Rapid Prototyping of Embedded Interface Designs from Coursera

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5347, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

Rapid Prototyping is the second of three classes in the Embedded Interface Design (EID) specialization, an online version of the on-campus EID class taught in graduate embedded systems design. This course is focused on rapid prototyping of devices and systems and the related methods, practices, and principles that will help ensure your embedded interface designs are what your users both need and want. The class includes an introduction to rapid prototyping, prototyping device and system user interfaces, prototyping devices, and design considerations and perspectives for devices. The content ranges from general design best practices to specifics for embedded devices of different types and specific flavors of user interfaces, but all are presented to support developing embedded devices. The class includes practical projects that let you try some of standard methods in software development of prototype graphical user interfaces for devices using Qt and HTML. This course can be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5347, part of CU Boulder's Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Rapid Prototyping

An introduction to rapid prototyping of embedded devices and interfaces. Includes a review of prototyping; approaches, goals, fidelity, and other concerns. Also a look at the embedded device product development cycle and how it relates to prototyping, as well as special considerations for prototypes and products that use wireless communications. Includes a brief review of the class programming assignments for prototyping Qt and HTML interfaces as used for embedded devices, and pre-project preparation suggestions.

Prototyping Device UIs

A review of the mechanics and methods of creating user interfaces for embedded devices and systems. We'll look at using Qt, HTML, and other tools for creating prototype and product interfaces. We'll consider best practices for GUI designs, and look at the microinteraction model, which helps isolate key interactions to create signature moments for our device designs. The first development project, developing a Qt interface with Python, is also part of this module.

Prototyping Embedded Devices

In this module we'll look at choosing elements for prototyping embedded devices. First a look at the Pugh Matrix for assessing alternative designs by examining ranked criteria, then a review of hardware platforms and supporting software operating systems that can combine to provide a prototype of a working embedded device or system. In particular, we'll look at the elements of FreeRTOS for microprocessor based prototypes that may need IoT or cloud connectivity. The second programming project, developing an HTML-based device interface is part of this module.

Design for IoT Devices

This module examines various views of developing IoT and connected embedded devices and systems. We will consider the impact of data, its form, structure, and flow on designs, and we will consider some different perspectives on how we consider aspects of designs. We'll look at the use of Artificial Intelligence elements in developing networks of IoT devices, and we'll examine some specific design considerations foe wearable devices and voice user interfaces. Also in this module we'll perform peer reviews on the development performed earlier in the class to compare and contrast approaches for prototyping device UIs.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Offers graduate-level college credit from CU Boulder, fostering academic credibility and recognition

Provides practical projects, using industry-standard tools, to bridge theory and hands-on application

Taught by instructors with expertise in electrical engineering and embedded systems design, ensuring subject matter knowledge

Applicable to both academic and industrial settings, offering flexibility in career goals

Covers various aspects of rapid prototyping, from interface design to device development, providing a comprehensive understanding

Requires prerequisite knowledge in embedded systems design, limiting accessibility for beginners

Reviews summary

Challenging interface prototyping

According to students, Rapid Prototyping of Embedded Interface Designs is a challenging course with difficult exams, engaging assignments, and a teacher who communicates well. Peer grading can take a long time, which can be frustrating.

The instructor communicates clearly and effectively.

"he just pour all things in plain words on screen"

Assignments in this course are engaging and interesting.

"good"

Exams in this course may be challenging.

"This course is designed to make you fail."

Peer-graded assignments can take a long time to receive feedback.

"The only issue was with peer graded assignments. The grading itself took very long"

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 Rapid Prototyping of Embedded Interface Designs with these activities:

Review using Qt for graphical user interfaces.

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Start by reviewing the basics of using Qt to create graphical user interfaces. This will help you to understand the concepts behind Qt and how to use it to create your own UIs.

Browse courses on Qt

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Go over the Qt documentation
Complete a few Qt tutorials
Build a simple Qt application

Rapid Prototyping of Digital Systems: A Tutorial Approach

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Review the book 'Rapid Prototyping of Digital Systems: A Tutorial Approach' to gain a theoretical and practical understanding of rapid prototyping techniques.

View Rapid Prototyping of Digital Systems: SOPC... on Amazon

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Read the book
Complete the exercises
Apply the techniques to your own projects

Engage in peer discussion forums

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Engage in discussions with peers to clarify concepts and exchange ideas, fostering a deeper understanding of rapid prototyping principles and practices.

Browse courses on User Interface Design

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Join online discussion forums or create study groups
Participate actively in discussions, sharing insights and posing questions
Review and respond to posts from other participants

Eight other activities

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Follow tutorials on using FreeRTOS for microprocessor-based prototypes.

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Follow tutorials on using FreeRTOS for microprocessor-based prototypes to enhance your understanding of how to use this operating system in your own projects.

Browse courses on FreeRTOS

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Find some tutorials on using FreeRTOS
Follow the tutorials and build some example projects
Use FreeRTOS in your own projects

Practice designing user experiences for embedded systems using prototyping tools

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Practice designing user experiences for embedded systems using prototyping tools to reinforce understanding of interface design principles.

Browse courses on User Interface Design

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Create a variety of user interface prototypes for different embedded system applications.
Test and evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the prototypes.
Iterate on the designs based on the test results.

Practice creating HTML-based device interfaces.

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Practice creating HTML-based device interfaces to solidify your understanding of the concepts and techniques involved in this process.

