Prerequisite/Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Purpose
An embedded system is defined as an electronic system which is based on a computer, but the system is not in itself a computer, e.g., like a PC. The purpose of this project module is to specify, design, simulate, implement, test and document (part of) an embedded real-time signal processing system. In this context, the algorithm(s) which are to perform the signal processing have to be developed, simulated/evaluated (preferably using C or Matlab) and optimized. The overall design parameters may include, but are not limited to execution time, code size, numerical robustness, and eventually energy consumption. Primarily, the project will focus on the signal processing theories and algorithms, as well as the development of optimal source- and object codes using commercially available development boards/tools, thus excluding the design and implementation of user-specific hardware.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Must have knowledge about the building blocks used in a generic embedded real-time digital signal processing system, their mutual interaction and interfaces, as well as relevant performance parameters.
• Must have knowledge about theories and methods used to design numerically robust and resource optimal signal processing algorithms suitable for being executed in real-time on a given hardware.

Skills

• Must be able to analyse a technical problem which naturally finds its solution in terms of real-time digital signal processing. Secondly, to formulate a set of specifications for the algorithms to be developed, and possibly also for the hardware/software platform to be used.
• Must be able to apply various methods to design, simulate, and evaluate digital signal processing algorithms according to the specifications.
• Must be able to analyse digital signal processing algorithms from a computational complexity, structural, and data flow oriented point of view in order to specify architectural requirements for a software programmable target platform.
• Must be able to apply design tools, such as C compilers (possibly using in-line assembly language), in order to develop and optimize real-time executable code for digital signal processing algorithms.
• Must be able to evaluate 1) an overall system solution, and 2) the design methods applied to derive the solution. This must be done in terms of relevant metrics such as execution time, memory usage and energy consumption. Secondly, from a micro-computer architectural point of view, the students must be able to evaluate the match between algorithms and architectures.
• Must be able to communicate the above mentioned knowledge and skills (using the terminology of the domain), both orally and in a written report.

Competences

• Must be able to identify, design, implement, and evaluate a viable solution for an embedded real-time signal processing system.
• Must be able to plan, structure, and conduct a project within the scientific subject of this project module.

Type of instruction

Project work with supervision.

Extent and expected workload

Since it is a 20 ECTS project module, the work load is expected to be 600 hours for the student

Exam

Exams

Additional information

Elective project module on 6th Semester Electronics and Computer Engineering (BSc).