Embedded Systems Courses

This course introduces the students to electronic fabrication techniques and safety programs.

This course is designed to introduce the student to programming and logic skills required for technical problem solving and analysis. Skills will be developed and enhanced through the use of modularized processes, control and looping structures, as well as functions of the C++ language as they are applied to practical applications.

Digital II will cover computer building blocks including the TTL family of components (logic gates, flip-flops, one-shots, counters, shift registers, and multiplexers/demultiplexers). Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters will be covered for digital/analog interfacing. The student will gain practical experience in digital circuitry troubleshooting.

This course relates the use of a variety of test equipment including the oscilloscope with electrical and electronic circuit measurements. Students will study and employ theoretical and practical circuit analysis techniques for both AC and DC circuits. The atomic structure of semiconductors including diodes will be studied along with their operation in rectification and voltage regulation applications. Transformers and special purpose diodes will also be demonstrated for use in practical applications. Knowledge gained in this course will build upon the student’s troubleshooting skills and further develop AC and DC circuit analysis proficiency.

This course introduces the student to 3D modeling for electronic enclosures and assemblies. An examination of various manufacturing processes will provide information required to help make decisions on material choice and method of manufacture from prototype to production. A study of fastening types, heatsinks, and interface components is included to impart skills required in the design of 3D models combining mechanical and electronic components. A final project will allow students to demonstrate their competency in 3D modeling using information acquired in the course.

In this course, students will understand barriers to intercultural communication, assess cultural differences, and apply strategies to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients from other cultures. Students will apply principles of plain language to communicate effectively to diverse audiences using a variety of communication channels. They will apply research strategies to evaluate sources of information and will apply APA standards of documentation and style to academic work. Students will analyse audience and purpose to create business correspondence using the direct approach.

This course emphasizes the importance of oral and written communication in an industrial and business setting. In Communications for Technology, students will work on independent and group projects and apply problem-solving techniques to develop both their individual and team building skills. Students will apply computer-technology and a variety of resources for researching, writing and presenting technical data into a clear and concise format.

Industrial Data Networks introduces the student to the software, hardware and structure of modern control system communication networks. The student will look at different types of signal mediums, modes of transmission and error detection. The student will also examine the architecture of industrial local area networks, such as RS232, RS485, TCP/IP, RTU protocol and the hardware and line requirements for each network type.

This course will cover the basics of embedded system organization including the ARM Cortex-M3, M4, and M4F microcontroller architectures. Common integrated peripherals will be studied including general purpose Input/Output (I/O), timers, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) units, and Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC) providing the foundation required for embedded system design and development. Students will learn design fundamentals starting with the Unified Modelling Language (UML), machine code, and assembly language coding. Practical application design will be presented showing students how to interface with LEDs, external contacts, high-voltage electro-mechanical relays, analog signals, and culminate with the design and operation of a bi-directional, variable speed DC motor controller.

This course reviews the fundamental aspects of C++ as an objected oriented programming language and applicability in solving technical problems. Students will develop classes making use of encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism when developing coded solutions to problems. Code efficiency will be discussed for both size and speed while maintaining portability to a variety of platforms. Each student will complete an approved software project that solves a technical problem to demonstrate analysis, design, and coding skills.

This course will provide the student with industrial electronic fundamentals applicable to many embedded system designs. It includes the study of oscillators, signal conditioning with Op Amps and the application of output devices such as relays, BJTs, MOSFETs and IGBTs. Noise suppression methods are examined for electro-mechanical and solid-state switching devices. Semiconductor thermal effects and methods of heat removal are investigated for increased reliability. Voltage regulation and voltage references are identified for use in power supply and data acquisition applications.

In this course, students will develop managerial skills to propose, plan, secure resources, budget, and lead project teams to successful completion of projects. Students will also learn why organizations have developed a formal project management process supported by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and its Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) to gain a competitive advantage. The case study approach will be used along with an investigation of software and collaboration tools that aid in carrying out activities of project planning and project execution.

