COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE TITLE SEMESTER YEAR

Digital Systems Winter 2005

OFFICIAL COURSE NUMBER IN-HOUSE COURSE NUMBER
243-314-92
N/A
COURSE HOURS 1 CREDITS
WEIGHTING
60 2-2-2 2
DISCIPLINE DEPARTMENT AND/OR PROGRAM

Electronics Electronics Engineering Technology/Computers and Telecommunications

COURSE PRE-REQUISITES

243-133, 243-143
COURSE CO-REQUISITES

No Co-Requisites required
COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will familiarize the student with the internal workings of a microprocessor, how to modify its
code, and debug an Embedded C language program.

OFFICE ROOM OFFICE TELEPHONE

TEACHER(S) NUMBER(S) EXTENSION(S) EMAIL(S)

Kevin Cardamore 209C 2093 kcardamore@cegep-heritage.qc.ca

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Lecture/lab-stage/homework hours per week
 COURSE OUTLINE

Digital Systems

243.11 Electronics Technology Program

[Computer Option]

Course Number: 243–314–92

Weekly Hour Requirements: 2-2-2

Term: Winter 2005

Professor: Kevin Cardamore

Course Description: This course is an introductory course in Microcontroller architecture

and microprocessor-based systems. A study is made of the Atmel AVR Microcontroller and
supporting hardware necessary to implement a functional microcomputer system. To assist in the
learning process, the course will cover Embedded C language programming using the Atmel
AVR MCU instruction set as well as the application software development tools such as
CodeVisionAVR C Compiler and IDE. Laboratories will be conducted on the Windows PC
equipped CodeVisionAVR C Compiler and IDE.

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Statement of Competence:
To program a microprocessor/Microcontroller-based system.

Elements of Competence: Specific Criteria of Performance:

A. To characterize a microcomputer.
B. To characterize a microprocessor.
C. To program a microprocessor using
Embedded C language.
Identify the elements and functions, which
characterize a digital system.
Explain the internal workings of a
microcomputer.
Identify the elements and functional
characteristics of microprocessors and
controllers.
Characterize microprocessors available.
Explain the functions of busses, memories, and
I/O.
Modify an existing program.
Debug an embedded C language program.
Program a microprocessor for a certain
application.

At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Familiarize oneself with the microprocessor or microcontroller aspects at both, the

theoretical as well as the implementation level by applying the elements of competences.

Methodology

Individual work
Starting from directions.
Using debugging tools
The course will cover Embedded C language programming using the AVR MCU instruction set
as well as the application software development tools such as the CodeVisionAVR C compiler
and IDE which will be conducted on the IBM PC compatible computers.

Course Contents
Embedded C Language Tutorial
Beginning concepts
Variables and constants
I/O operations
Operators and expressions
Control statements
Functions
Pointers and arrays
Structures and unions
Memory types
Real-Time methods

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 The CodeVisionAVR C Compiler and IDE
IDE operation
C compiler options
Compile and make projects
Program the target device
Codewizardavr Code Generator
Terminal Tool
The ATMEL AVR Studio Debugger

Attendance

Regular attendance in course activities is essential for active participation in student learning.
Students have an obligation to attend course activities and to arrive on time. Students who miss
classes on a regular basis are not considered to be participating actively and thus decrease the
possibility of academic success.

Professor Availability

The professor’s teaching schedule will be posted outside Rm. 209C. When a student requires
additional assistance, the student should approach the professor informally at the end of a class or
during a lab that the professor is attending, or between these scheduled times in his office or in
the electronics classroom area. If more time is required for assistance, a time and place to meet
will be arranged for the student.

Course Text and Materials

1. Richard Barnett, Larry O’Cull, Sarah Cox, (2003), Embedded C Programming and the Atmel
AVR, Thomson-Delmar Learning, ISBN: 1401812066
2. Atmel AVR data sheets.

Bibliography

• Handbook of Microcontrollers (1998)

ISBN: 0-07-913716-4
• The embedded PC’s ISA bus: Firmware, Gadgets and Practical Tricks (1997).
ISBN: 1-5739-8017-X

Evaluation

Academic Integrity: In accordance with Heritage College’s Policy #33, Article 3, “Heritage
College believes that the academic value of the diplomas and attestations it grants rests upon the
honesty of the learning relationship that exists between students and teachers. An act of academic
dishonesty (such as cheating, plagiarism, or the fabrication of records) undermining the integrity
of this relationship shall be considered a grievous offence.” (please refer to articles 3.1 and 3.2 for
offences and sanctions)

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Participation 15%
Assignments 10%
Tests 20%
Labs 25%
Final Exam 30%

• A mid-term grade will be provided in this course and serves as a progress report.
• A passing grade in this course is 60%.