Description

The objectives of this course are that students learn the general aspects of the architecture of microprocessors, microcontrollers and configurable devices, as well as the adequate design methods and tools, while they acquire the necessary skills to design systems based on these devices.

Instructors

Álvarez Ruiz de Ojeda, Luís Jacobo

Poza González, Francisco

Contents

THEORY LESSONS

1. LESSON 1 THEORY. CORRECT DESIGN METHODS. SYNCHRONOUS DESIGN
   • Digital systems design techniques
   • Recommendations
   • Design rules for synchronous sequential systems
2. LESSON 2 THEORY. DESIGN METHODS OF COMPLEX SYNCHRONOUS DIGITAL SYSTEMS
   • Study of a systematic design method for this type of systems
3. LESSON 3 THEORY. ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIGITAL CIRCUITS
   • Types of digital circuits
   • Main characteristics
   • System on Chip (SoC): types and characteristics
4. LESSON 4 THEORY. FPGAs. APPLICATIONS. ARCHITECTURE OF THE FAMILY USED
   • General architecture of FPGAs
   • Characteristics
   • Analysis of the FPGA family used in the subject
5. LESSON 5 THEORY. INTERNAL ARCHITECTURE OF THE MICROPROCESSOR USED IN THE SUBJECT
   • Analysis of the internal architecture
   • Instruction set
6. LESSON 6 THEORY. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE MICROPROCESSOR USED IN THE SUBJECT
   • Program syntax
   • Compilation directives
7. LESSON 7 THEORY. EXTERNAL ARCHITECTURE OF THE MICROPROCESSOR USED IN THE SUBJECT
   • External architecture of the microprocessor
   • Signals used for I/O
   • Connection of I/O peripherals
   • Interrupts
8. LESSON 8 THEORY. DESIGN OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS. HARDWARE / SOFTWARE CODESIGN
   • Hardware/software codesign flow
   • Partitioning

LABORATORY LESSONS

9. LESSON 1 LABORATORY. DESIGN OF A BASIC DIGITAL SYSTEM IN THE CORRECT FORM
   • Design of a digital system using VHDL for FPGA implementation
   • Application of correct design recommendations
10. LESSON 2 LABORATORY. DESIGN OF A COMPLEX SYNCHRONOUS DIGITAL SYSTEM

• Design using VHDL for FPGA implementation
• Application of the systematic design method studied in theory

11. LESSON 3 LABORATORY. DESIGN OF A BASIC EMBEDDED SYSTEM BASED ON AN FPGA

• Circuit design and program development
• Implementation of a basic embedded system using the studied microprocessor

12. LESSON 4 LABORATORY. DESIGN OF A MEDIUM COMPLEXITY EMBEDDED SYSTEM

• Circuit design and program development
• Integration of the basic system with additional circuits and software developed by the student

Learning Outcomes

BASIC COMPETENCES

1. B3 – CG3
   • Knowledge of basic subjects and technologies
   • Ability to learn new methods and technologies
   • Versatility to adapt to new situations
2. B4 – CG4
   • Ability to solve problems with initiative
   • Capacity to make creative decisions
   • Skills to communicate and transmit knowledge
   • Understanding of ethical and professional responsibility in Technical Telecommunication Engineering
3. B13 – CG13
   • Ability to use software tools that support problem solving in engineering

SPECIFIC COMPETENCES

4. C7 – CE7/T2
   • Ability to use communication and software applications (office tools, databases, advanced calculus, project management, visualization, etc.)
   • Support for development and operation of electronics and telecommunication networks, services, and applications
5. C8 – CE8/T3
   • Ability to use software tools for bibliographic research and information related to electronics and telecommunications
6. C14 – CE14/T9
   • Ability to analyze and design combinational and sequential circuits
   • Knowledge of synchronous and asynchronous systems
   • Use of integrated circuits and microprocessors
7. C15 – CE15/T10
   • Knowledge and application of hardware description languages

TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES

8. D2 – CT2
   • Understanding engineering within a framework of sustainable development
9. D3 – CT3
   • Awareness of the need for lifelong learning and continuous quality improvement
   • Flexible, open, and ethical attitude toward different opinions and situations
   • Commitment to non-discrimination (sex, race, religion, etc.)
   • Respect for fundamental rights and accessibility

Recommended Readings and Tools

The students will have previously followed the subject Digital Electronics. It gives the necessary knowledge to understand the topics of this course. Besides, it is recommended that the students have previously followed the subject Informatics: Computer Architecture. It gives the necessary knowledge to understand some topics of this course.

