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Sam Siewert

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5315, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

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This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5315, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

Course Description: In this course, students will design and build a microprocessor-based embedded system application using a real-time operating system or RT POSIX extensions with Embedded Linux. The course focus is on the process as well as fundamentals of integrating microprocessor-based embedded system elements for digital command and control of typical embedded hardware systems.

Lab Description: The course requires the student to install embedded Linux on the Raspberry Pi ARM A-Series System-on-Chip processor. This course must be completed using a Raspberry Pi as an embedded system (headless) not a PC running Linux. You will however find Linux as a useful host development system or Windows with an SSH terminal access tool such as Putty, MobaXterm, or equivalent.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Exploration of RT Challenges and Concepts
This module gives an introduction to real-time theory , challenges faced in designing real-time systems and scheduling policies implemented while comparing the Linux POSIX real-time threads to RTOS and MFE systems.
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Quality of Service Theory from Best Effort to Hard Real-Time
This module describes the utility curves used for analysis of real-time systems along with Rate Monotonic Scheduling Policy and its Least Upper Bound Condition. It also describes the absolute time and date standards which are critical parameters for real-time services.
Scheduling and Concept of Real-Time Services
This module covers the methods of sequencing of service requests along with software scheduling and real-time scheduling policies.
Overview of Real-time Hardware Architectures and Software Stacks
This module discusses the use of multi core microprocessors for real-time applications and gives an overview of RTOS Options (Open and Proprietary) and OS with POSIX Real-Time Extensions for real-time systems.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a practical foundation for building and integrating embedded systems using real-time operating systems
Covers industry-standard concepts, such as scheduling theory, real-time POSIX extensions, and embedded Linux
Teaches hands-on skills through a project-based approach using the Raspberry Pi embedded system
Provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of embedded system design and implementation
Taught by instructors with extensive industry experience in embedded systems and real-time operating systems
Requires the use of a Raspberry Pi and specific software tools, which may not be easily accessible to some learners

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Reviews summary

Real-time embedded systems explained

According to students, this course provides learners with practical knowledge and skills in real-time embedded systems. Many engaging assignments help learners put the material into practice while also providing real-world examples. Reviewers agree that the instructor is knowledgeable and the course is generally well received. While many appreciate the course, others criticize aspects like organization, unclear instructions, and peer-graded assignments. Additionally, some learners believe that prior knowledge of POSIX is necessary but not well communicated.
Real-world examples and engaging assignments
"Excellent course with many real-world examples you can start using right off the bat."
"Lecture videos and excises are OK..."
"Using POSIX extension in Linux, AMP emulation with affinity with the easy to get going Raspberry Pi."
Course assumes prior knowledge of POSIX
"It needs a good knowledge of POSIX in the beginning. That was not stated in the course description."
Peer grading can be problematic
"Had real issues with Peer review policy. There should be a back up always, if peer reviews are getting delayed"
"I​ dont like the peer graded assignment modality"
Disorganized material and broken links
"The course is abandonware. There are broken links, I report them, nothing happens."
"Course material is disorganized. There are a lot of broken links."
"order of the lectures is rather messy: some topics are taken as being discussed but which only follow much later in the course."
"there is a lot of repetition in the lectures: some concepts are explained in code reviews and twice within the lectures."
Assignments often lack clarity
"Assignment descriptions could be clearer"
"The assignment descriptions are very unclear and unorganized."
"Instructions are not clear."
"It is not easy to understand what they ask for in assignments."

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 Real-Time Embedded Systems Concepts and Practices with these activities:
Review Embedded System Concepts
Review the key terms and principles that form the foundation of embedded system design, such as real-time theory and scheduling policies.
Show steps
  • Read the provided materials on embedded systems
  • Go over your notes from previous courses
  • Review online resources and tutorials
Participate in Discussions with Classmates
Engage with fellow classmates to discuss course material, ask questions, and enhance your understanding through peer learning.
Show steps
  • Join online forums or discussion groups
  • Participate in discussions, sharing insights and asking questions
  • Read and respond to others' posts
Follow Tutorials on Setting Up Embedded Linux
Develop a deeper understanding of the practical implementation of embedded Linux on a Raspberry Pi, solidifying your grasp of the course concepts.
Browse courses on Embedded Linux
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on setting up Embedded Linux on Raspberry Pi
  • Follow the instructions to set up Embedded Linux
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Solve Problems on Real-Time System Design
Test and refine your understanding of real-time system design principles by solving problems and applying the concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on Scheduling
Show steps
  • Find practice problems and exercises
  • Work through the problems, applying scheduling algorithms and concepts
  • Review solutions and identify areas for improvement
Build a Simple Embedded System Application
Put your knowledge into practice by designing and developing a functional embedded system application, solidifying your understanding of the course material.
Browse courses on Linux
Show steps
  • Plan and design the embedded system application
  • Implement the application using Embedded Linux
  • Test and debug the application
Contribute to Open-Source Embedded System Projects
Gain practical experience by contributing to real-world embedded system projects, expanding your knowledge and making a valuable contribution to the community.
Browse courses on Open-Source Software
Show steps
  • Identify open-source embedded system projects
  • Review the project documentation and code
  • Identify areas where you can contribute
  • Make your contributions and collaborate with the project team

