data modeling, and systems design.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes and solves business problems. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Business Analyst because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of business analysis, including business process modeling, data analysis, and project management.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

A Quality Assurance Analyst tests and evaluates software products to ensure their quality. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Quality Assurance Analyst because it provides a foundation in the fundamentals of software testing, including test planning, test execution, and test reporting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst