ECEA 5375 Microcontrollers: Basic Architecture and Design

1st course in the M抖阴旅行射 Architecture, Design Optimization and AI at the Edge Specialization

Instructor: Steve Sheafor

This course introduces students to the architecture and design of Microcontrollers (M抖阴旅行射s), which are small processors used in a myriad of products. The main M抖阴旅行射 components of the processor, memory, I/O interfaces and their interconnections will be examined, with a focus on the processor. The process of optimizing performance, energy usage and cost will be explored in a project where students will begin the development of an M抖阴旅行射 in a system context.

The course will go beyond basic architecture and design to explore real-world details involved in the design of actual hardware products. Although focused on M抖阴旅行射s, many of these topics are relevant to the architecture and design of all types of advance digital components.

Learning Outcomes

Analyze the key factors used to evaluate and compare M抖阴旅行射s.
Describe an M抖阴旅行射 product family and its applications.
Describe M抖阴旅行射s and their relationship to other processor types.
Assess the performance impact of M抖阴旅行射 bus functions.
Identify the busses used in M抖阴旅行射s.
Describe the functions of basic M抖阴旅行射 components.
Describe how clocks affect the power and energy of an M抖阴旅行射.
Explain the mechanisms for tuning internal M抖阴旅行射 voltages for optimization.
Describe various methods for controlling M抖阴旅行射 power usage.
Analyze the basic system components available in the ARMv7 architecture.
Describe how the ARM processor families are organized.
Compare the available M抖阴旅行射 processors.
Examine methods for efficiently designing M抖阴旅行射s using configuration.
Define several key ARMv8 Extensions.
Implement the M抖阴旅行射 Design Course submission process.
Optimize the Peripheral Interface modules to minimize M抖阴旅行射 area.
Optimize the Peripheral Device connections to an M抖阴旅行射 to minimize M抖阴旅行射 area.
Optimize the voltage and frequency of an M抖阴旅行射 to minimize execution time and energy.
Assign sleep states in order to optimize power/energy and performance.
Configure Peripheral Interfaces in order to facilitate reuse and optimize area.
Add power control to Peripheral Interfaces in order to optimize area and power/energy.

Syllabus

Week 1 | M抖阴旅行射 Background and Analysis

Duration: 5听hours

In this module we will discuss Microcontrollers (M抖阴旅行射s), their relationship to other processor types, their usage applications and how to evaluate them. 听

Week 2 | M抖阴旅行射 Components

Duration: 3听hours

In this module we will explore the basic M抖阴旅行射 components, their functions and the busses used to connect them to each other. 听

Week 3 | M抖阴旅行射 Power Control and Timing

Duration: 9.5听hours

In this module we will explore various methods for managing M抖阴旅行射 power usage, including the clock system.听

Week 4 | M抖阴旅行射 Processors

Duration: 3听hours

In this module we will identify the alternatives for M抖阴旅行射 processors and look closely at the processors from ARM.

Week 5 | M抖阴旅行射 Processor Details

Duration: 8.5 hour

In this module we will examine several additional functions created in the newer ARMv8 architecture and explain how M抖阴旅行射s are designed efficiently using configuration.

Week 6 | Final Exam

Duration: 2听hours

This module contains materials for the proctored final exam for MS-ECE degree students. If you've upgraded to the for-credit version of this course, please make sure you review the additional for-credit materials in the Introductory module and anywhere else they may be found.听

To learn about ProctorU's exam proctoring, system test links, and privacy policy, visit听www.colorado.edu/ecee/online-masters/current-students/proctoru.

Grading

Assignment	Percentage of Grade
5 Graded Assignments (Quizzes)	10% (2% each)
Programming Assignment: M抖阴旅行射 Design Project Stage 0	5%
2 Programming Assignments	60% (30% each)
Final Exam	25%

Letter Grade Rubric

Letter Grade听	Minimum Percentage
A	93%
A-	90%
B+	87%
B	83%
B-	80%
C+	77%
C	73%
C-	70%
D+	67%
D	60%
F	0%

抖阴旅行射