- Understanding of the energetic issues of IoT devices and systems; - Ability in the analysis of the energy consumption sources; - Ability in the characterization of workloads for the dynamic analysis of IoT systems; - Skills in the design of energy-efficient solutions. - Ability in the quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of the design solutions; - Understanding of the fundamental features of non-fixed power supply sources such as energy storage devices or power generation sources. - Skills in the design of power supply systems (battery sizing, lifetime of a system).

The course requires the knowledge of C/C++ programming (data structures and algorithms). A basic knowledge of the Matlab/Simulink environment, as well as of calculus, statistics, digital electronics and digital design, and computer architecture can be useful. No specific skills in hardware design (e.g., VHDL/Verilog) is required.

1. Energy Management [2.5 CFU] o Technological and architectural trends and relative energetic implications o Characterization of the various sources of power consumption and their interaction with other metrics o Dynamic power management (DPM); concepts and implementations: shutdown, voltage/frequency scaling and their relative quantitative analysis; o Application of DPM to the various sub-components of an embedded system and their relative peculiarities (computational units, memories, peripherals); o Quality/energy tradeoff in IoT systems: approximate and error-resilient computations; solutions for non-computing components (e.g., display and other interfaces) o Other non-DPM based optimizations: information compression and coding; 2. Energy Generation and Storage: [1.5 CFU] o The various dimensions of energy beyond consumption: generation, storage, transfer. o Storage: types of energy storage devices (batteries, fuel cell, photovoltaic cells) and their relation with power management o Conversion: types of converters and their efficiency. o Generation: energy scavenging solutions, technical issues and their energetic implications o Simulation and design of the energy distribution sub-systems in an embedded device.

Students are supposed to bring their own paper for the written exam.

Lab classes will consist of the implementation of the techniques shown in class using software simulators, part in C++/SystemC, part in Matlab/Simulink. Three lab sessions (on multiple sessions) with as many deliverables are planned (2 CFU). Labs will be held during class time using the students’ computers.

There is no official textbook. Class handouts will be made available on the course webpage. Additional material such as papers, links to websites, software and manuals, will be also made available on the course webpage.

Lecture slides; Lecture notes; Exercises; Exercise with solutions ; Video lectures (previous years);

Exam: Written test; Group essay;

Expected learning outcomes: - Understanding of the topics covered in the course - Skills in the design of the power supply system of an embedded or mobile device based on its functionalities - Skills in the design of power management solutions and their quantitative evaluation Exam criteria and rules: The exam aims at assessing the skills and knowledge described above by means of a two-part evaluation: The first part consists of a closed-book written test on paper including both numerical exercises and open-answer questions. The time allowed for the test is 2 hours and the maximum score is 24 points. Scientific calculators are allowed. The second part consists of the evaluation of the reports on the lab exercises. Reports have to be delivered by the end of the winter exam session. Labs cannot be undertaken after the deadline. Each lab will get a different score depending on its quality. The total maximum score for the lab reports is 9 points. The sum of the test score and the lab evaluations will yield the final score (maximum 33 points corresponding to 30 cum laude). Student can also integrate the final evaluation up to a maximum of 6 points with an on-demand individual or group-of-two project proposed by the instructor. The project represents an additional element to assess the student's skills in solving problems that cover the entire context of energy-constrained embedded systems, unlike the more specific cases covered in the labs; moreover, projects allow the instructor to assess the autonomy of the student in building the knowledge base required to carry out the project itself. Students must have a valid score at the written test to ask for a project. There is no deadline for the delivery of the project; however, failure to deliver the result Ii.e. withdrawing from the project assignment) will incur in a penalty of -2 points in the final score.

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.