MECHENG 313 : Design of Real-Time Software
Engineering
2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Real-time software is sometimes implemented on embedded devices (e.g., a microcontroller in your electric toothbrush), and other times implemented on larger computers (e.g., a laptop or desktop machine used to control large plant at a steelworks). In this paper you will program both; you will learn to write software in C for implementation on a microcontroller, and you will learn to write C# for implementation on a laptop/desktop.
In Part 1 (Weeks 1 to 7) of this paper, we will discuss real-time systems implemented on microcontrollers. Some of the topics covered include the following:
An overview of real-time systems
Binary representation and arithmetic
Introduction to microcontroller programming
Methods of input and output
Microcontroller peripherals: timers & counters
Microcontroller peripherals: analog-to-digital conversion
Finite state machines for design and analysis of event-driven, cyclical programs
In Part 2 (Weeks 8 to 12) of this paper, we will discuss real-time systems implemented on large computers such as desktop machines. Some of the topics covered include the following:
Introduction to programming with C#
Further concepts in object-oriented programming
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs)
Real-time operating systems
Scheduling
Threading
As a result of taking this paper, we aim to improve your C and C# programming skills; to give you hands-on experience programming microcontrollers, and to develop your understanding of the range of microcontroller applications; to develop your understanding of object-oriented approaches to software design; to develop you understanding of real-time systems as they’re often encountered, by Mechatronics engineers, in industry and in research.
Course materials are drawn from a range of sources, some of which are as follows:
Butterfield, A., Ngondi, G. E., & Kerr, A. (Eds.). (2016). A dictionary of computer science. Oxford University Press.
Kopetz, H. (2011). Real-time systems: design principles for distributed embedded applications. Springer Science & Business Media.
Microchip Technology Inc., “ATmega48A/PA/88A/PA/168A/PA/328/P Data Sheet,” DS40002061A, November 2018.
Patterson, D. A., & Hennessy, J. L. (2016). Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware Software Interface. Morgan Kaufmann.
Sedra, A., Smith, K. C., Carusone, T. C., & Gaudet, V. (1998). Microelectronic Circuits 8th Edition. Oxford University Press, New York.
Williams, R. (2005). Real-time systems development. Elsevier.
Wilson, G. R. (2001). Embedded systems and computer architecture. Elsevier.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate the principal concepts of real-time systems (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
- Design and implement solutions to real-time mechanical/mechatronics problems using the C or C# programming language (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
- Analyse mechanical/mechatronics problems for which a real-time solution has been implemented in the C and/or C# programming language (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 2.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 40% | Group Coursework |
| Final Exam | 60% | Individual Examination |
| 2 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation (per week, that is).
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Delivery:
3 x 1 hr lectures per week
1 x 1 hr tutorial per week
8 x 2 hr laboratories
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and guest lectures may be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Health & Safety
Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.