ECE 4723/6723

Embedded Systems

PERMANENT - Welcome to the Fall 2011 edition of ECE4723/6723 Embedded Systems. Most course information can be found by clicking on one of links in the menu on the left.
PERMANENT - Dissection submissions are due on 17 November 2011. Submission instructions have been provided in the assignment. You must follow them exactly! Late submissions will not be accepted.

November 8 - Fill in the team software metrics spreadsheet available in the "Handouts" directory. You must complete this form as a team. Email your completed form (only one spreadsheet per team) to Dr. Bruce before 5:00PM on 28 November 2011. The data contained in these forms will be used as the basis for the November 29th lecture.
November 8 - Each class member must read every dissection report on the class website. You must provide a ranking from 1-14 (1=best and 14=worst) for each dissection report. Provide your rankings in an alphabetical list that matches the dissection ordering given on the dissection website. Finally, nominate a dissection for "Best in Class" for the following classes: Aesthetics, Photo Journal, Product Design Analysis, Product Usage Analysis, BoM, and Overall Dissection. Email your nominations to Dr.Bruce before 5:00 PM on 28 November 2011.
You do NOT have to nominate a dissection for a category if you feel there are none deserving.
October 28 - Progres Exam #2 will be held on Nov. 15th. Exam will be closed book, notes, and neighbor. You may use a simple 5-function calculator. Team bonuses will apply.
Exam topics: All lectures, labs, and readings up to and including the one on 10/27 (the low-power system design lecture).
September 27 - Progress Exam #1 will be held on Oct. 4. Exam will be closed book, notes, and neighbor. Calculators will not be allowed. Team bonuses will apply.
Exam topics: All lectures, labs, and readings up to and including the one on 9/30.
September 26 - Visit Green Tea Press for Downey's Little Book of Semaphores 2/e.
August 25 - Lecture and labs will design and development teams throughout the semester. You are not a sole operator in this course. You are a part of a bigger team. Therefore, your actions will affect others in dramatic ways. If you are even thinking about dropping the class or some other drastic action, please let your team mates and the instructor know ASAP.

Team Mosquito (meets Tuesday 3:00-5:30 PM in Simrall 308)
Groves, Hosler, Pitts, Pollitz
Team Lightning (meets Tuesday 3:00-5:30 PM in Simrall 308)
Knight, Nicholas, Owens, Warren
Team Spitfire (meets Tuesday 6:30-9:00 PM in Simrall 308)
Christiansen, Humphreys, Pumphrey
Team Mustang (meets Tuesday 6:30-9:00 PM in Simrall 308)
Huguet, McCoy, Robinson
August 24 - The C language coding standards document is available in the "Handouts" section of this website. Download and study this document thoroughly. All C language development done in this course (homework, labs, and exams) must adhere to this coding standard.
All Python code developed in this course will adhere to the Python community coding standards available as PEP 8 at www.python.org.
(If you do any Java development in this course, a Java coding standard is also available in the "Handouts" section.)
August 19 - The ECE3724 Microprocessors class provides the basis for this course. You will likely find the resources from ECE3724 useful in getting started in the lab. Surf over to the ECE3724 wiki for more notes and details about the processor.
You will probably want to learn more about the support library and ESOS from their online documentation. These online docs are updated regularly. The ECE3724 code and ESOS can be downloaded from BitBucket using this link.
August 19 - Labs will start on August 30th. You will need to install any needed Microchip development software tools for the Microchip PIC24 family of MCUs. The ECE wiki is a great place to get started. The TA can provide more information, if needed. Parts will be sold in the lab when you need them. However, you may find the ECE3724 Microprocessors parts kits handy. Visit with the ECE3724 TAs or Dr. Jones to purchase.
August 19 - As you plan your time allocation for this course, be sure to consider the time required outside of class to do the dissection, do the laboratory, and to prepare for the exams. Review Learning in the University is Different than Learning in High School.