Planned Activities

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

1. Introductory Activities
   • Introduction to key topics (theoretical and practical)
   • Competence developed: B3
2. Lecturing
   • Conventional lectures
   • Competence developed: B3
3. Problem Solving
   • Exercises solved by both teacher and students
   • Competences developed: B3, B4, C8, C14, C15

MENTORED WORK (PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES)

4. Mentored Work – Basic Digital System Design
   • Design of a digital system applying correct design recommendations
   • Competences developed: B3, B4, B13, C7, C8, C14, C15, D2, D3
5. Mentored Work – Complex Digital System Design
   • Design of a complex digital system using the systematic design method studied in theory
   • Competences developed: B3, B4, B13, C7, C8, C14, C15, D2, D3
6. Mentored Work – Basic Embedded System Design
   • Design of circuits and programs to implement a basic embedded system using the studied microprocessor
   • Competences developed: B3, B4, B13, C7, C8, C14, C15, D2, D3
7. Mentored Work – Medium Complexity Embedded System Design
   • Design of circuits and programs to implement a medium complexity embedded system using the studied microprocessor
   • Competences developed: B3, B4, B13, C7, C8, C14, C15, D2, D3

Assessment Methods and Criteria

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

1. Mentored Work – Basic Digital System Design
   • Description: Practical work on designing a digital system applying correct design recommendations
   • Weight: 15%
   • Competences: B3, B4, B13, C7, C8, C14, C15, D2, D3
2. Mentored Work – Complex Digital System Design
   • Description: Practical work on designing a complex digital system using the systematic design method
   • Weight: 15%
   • Competences: B3, B4, B13, C7, C8, C14, C15, D2, D3
3. Mentored Work – Basic Embedded System
   • Description: Design of circuits and programs to implement a basic embedded system
   • Weight: 12%
   • Competences: B3, B4, B13, C7, C8, C14, C15, D2, D3
4. Mentored Work – Medium Complexity Embedded System
   • Description: Design of circuits and programs for a medium-complexity embedded system
   • Weight: 18%
   • Competences: B3, B4, B13, C7, C8, C14, C15, D2, D3
5. Essay Questions Exam
   • Description:
     • Multiple-choice questions on theoretical topics
     • Design problems involving circuits and programs with explanation
   • Weight: 40%
   • Competences: B3, B4, C14, C15

GENERAL EVALUATION RULES

6. Grading System
   • Final mark ranges from 0 to 10
7. Assessment Types
   • Continuous assessment (default)
   • Global assessment (must be requested within one month)
8. Submission Rules
   • All tasks must be submitted on time
   • Late submissions are not assessed
9. Academic Integrity
   • Plagiarism results in fail (0) and formal reporting
10. Weighting of Components

• Theory: 40%
• Laboratory: 60%

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

11. Attendance Requirements

• Laboratory attendance is compulsory
• Maximum of 1 unexcused absence

12. Work Modality

• Individual or pairs depending on group size

13. Conditions to Maintain Continuous Assessment

• Attend sessions
• Submit all tasks on time
• Sit the theoretical exam
• No rescheduling allowed

14. Failure to Meet Conditions

• Loss of continuous assessment rights
• Automatic fail

15. Laboratory Mark (LM)

• LM = 0.25·LAP1 + 0.25·LAP2 + 0.20·LAP3 + 0.30·LAP4

16. Final Mark (FM)

• If minimums met:
  • FM = 0.40·TM + 0.60·LM
• If not:
  • FM = min(4.9, weighted average)

17. Passing Criteria

• TM ≥ 4
• LM ≥ 4
• FM ≥ 5

18. Restrictions

• No improvement via global assessment after passing
• Marks preserved until extraordinary exam (same academic year)

GLOBAL ASSESSMENT & END-OF-PROGRAM EXAM

19. Structure

• Theoretical exam + Laboratory exam (individual)

20. Access to Laboratory Exam

• Must be requested in advance

21. Final Mark (FM)

• If both passed: FM = 0.40·TE + 0.60·LE
• If not: FM = min(4.9, weighted average)

22. Passing Criteria

• TE ≥ 4
• LE ≥ 4
• FM ≥ 5

THEORETICAL EXAM

23. Content

• Test questions
• Practical problems

24. Conditions

• Must answer all questions correctly for maximum mark
• Scheduled by faculty

LABORATORY EXAM

25. Content

• VHDL circuit design
• Microprocessor programming
• Embedded system components

26. Requirements

• Perform simulations and tests
• Demonstrate system operation if requested
• Deliver required files

27. Assessment Criteria

• Correct operation
• Application of theoretical concepts
• Completeness of all sections

28. Additional Considerations

• Extra functionality is positively valued
• Non-working sections are not assessed