Browse courses on HTML

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Find a few examples of HTML-based device interfaces online
Try to recreate these interfaces using HTML and CSS
Create your own HTML-based device interface

Develop a graphical user interface prototype

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Create a functional graphical user interface prototype to reinforce your understanding of the design and implementation of rapid prototypes for embedded devices.

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Define the purpose and requirements of your prototype
Design a user interface layout and flow
Implement the prototype using Qt or HTML
Test and evaluate your prototype

Attend a workshop on rapid prototyping

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Attend a workshop to gain practical experience and insights from experts in the field of rapid prototyping for embedded devices.

Browse courses on User interface development

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Research and identify relevant workshops
Register and attend the workshop
Actively participate in hands-on exercises and discussions
Network with other attendees and industry professionals

Develop a presentation on the benefits and challenges of using prototyping in embedded system development.

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Develop a presentation on the benefits and challenges of using prototyping in embedded system development to reinforce understanding of prototyping methodologies and their impact.

Browse courses on Prototyping

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Research the benefits and challenges of prototyping in embedded system development.
Craft a presentation that clearly outlines the advantages and disadvantages of using prototyping.
Present the presentation to a group of peers or colleagues.
Receive feedback and make any necessary revisions to the presentation.

Peer review of device UI prototypes.

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Conduct peer reviews of device UI prototypes to receive feedback and improve the usability and effectiveness of your designs.

Browse courses on Peer Review

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Find a peer to review your prototype
Swap prototypes and provide feedback
Make changes to your prototype based on the feedback

Design an IoT device using the Pugh Matrix.

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Design an IoT device using the Pugh Matrix to help you evaluate and select the best design for your project.

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Identify the criteria that are important to you for your IoT device
Generate a list of alternative designs
Use the Pugh Matrix to evaluate and select the best design

Career center

Learners who complete Rapid Prototyping of Embedded Interface Designs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing embedded systems. Embedded systems are found in a wide variety of devices, including cars, phones, and medical devices. The skills you learn in this course, especially in the modules titled Prototyping Device UIs and Prototyping Embedded Devices, may help you learn the basics of prototyping embedded systems for use in different devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

UX Designer

UX Designers focus on the user experience (UX) of products and services. This course helps build a foundation in user interface design and prototyping, especially in the Prototyping Device UIs module, where you will study tools like Qt and HTML for creating device and system UIs.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

UI Engineer

UI Engineers develop and implement user interfaces (UIs) for websites and mobile applications. This course helps build a foundation in user interface design and prototyping, especially in the Prototyping Device UIs module, where you will study tools like Qt and HTML for creating device and system UIs.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Engineer

Mobile Developer

Mobile Developers design and develop mobile applications. This course helps build a foundation in user interface design and prototyping, especially in the Prototyping Device UIs module, where you will study tools like Qt and HTML for creating device and system UIs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Developer

Front-End Developer

Front End Developers design and develop user interfaces (UIs) for websites and mobile applications. This course helps build a foundation in user interface design and prototyping, especially in the Prototyping Device UIs module, where you will study tools like Qt and HTML for creating device and system UIs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer

Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers focus on the user experience (UX) of products and services. This course helps build a foundation in user interface design and prototyping, especially in the Prototyping Device UIs module, where you will study tools like Qt and HTML for creating device and system UIs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Human-Computer Interaction Designer

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Designers focus on the interaction between humans and computers. This course helps build a foundation in user interface design and prototyping, especially in the Prototyping Device UIs module, where you will study tools like Qt and HTML for creating device and system UIs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human-Computer Interaction Designer

Backend Developer

Backend Developers work on the server-side of software. Rapid Prototyping of Embedded Interface Designs is best suited for Backend Developers who work with IoT or embedded devices. Prototyping Embedded Devices covers IoT and embedded devices, providing insight to Backend Developers who may not have direct experience with them. Likewise, the Design for IoT Devices module covers designing for such devices and systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Backend Developer

Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers design and develop products, including consumer electronics, furniture, and toys. This course may be useful to Industrial Designers who work on embedded systems or devices, especially with regard to the Design for IoT Devices module.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Test Engineer

Test Engineers test software and hardware products to ensure they meet quality standards. This course may be useful to Test Engineers who work on embedded systems or devices, especially with regard to the Prototyping Embedded Devices module.

See salaries and explore the career path for Test Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design and develop robots. This course may be useful to Robotics Engineers who work on embedded systems or devices, especially with regard to the Prototyping Embedded Devices module.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Hardware Engineer

Hardware Engineers design and develop electronic devices and systems. This course may be useful to Hardware Engineers who work on embedded systems or devices, especially with regard to the Prototyping Embedded Devices module.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. This course may be useful to Software Engineers who work on embedded systems or devices, especially with regard to the Prototyping Embedded Devices module.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Product Designer

Product Designers design and develop products, including consumer electronics, furniture, and toys. This course may be useful to Product Designers who work on embedded systems or devices, especially with regard to the Design for IoT Devices module.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Full-Stack Developer

Full Stack Developers are responsible for both the front end and back end of a website or application. This course may be useful to Full Stack Developers who work with embedded systems or devices, especially with regard to the Design for IoT Devices module.

See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer

Rapid Prototyping of Embedded Interface Designs

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Reviews summary

Challenging interface prototyping

Activities

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