Academic Year 2018/19 S2

Course Coordinator Gan Woon Seng

Course Code EE4455/IM4455
Course Title Embedded Systems
Pre-requisites EE3002/IM2002 Microprocessors
No of AUs 3
Contact Hours Lectures: 26 hours; Tutorials: 12 hours
Proposal Date 1 Dec 2018

Course Aims
This course aims to give students a comprehensive knowledge and insightfui demonstrations in the field
of embedded systems. Students will be introduced to several embedded system case studies and
numerical computations to estimate the implementation cost of embedded systems. Several portable
embedded media applications such as digital music player, digital camera and digital video streaming
will be showcased to tie the basic concepts together into coherent entities. Students will also learn to
program an embedded platform so that they can apply to their theoretical knowledge to practical
implementation.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

By the end of this course, student should be able to:
1) describe the fundamental principals in designing an embedded system;
2) describe the practical implementations and limitations of embedded system design;
3) identify and describe the hardware and software components as well as their development cycle
4) discuss the deployment of embedded processors and supporting device in real-word
applications
5) interpret application specifications and make practical recommendations on resource selection
for embedded systems.
6) design, implement and demonstrate a real-time embedded system

Course Content
Embedded System Design.
Embedded System Architecture.
Processor selection for optimal cost and system performance.
Hardware of Embedded Systems
Software of Embedded Systems
Real-Time Embedded Systems
Embedded Media Processing Components Design

Course Outline

S/N Topic Lecture Tutorial

1
 Hours Hours
1 Embedded System Design 2 1
Introduction of Embedded System, Design techniques and
methodologies

2 Embedded System Architecture 2 1

Introduction to Embedded Hardware and Software System Architecture

3 Processor selection for optimal cost and system performance 2 1

Latest embedded processors and its performance benchmarks.
Selection of processors based on MIPS, memory, peripherals.

4 Hardware of Embedded Systems 4 2

Hardware components, including processors, memory, cache, buses,
and I/O.

5 Software of Embedded Systems 4 3

System software, including device drivers and operating systems.
Integrated development environment and latest rapid prototyping
platform.
6 Real-Time Embedded Systems 6 2
Concepts on real-time embedded system programming and real-time
operating systems (RTOS). Power consumption and management issues.

7 Embedded Media Processing Components Design 6 2

Case studies of real-world embedded designs: Embedded audio signal
processing, embedded image processing, and embedded video
processing.

Total hours 26 12

Assessment (includes both continuous and summative assessment)

Related
Course
Programme LO or Team/ Assessment
Component LO Weighting
Graduate Individual rubrics
Tested
Attributes
EAB SLO* (a), (b),
1. Final examination 1,2,3,4,5 60% Individual
(c), (d)
2. Continuous
EAB SLO* (a), (b),
Assessment 1 (CA1): 1,2,3,5 10% Individual
(c)
Quiz (10%)
1) Continuous
Assessment 2 (CA2): 4,5 EAB SLO* (d), (e) 10% Individual
hands-on demo (10%)
2) Continuous
4,5,6 EAB SLO* (d), (e) 20% Individual
Assessment 3 (CA3):

2
 hands-on project (20%)

Total 100%

Mapping of Course SLOs to EAB Graduate Attributes

Course Student EAB’s 12 Graduate Attributes* (indicate full/partial/weak

Learning Cat moon/blank for the whole course for SLO a-l)
Outcomes (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l)
EE4455/IM4455
PE for EEE;
Embedded
Core for IEM ● ◐ ● ◐ ◐ ○
Systems

1. describe the fundamental principals in designing

EAB SLO* (a), (d)
an embedded system

2. describe the practical implementations and

EAB SLO* (a), (d)
limitations of embedded system design

3. understand the hardware and software

EAB SLO* (a), (d)
components as well as their development cycle
4. understand the deployment of embedded
processors and supporting devices in real-world
EAB SLO* (a), (b), (c), (d), (e)
applications
5. interpret application specifications and make
practical recommendations on resource selection EAB SLO* (a), (b), (c), (d)
for embedded systems

Legend:  Fully consistent (contributes to more than 75% of Student Learning Outcomes)
◐ Partially consistent (contributes to about 50% of Student Learning Outcomes)
 Weakly consistent (contributes to about 25% of Student Learning Outcomes)
Blank Not related to Student Learning Outcomes

* Please refer to Appendix 3 on the EAB accreditation SLOs

Formative feedback
Examination results;
Markers’ report on overall examination performance;
Quizzes scores and answers through NTULearn;
Assignment scores and answers through NTULearn.

3
Learning and Teaching approach

How does this approach support students in achieving the learning

Approach
outcomes?

