Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems from Coursera

All about practical programming and creating IoTs applications!

In this course, we will talk about two components of a cyber-physical system, namely hardware and operating systems.

After completing this course, you will have knowledge of both hardware components and operating systems. You are able to plan and use embedded operating systems in resource-constraint devices for Internet-of-Things (cyber-physical system) applications. In addition, you can use Cooja simulation for designing and simulating wireless sensor network applications.

The course offers 4 modules, each with a graded quiz in the end and finally, one peer-reviewed programming assignment. In case you have no experience with C programming, please check a practical course like: https://www.coursera.org/learn/arduino-platform.

The course is actually quite fun at the end when you play around with Cooja simulation for IoTs applications. So you can create and simulate your own design for sensor network applications. A lot of features and examples of Contiki and Cooja can be explored via assignments. There are some optional assignments of wireless sensor network applications for students who want to explore more about embedded OS in IoTs applications.

- Marco Ramirez /University of Turku

- Igor Tcarenko/ University of Turku

- Nguyen Gia Tuan /University of Turku

Ideate. Innovate. Iterate with EIT Digital

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Embedded Hardware

This week will start from the basic information about Embedded Systems. Specifically, you will learn (1) what are embedded systems and where they are applied as well as (2) the main characteristics and challenges of embedded systems. (3) You will discover how embedded systems communicate with the outer world.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores how to create Internet-of-Things applications

Provides a comprehensive understanding of both hardware components and operating systems

Covers a range of topics, from embedded hardware to Contiki OS and Cooja simulation

Emphasizes practical programming and creating IoT applications

Requires some background in C programming

Designed for learners with an interest in embedded hardware and IoT applications

Reviews summary

Practical embedded systems and iot foundation

According to learners, this course offers a solid introduction to embedded hardware and operating systems, with a particular focus on Contiki OS and Cooja simulation. Students frequently highlight the practical assignments and simulation exercises as major strengths, providing valuable hands-on experience with IoT applications and wireless sensor networks. However, several reviewers note that the course assumes a strong prerequisite in C programming, which can make the assignments challenging for those without sufficient background. While the foundational modules are well-received, some students feel that certain topics could be covered in greater depth.

Assignments are practical, quizzes can be tricky.

"The peer-reviewed programming assignment was challenging but very rewarding and helped solidify my knowledge."

"Assignments are well-designed and connect well with the simulation tools."

"The quizzes sometimes felt disconnected from the main lecture points or were poorly worded."

"Assignments are great for applying knowledge, but be prepared for the difficulty curve, especially with the C requirement."

Covers core concepts effectively.

"It provided a really good overview of embedded systems, processors, and the different types of operating systems."

"The modules on embedded operating systems and their functionalities were clear and informative."

"I gained a solid understanding of how embedded OS manage memory, tasks, and interrupts from this course."

"A good starting point for understanding the basics of embedded hardware and OS."

Hands-on Cooja labs are a major plus.

"The Cooja simulation assignments were incredibly helpful for visualizing concepts and applying what I learned."

"Playing around with Cooja simulation for IoT applications was the most fun part of the course."

"The practical assignments simulating wireless sensor networks are a strong highlight, making the theory click."

"I appreciated the chance to design and simulate my own sensor network application using Cooja."

Some areas lack sufficient detail.

"Could use more in-depth coverage on complex topics or optimization techniques for resource-constrained devices."

"I felt some of the OS concepts were introduced but not explored in enough detail for me."

"While the introduction is good, more advanced students might find the material basic in certain modules."

"Would have liked deeper dives into specific hardware interactions or different embedded OS kernels."

Requires solid C programming background.

"Even though they mention a C pre-req, the course moves very fast and you really need to be proficient to keep up with the assignments."

"If you're not comfortable with C programming, the programming assignment will be a significant hurdle."

"The course strongly assumes a pre-existing level of comfort with C beyond basic syntax."

"Had to spend a lot of extra time brushing up on my C skills to complete the labs."

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 Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems with these activities:

Review C programming concepts

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Refresh your memory on the basics of C programming before starting this course.

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Review online tutorials or documentation
Complete practice exercises or coding challenges

Connect with experts in the field of embedded systems and IoT

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Gain insights and guidance from experienced professionals in the field.

Browse courses on Embedded Systems

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Attend industry events and conferences
Join online communities and forums
Reach out to professors or researchers in your field

Compile a list of resources on embedded systems and IoT

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Create a valuable resource for yourself and others by compiling a list of relevant materials.

