The course of “Embedded System” section of the Master in Computer Engineering, positioned at the 1st term of the 2nd year.
This course describes and analyzes the main architectural and technological solutions for Embedded Systems automated design, with particular emphasis on multicore systems, hardware-software co-simulations platforms with reference to specific design metrics like temperature, process variability and aging.
The Course of "Embedded System" section of the Master in Computer Engineering, positioned at the 1st term of the 2nd year. This course describes and analyzes the main classical and emerging architectural and technological solutions
for Embedded Systems automated design, with particular emphasis on multicore systems, heterogeneous
architectures, emergent technologies, and hardware-software co-simulations platforms. During the course
we will introduce and discuss specific design metrics like temperature, process variability, and aging that
are considered during the engineering process of embedded solutions designed to be applicable in the IoT
and IoT applications.
- Knowledge of the main non-idealities of digital systems caused by technology scaling;
- Ability in the analysis of the non-idealities sources and skills in the design of solutions for compensating such non-idealities;
- Ability in the quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of the design solutions;
- Knowledge of the main issues related to temperature, aging and process variation in modern embedded systems;
- Skills in the design of an embedded system;
- Knowledge of virtual platforms for the hardware-software co-simulation of an embedded system and the evaluation of the controlling software.
- Knowledge of the main non-idealities of digital systems caused by technology scaling;
- Ability in the analysis of the non-idealities sources and skills in the design of solutions for compensating such non-idealities;
- Ability in the quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of the design solutions;
- Knowledge of the main issues related to temperature, aging, and process variation in modern embedded systems;
- Skills in the design of an embedded system contextualized in the design process of an IoT application;
- Knowledge of virtual platforms for the hardware-software co-simulation of an embedded system and the evaluation
of the controlling software.
- Focus on new emerging technologies and computational paradigms well suited for embedded application and edge
computing
The course requires the knowledge of C programming (data structures and algorithms), as well as basic knowledge of calculus, statistics, digital electronics and digital design, computer architecture and operating systems.
The course requires the knowledge of C programming (data structures and algorithms), as well as basic knowledge
of calculus, statistics, digital electronics, and digital design, computer architecture, and operating systems.
- Introduction to Embedded Systems [2h]
- Architectural templates (single and multicore platforms) [4h]
- Embedded Systems implementation: Single core and multicore [2h]
- Overview of ARM and PowerPC processors: Application domains [2h]
- Embedded Buses: Parallel and Serial Busses. Most common Standards (AMBA, CoreConnect, STBus, I2C, SPI) [4h]
- Embedded Memories and Emerging Technologies Memories [4h]
- Overview of Real-Time Systems and RTOS [2h]
- Multicore Architectures [4h]
- Sensors and actuators [2h]
- Wireless Sensor Networks [6h]
- Design metrics & Optimization Techniques [8h]
o Temperature
o Process variability
o Aging and reliability
o Energy consumption
The course consists of frontal lectures and laboratories.
The course includes:
- Introduction to Embedded Systems [2h]
- Architectural templates (single and multicore platforms) [4h]
- Embedded Systems implementation: Single core and multicore [4h]
- ARM and PowerPC processors: Application domains [4h]
- Embedded Buses: Parallel and Serial Busses. Most common Standards (AMBA, CoreConnect, STBus, I2C, SPI) [4h]
- Embedded Memories and Emerging Technologies Memories [2h]
- Multicore Architectures [4h]
- Sensors and actuators [2h]
- Wireless Sensor Networks [6h]
- Design metrics & Optimization Techniques [8h]
o Temperature
o Process variability
o Aging and reliability
o Energy consumption
- Updated hardware-software co-simulation framework [3h]
- Emerging technologies and computational paradigms edge computing applications [6h]
The “laboratories” include project-related activities on several case studies from the state-of-the-art works on the embedded system domain, that will be conducted in groups with the continuous
support of the teachers.
In addition to regular lectures, several lab classes will be carried out. Such labs will consist of exercises and projects, developed on "evaluation board" and simulation platforms, concerning the subjects discussed in the course.
In addition to regular lectures, several lab sessions will be carried out. Such labs will consist of exercises and projects, developed on "evaluation board" and simulation platforms, concerning the subjects discussed in the course.
There is no official textbook. Class handouts and additional material (papers, links to websites, software and manuals) will be made available on the course webpage.
There is no official textbook. Class handouts and additional material (papers, links to websites, software, and manuals) will be made available on the course webpage. Scientific papers and documentation will be provided during the course.
Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato progettuale in gruppo;
Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Group project;
...
The exam consists of two parts: the first is a written test including both numerical exercises and open-answer questions. The time allowed for the test is 2 hours, and the maximum achievable score is 24 points. The second part consists in the execution of projects / reports on the topics covered in the laboratory exercises. The maximum achievable score is 8 points. The final grade is the sum of the scores obtained in the two parts.
Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.
Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Group project;
The students will be called to select and read a technical paper (provided
during the course) related to the topics covered in the course and to make a group (2-3 people) design project developed on a simulation platform and eventually on an "evaluation board".
The exam consists of an individual presentation of the selected technical paper as well as a group presentation of the developed project.
Each group will be asked to submit the developed code as well as a report (6-10 pages in double-column format)
with a research paper-like description of their work, including challenges and motivations, state of the art,
the proposed solution, and discussion of the obtained results. The project will be then presented and discussed by all the group’s components through an oral session (either in person or via web conferencing). After the ppt
group presentation (about 15 minutes), each group member will be asked questions about the project and her/his
individual contribution to the group activity, as well as general questions on the topics covered by the course.
The final grade of each student will consist of:
- evaluation of the group project (same for all the group members, 70%). This evaluation takes into
account: the complexity of the addressed problem; the originality and richness of the proposed solution; the
methodological and technical correctness of the solution; the completeness and quality of the report; the
completeness and quality of the oral presentation
- evaluation of the individual oral discussion (30%). This evaluation takes into account: the quality
of the individual presentation; the individual effort and contribution to the group activity; the correctness
of the answers to theoretical and technical questions; the individual communication skills.
In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.
Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato progettuale in gruppo;
In case of online exam, the test consists of an oral presentation.
Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Group project;
In the case of an on-line exam, the oral presentation and the project presentation will be performed on-line
Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato progettuale in gruppo;
The onsite exam consists of a written test as specified above.