LECTURE course materials covering all topics

TUTORIAL Classroom discussions on tutorial questions and related topics

LABORATORY(if any) Hands-on exercises on related topics

Reading and References

Textbooks
1. Marilyn Wolf, Computers as Components: Principles of Embedded Computing System Design,
4th Edition, Morgan Kaufmann, 2012. (QA76.9.S88W855 2017)
2. Gan Woon-Seng and Kuo Sen M, Embedded Signal Processing with the Micro Signal
Architecture, Wiley- Interscience, 2007. (TK5102.9.G195)

References
1. Katz David J and Gentile Rick, Embedded Media Processing, Elsevier/Newnes, 2006.
(TK5102.9.K19)
2. Noergaard Tammy, Embedded Systems Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide for Engineers and
Programmers, 2nd Edition, Elsevier/Newnes, 2013. (TK7895.E42N769 2013)
3. Wolf Wayne Hendrix, Computers as Components: Principles of Embedded Computing System
Design, 4th Edition, Morgan Kaufmann, 2012. (QA76.9.S88W855 2017)
4. Kuo Sen M and Gan Woon-Seng, Digital Signal Processors: Architectures, Implementations and
Applications, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. (TK5102.9.K96)
5. High Performance EMbedded Computing: 2nd Ed by Marilyn Wolf, Publisher: Morgan Kaufman,
2014. (TK7895.E42.W85)

Course Policies and Student Responsibilities

General: Students are expected to complete all online activities and take all scheduled assignments and
tests by due dates. Students are expected to take responsibility to follow up with course notes,
assignments and course related announcements. Students are expected to participate in all tutorial
discussions and activities.
Continuous assessments and mini-project: You are required to attend all continuous assessments and
work on the independent mini-project.
Absenteeism: Continuous assessments and laboratories make up a significant portion of your course
grade. Absence from continuous assessments and laboratories without officially approved leave will
result in no marks and affect your overall course grade.

Academic Integrity
Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of your work as a student
relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and to the NTU Honour Code, a set of values

4
shared by the whole university community. Truth, Trust and Justice are at the core of NTU’s shared
values.

As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding and applying the
principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not knowing what is involved in
maintaining academic integrity does not excuse academic dishonesty. You need to actively equip
yourself with strategies to avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic fraud,
collusion and cheating. If you are uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you should go to
the academic integrity website for more information. Consult your instructor(s) if you need any
clarification about the requirements of academic integrity in the course.

Course Instructors

Instructor Office Location Phone Email

Gan Woon Seng S2-B2b-68 6790 4538 ewsgan@ntu.edu.sg

Planned Weekly Schedule

Week Topic Course LO Readings/ Activities

Embedded System Design. Embedded
1 1,2
System Architecture.
Processor selection for optimal cost and
2 1,2 Tutorial 1
system performance.
Hardware of Embedded Systems:
3 3,5 Tutorial 2
Processors
Hardware of Embedded Systems: Tutorial 3 and assignment of
4 3,5
Processors hands-on project (CA3)
5 Hardware of Embedded Systems: Memory 3,5 Tutorial 4
Hardware of Embedded Systems: Cache
6 3,5 Tutorial 5
and DMA
Software of Embedded Systems:
7 3,5 Tutorial 6
Programminh Language
Software of Embedded Systems:
8 3,5 Tutorial 7 and CA2(demo)
Optimization
Real-Time Embedded Systems: Concept of
9 4,5,6 Tutorial 8
real-time embedded system
Real-Time Embedded Systems: Scheudling
10 4,5,6 Tutorial 9 and CA1 (quiz)
and Resource Management
Real-Time Embedded Systems: Power
11 4,5,6 Tutorial 10
Consumption
Case studies of real-world embedded Tutorial 11 and submission of
12 4,5,6
designs hands-on project (CA3)
Case studies of real-world embedded
13 4,5,6 Tutorial 12
designs

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Appendix 3: The EAB (Engineering Accreditation Board) Accreditation SLOs (Student Learning
Outcomes)

a) Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, natural science, engineering

fundamentals, and an engineering specialisation to the solution of complex engineering
problems
b) Problem Analysis: Identify, formulate, research literature, and analyse complex engineering
problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural
sciences, and engineering sciences.
c) Design/development of Solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems and
design system components or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate
consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.
d) Investigation: Conduct investigations of complex problems using research-based knowledge
and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and
synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions.
e) Modern Tool Usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern
engineering and IT tools including prediction and modelling to complex engineering activities
with an understanding of the limitations
f) The engineer and Society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess
societal, health, safety, legal, and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to
the professional engineering practice.
g) Environment and Sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering
solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need
for the sustainable development.
h) Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms
of the engineering practice.
i) Individual and Team Work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in
diverse teams and in multidisciplinary settings.
j) Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the
engineering community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and write
effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive
clear instructions.
k) Project Management and Finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
engineering and management principles and economic decision-making, and apply these to
one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in multidisciplinary
environments.
l) Life-long Learning: Recognise the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in
independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change