Browse courses on Embedded Systems

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Search for online resources, articles, and tutorials
Organize and categorize the resources
Share your compilation with the class

Ten other activities

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Explore Cooja Simulator Tutorials

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Expand your knowledge of Cooja Simulator by following online tutorials, enhancing your ability to simulate wireless sensor networks.

Browse courses on Network Simulation

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Find relevant Cooja tutorials
Follow tutorials to learn simulation techniques
Experiment with different Cooja settings

Practice embedded hardware concepts

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Practice using embedded hardware concepts to strengthen your understanding of the fundamentals.

Browse courses on Embedded Hardware

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Review the basics of embedded hardware
Complete hands-on exercises with embedded hardware
Troubleshoot common issues with embedded hardware

Explore Contiki and Cooja Tutorials

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Enhance your understanding of Contiki and Cooja by exploring official tutorials to gain practical experience with these tools and strengthen your skills in designing and simulating IoT applications.

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Complete the Contiki Getting Started tutorial.
Work through the Cooja User Guide.
Follow example tutorials for specific sensor network applications.

Practice Contiki OS Tasks

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Enhance your understanding of Contiki OS and reinforce task management concepts by practicing with exercises.

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Set up a Contiki OS environment
Create a simple Contiki OS application
Implement task creation and management
Test and debug your tasks

Build a Simple Contiki Application

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Reinforce your understanding of Contiki OS and programming concepts by developing a custom Contiki application.

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Design your application's functionality
Choose appropriate Contiki modules and libraries
Implement your application logic
Test and debug your application

Solve programming challenges related to embedded operating systems

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Strengthen your programming skills and reinforce your understanding of embedded operating systems by solving coding challenges.

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Find online platforms or resources that offer programming challenges related to embedded operating systems
Select a challenge that matches your skill level
Implement a solution to the challenge
Test and debug your solution

Explore additional features and examples of Contiki and Cooja

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Expand your knowledge of Contiki and Cooja by exploring additional features and examples.

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Search for online tutorials and documentation on Contiki and Cooja
Follow the tutorials and try out the examples provided
Experiment with different settings and configurations

Participate in peer-reviewed programming assignments

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Improve your coding skills and gain valuable feedback from your peers.

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Join a study group or online forum
Collaborate with peers on programming assignments
Provide and receive feedback on each other's code

Create a Wireless Sensor Network Application

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Embark on a project to design and simulate your own wireless sensor network application using Contiki and Cooja to solidify your understanding of embedded operating systems and IoT applications.

Browse courses on IoT Applications

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Design the sensor network topology and communication protocol.
Implement the application logic in Contiki.
Simulate the network in Cooja.
Analyze the results and make improvements.

Design and simulate a wireless sensor network application

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Enhance your understanding of wireless sensor networks and IoT applications by creating and simulating your own design.

Browse courses on Wireless Sensor Networks

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Choose a specific application for your wireless sensor network
Design the architecture of your network
Use Cooja to simulate your network
Analyze the results of your simulation

Career center

Learners who complete Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Embedded Software Engineer

Embedded Software Engineers design, develop, and test embedded software systems for various industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, and industrial automation. This course provides a solid foundation in embedded hardware and operating systems, which are essential for success in this role. By understanding the fundamentals of embedded systems, you will be better equipped to design and develop reliable, efficient, and secure software solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Software Engineer

Firmware Engineer

Firmware Engineers are responsible for developing and maintaining the firmware that runs on embedded devices. This course provides a comprehensive overview of embedded hardware and operating systems, giving you the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this role. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Firmware Engineer

Hardware Engineer

Hardware Engineers design and develop the physical components of electronic devices. This course provides a solid foundation in embedded hardware, which is essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how they work, and how to design and implement them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Engineer

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and integrating complex systems. This course provides a broad overview of embedded hardware and operating systems, giving you the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this role. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Test Engineer

Test Engineers are responsible for testing and validating the functionality of electronic devices. This course provides a solid foundation in embedded hardware and operating systems, which is essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Test Engineer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for defining and managing the development of new products. This course may be useful for Product Managers who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for creating and maintaining technical documentation. This course may be useful for Technical Writers who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Sales Engineer

Sales Engineers are responsible for selling and supporting technical products and services. This course may be useful for Sales Engineers who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for planning and executing marketing campaigns. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning and executing projects. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing and improving business processes. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Developer

Software Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. This course may be useful for Software Developers who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course may be useful for Data Analysts who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for designing and developing websites. This course may be useful for Web Developers who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers are responsible for creating visual content. This course may be useful for Graphic Designers who want to gain a better understanding of the technical aspects of embedded systems. You will learn about the different types of embedded hardware, how to program them, and how to design and implement embedded operating systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer