Syllabus

Course Description:
Design-based introduction to embedded computer systems. Organization and composition of computer
processors, memory, and peripherals. Introduction to assembly-language and embedded C programming.
Design of hardware and software for embedded processor applications. Laboratory exercises and design
projects.

Instructor and Teaching Assistant Information on Moodle (http://www.bumoodle.com).

Optional Texts:
This course will not have any required texts, but several free electronic texts will be posted on Moodle.

Required Supplies:
This class will make use of our department’s instructional robotics platform and a small additional lab kit. The
additional kits will be distributed in lab, and will be yours to keep. If you do not own a instructional robotics
platform, you should contact the course instructors as soon as possible.

Course Topics
1. Data processors: data encoding and single-purpose processors
2. Multi-purpose devices: arithmetic logic units & multi-function registers
3. Multi-entry memories: register files, random access memories, and ready-only memories
4. Programmable processors: the program counter and control flow
5. Processor programming: assembly language and assemblers
6. Processor programming: C programming
7. Processor interfacing: I/O and peripherals
8. Processor applications: use of processors in embedded systems

Course Objectives:
After completing this course, each student should be able to:
1. Determine whether an embedded processor will be an effective solution to a particular design problem.
2. Describe each of the major components of a programmable processor, and their roles in execution of a
computer program.
3. Analyze a given sequence of machine-code instructions, and describe its execution in terms of the
hardware involved, and affect on registers and memory.
4. Convert a given sequence of assembly-language instructions to machine code.
5. Construct short sequences of assembly-language instructions which implement higher-level operations
such as expression evaluation and conditional execution.
6. Write, analyze, and debug programs at the processor level using the C programming language.
7. Describe the hardware and resources involved in the execution of a C program, including memory use
and execution time.
8. Design embedded systems capable of interfacing with the external hardware using microprocessors.
Policies
Grading
• In addition to earning an average course grade of 65 or better, you must satisfactorily complete each of
the labs and projects.
• With possible exceptions, three short assignments will be assigned per course topic: a participation-
based lecture activity, an ungraded online homework assignment, and a graded online quiz.
• You may work in lab groups of up to two people. Groups of three or more will not be permitted.
• No unexcused absences from class sessions. If you are sick, or otherwise unable to attend, it is your
responsibility to contact one the course instructors before the relevant class.
• Do not ask for extra credit; your course grade is designed to be an indication of how well you have
mastered the course material.

Rubric
Grade Components Grade Scale
Group Activities 10% ≥95 (A) ≥77 (C+)
Quizzes 20% ≥90 (A-) ≥73 (C)
Lab Assignments 25% ≥87 (B+) ≥70 (C-)
Design Projects (15% each) 45% ≥83 (B) ≥65 (D)
≥80 (B-)

Video Lectures
Course lectures will be presented via a series of short, single-topic videos, which are designed to
be compatible with all modern computers, smartphones, and tablets. Lectures will be accessible from
our course page on Moodle, and should be posted well in advance of their “watch-by” date.
In lieu of traditional lectures, you will be expected to watch anywhere from one to three short
lecture videos per week. These videos are designed to convey the core concepts covered in each topic-
concepts which you will use and strengthen via group and partnered activities in the lab.

Lab Activities & Assignments

The majority of our lab sessions will be used for two purposes: short group activities, which will
help to reinforce course concepts, and longer lab assignments, which will give you an opportunity to
design real-world systems. You should come to each lab session prepared and on time; you will be
graded on your group participation.
As the lab activities will require you to use knowledge from our lecture videos, it is important
that you watch each of the required lecture videos before coming to class. If you have them, it is
recommended that you also bring a laptop or tablet for use as a reference.
Classroom Policies
• Arrive on time.
• Silence all cell phones and other devices before class begins.
• If either of the instructors makes a mistake, point it out.
• No meals.

Acceptable Collaboration
• Discussion of ungraded assignments (homeworks and practice problems), projects, and laboratory
assignments is encouraged; though each student is responsible for doing their own work.
• You must work independently (i.e. alone) on all quizzes; and all work submitted must be your own. You
may not use the work of another current or past student as a reference.

Flu Policy
If you have a fever, body aches, and/or sore throat, please do not come to this class. If possible, remain at home
or in your room, and follow instructions from the Health Services (http://www2.binghamton.edu/health/). If
possible, notify the instructors via e-mail. Every effort will be made to accommodate make-up work. While you
will not be asked to validate your illness with a medical note, it is considered a violation of the academic
honesty code if you abuse this policy for non-medical reasons.

Academic Honesty
from the EECE Department’s Academic Honesty Code Enforcement Policy:
All students must adhere to the Student Academic Honesty Code of the University and the Watson
School . The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has adopted a standard policy to enforce
these codes for violations involving course work.
Category I violations result in a grade of 0 for the graded work plus a one letter course grade reduction.
A Report of Category I Academic Dishonesty form is filed with the Provost's Office; if a prior report is
already on file, the offense is automatically elevated to Category II. Category II violations result in at least a
failing grade for the course plus any additional penalties determined by the Watson Academic Integrity
Committee.

University Academic Honesty Code:

http://bulletin.binghamton.edu/program.asp?program_id=826
Watson School Academic Honesty Code:
http://www2.binghamton.edu/watson/advising/pdfs/honesty-policy.pdf
ECE Department Academic Honesty Code Enforcement Policy
http://www2.binghamton.edu/ece/grad/academic-honesty.html