Career center

Learners who complete Real-Time Embedded Systems Concepts and Practices will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Real-Time Systems Engineer
Real-Time Systems Engineers design and develop systems that must respond to events within a specific time frame. This course provides a solid foundation in real-time systems concepts and practices, including scheduling algorithms, resource management, and performance analysis, which are essential for success in this role.
Embedded Software Engineer
Embedded Software Engineers design, develop, and test software for embedded systems, which are computer systems designed to perform a specific function within a larger system. The knowledge and skills gained in this course can be directly applied to this role, as embedded systems often require real-time capabilities and must meet strict performance and reliability requirements.
Mechatronics Engineer
Mechatronics Engineers design and develop systems that combine mechanical and electrical engineering. This course can provide valuable knowledge and skills for this role, as mechatronic systems often require real-time capabilities and must meet strict performance and reliability requirements.
Control Systems Engineer
Control Systems Engineers design and develop systems that control physical systems. This course can provide valuable knowledge and skills for this role, as control systems often require real-time capabilities and must meet strict performance and reliability requirements.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, develop, and test robots. This course can provide valuable knowledge and skills for this role, as robots often require real-time capabilities and must meet strict performance and reliability requirements.
Firmware Engineer
Firmware Engineers develop and maintain the software that controls embedded systems. This course can provide valuable knowledge and skills for this role, as firmware often needs to meet real-time requirements and must be highly reliable and efficient.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts design and implement computer systems that meet the needs of an organization. This course can provide valuable knowledge and skills for this role, as systems analysts often need to work with embedded systems and must understand real-time requirements.
Quality Assurance Engineer
Quality Assurance Engineers ensure that products meet quality standards. This course can provide valuable knowledge and skills for this role, as embedded systems often require strict quality control to ensure reliability and performance.
Test Engineer
Test Engineers design and execute tests to ensure that products meet specifications. This course can provide valuable knowledge and skills for this role, as embedded systems often require rigorous testing to ensure reliability and performance.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineers design and develop computer hardware systems. This course can provide a valuable foundation for this role, as embedded systems often require specialized hardware and must meet strict performance and reliability requirements.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation for technical products. This course may be useful for this role, as embedded systems often require detailed documentation.
Product Manager
Product Managers define and manage products. This course may be useful for this role, as embedded systems are often complex products that require careful planning and management.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns. This course may be useful for this role, as embedded systems are often marketed to technical audiences.
Sales Engineer
Sales Engineers sell technical products. This course may be useful for this role, as embedded systems are often complex products that require specialized knowledge to sell.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan and execute projects. This course may be useful for this role, as embedded systems projects often require careful planning and execution.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Real-Time Embedded Systems Concepts and Practices.
Provides a comprehensive overview of embedded systems, including relevant concepts and practices, making it valuable as a background or reference resource.
Explores the fundamental concepts, principles, and applications of real-time systems, offering a solid theoretical foundation for the course.
Presents a comprehensive introduction to embedded systems, focusing on the interplay between hardware and software and providing a solid foundation for understanding real-time systems.
Offers a comprehensive treatment of embedded systems design, covering both hardware and software aspects, providing a broader perspective.
Provides a unified approach to embedded system design, offering a holistic understanding of both hardware and software components.
Offers a detailed reference on the ARM Cortex-M processors, which are commonly used in embedded systems, providing additional technical depth.
Offers a comprehensive overview of embedded systems design, providing a foundation for the course's focus on embedded systems concepts and practices.
Provides a theoretical foundation for understanding real-time systems, including programming languages and scheduling theory, offering additional depth to the course.

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