Computer Systems Engineering II, 7.5 credits

Main field of study with advanced study

Computer Systems Engineering I, 7.5 credits. English 6.

The course is included in the Computer Science and Engineering Programme 300 credits and in the Computer Engineer programme 180 credits. The course is also offered as a freestanding course.

The course offers the student the opportunity to obtain an in-depth knowledge of the principles applied in advanced hardware programming. The course builds upon previous courses in digital design, computer engineering, programming and computer systems engineering.

The course offers the student in-depth knowledge in the development of embedded systems including basic theory and methods for handling concurrent processes, inter-process communication, and process scheduling with a focus on real-time scheduling essential for time-constrained embedded systems.

The student should, after completing the course, be able to construct simple operating systems and will have been offered knowledge regarding the programming techniques and concepts relevant to operating systems.

Following successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe the basic operating system used in an embedded computer system.
• describe a methodology for the development and documentation of these systems
• discuss when the methods and principles presented in the course are applicable

Skills and ability

• independently develop advanced software for a small embedded system from a given specification
• use the operating system’s functions to solve simple applications
• plan and methodically carry-out technical development-work within the field; both independently and in small groups
• based on relevant literature both orally and in writing explain and argue implemented hardware and software solutions for embedded systems

Judgement and approach

• argue both orally and in writing for their solution as well as analyze and critically reflect on their results in relation to the project specification

The course consists of a lecture series which takes up principles and functions in simpler operative systems for embedded computer systems. Programming techniques and fundamental concepts for real-time systems are introduced: Concurrency, synchronization and communication, mutual exclusion, and low-level implementation of real-time, reactive, and concurrent constructs.

A large scale project complements the lecture series where students in groups design a simpler operative system which is performed on an embedded computer system. An application project will implemented in accordance with a given specification.

The teaching consists of lectures and project work. Teaching is in English.

The examination consists of written and oral presentation of the project work in groups and a individual written examination.

The course grade is given by the integer part of the average of the grades on the project and the written exam.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions from the specified examination format and allow a student to be examined in another way. Special reasons can e.g. be study support for students with disabilities.

Course evaluation is part of the course. This evaluation offers guidance in the future development and planning of the course. Course evaluation is documented and made available to the students.