Course Description
From digital cameras to smart speakers, the microcontroller enables internet-connected electronics that keep us connected with our data and the world. This course focuses on developing higher level hardware/software expertise for developing microcontroller-based systems that interface with sensors, displays, and other technologies that are ubiquitous in modern electronics.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students have additional project requirements that
challenge the student to go deeper into the course subject.
These requirements can include creating and executing a project
independently, regular progress reports about the project, and
the use of grading standards/rubrics that account for the
maturity, sophistication of design ability, and increased
engineering accountability.
Athena Title
Microcontroller Interfacing
Undergraduate Prerequisite
(CSCI 1730 and ELEE 4250/6250) or permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
At the completion of this course, the student should be able to: • Set up and use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that is suitable for the design and implementation of microcontroller-based systems • Understand the interfacing requirements (both hardware and software) for interfacing a microcontroller with communication bus (ex. SPI, I2C, UART) connected devices, including sensors, displays, storage, and communication technologies (ex., Bluetooth, wi-fi) • Use high-level programming tools (in a C-like programming language) to develop embedded code for microcontroller-based systems • Understand how to use an application library in the development of embedded code for microcontroller-based systems • Communicate project design details in written and oral communication formats that are common to engineering professionals
Topical Outline
The following is a tentative outline of the topics to be covered. The instructor will adjust this schedule based on the pace of the class. Week Topic a) Hello World: Getting the Hardware and Software to Work b) Hello MLA: Working with the Microchip Library of Applications c) Graphics Display: Interfacing with an LCD Display d) Touch Screen: Interfacing with an LCD Touch Screen e) Storage: Interfacing with a Flash Drive f) Sound: MP3 Files and How to Interface with the MP3 Codec g) Graphical Objects: Building a User Interface with the Touch Screen h) Sensing: Interfacing with Sensors and Dealing with Sensor Signals i) USB: Interfacing to the USB Port and Other Communication Protocols