This course is designed to introduce students to the culture and legislative requirements of safety. Students will be introduced to basic concepts of industrial safety such as training and committee requirements. There will be a strong reliance on the Ontario Health and Safety Act so that students are able to reference the act.

This course provides the student with a foundation in the practical aspects of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design. Industry-standard EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools are used for schematic design/capture including BOM (Bill of Material) generation, and the use and design of custom component libraries. A study of schematic flow and segmentation along with functional circuit simulation prepares the student to move on to the second part of the course in PCB layout. The physical realization of electronics design is studied following IPC (Institute for Printed Circuits) standards and best practices. IBIS (I/O Buffer Information Specification) models will be used to show effects of components and PCB layout features on signal integrity. The relationship between schematics and the PCB layout is applied using design directives for voltage, current, impedance, and frequency requirements. PCB layout challenges and solutions are presented including thermal transfer, noise reduction for EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility), manufacturability, and cost reduction.

This course provides the student with a foundation in the theory of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design. An analysis of part functionality, availability, and cost is presented to provide students with the ability to select components for a design. Concepts of schematic design are studied to effectively convey the operation of electronics circuits while supporting a framework for use by industry-standard EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools. The physical realization of electronics design is explored following IPC (Institute for Printed Circuits) standards and best practices. The analog effects of digital signals are considered along with the relationship between voltage, current, impedance, and frequency. Thermal effects and noise will also be examined to help ensure students gain the knowledge needed for employment in a variety of PCB design areas.

This course will introduce the student to the concepts of quality control and quality assurance in the workplace.

This course will cover more advanced theory of embedded system design with the ARM Cortex-M4F microcontroller. State-based and Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) scheduling techniques will be presented in the design of sequenced applications using the C programming language. Students will design and implement software stacks and queues used in practical applications by interfacing with other computer systems. The I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus will be studied to provide connection to external devices including Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC), Real Time Clocks (RTC) and Input/Output (I/O) expanders. Students will learn how to interface with user I/O including pushbuttons and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) module. Analog signal interfacing and acquisition will be studied to complete a functioning embedded control system. The widely-used PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) algorithm will also be explored and coded for practical implementation in a motor controller.

This embedded systems design course is offered to fulfill the practical application of the knowledge gained by the student in EL 508. Students will build circuitry to interface with a Cortex-M4F microcontroller and design software to demonstrate the hardware and software theory learned in EL 508. Each lab is presented as a base platform with clear design objectives allowing the student to develop a custom solution using learned techniques. The course culminates with the design and implementation of a pulse-width modulated motor controller utilizing encoder feedback and a control algorithm for speed and position control.

As most modern control systems involve a computer-to human interface, it is the objective of this course to provide an overview and basic understanding of programming techniques used in graphical interface and control system development. This course will allow the student to utilize C++ to construct, troubleshoot and write programs to control external circuits and gather data from external digital inputs and A/D (Analog to-Digital) converters via a PC (Personal Computer) using a USB connection. Actual field measurements will be plotted versus time on a graph generated within the application. The PC and external hardware required to complete the task will be studied, as well as common control theory and algorithms.

Students will study PCB features and design a board-level embedded system incorporating an Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller. Project management techniques for engineering will be introduced that will include creating a work breakdown structure for development, manufacturing, and prototype presentation. Professional level CAD/CAM design tools will be used to design a prototype circuit board in-house which will be assembled by the student to help refine prototype and rework skills. An in-class presentation will allow the student to demonstrate the operation of their embedded system to their peers. Students will also be required to submit technical documentation and fabrication/assembly files for production.

This course examines the structure and application of real-time operating systems (RTOS) in embedded systems. Students explore methods of achieving concurrency, including multithreading models, context switching, and synchronization mechanisms such as semaphores, mutexes, and spin locks. The course addresses scheduling techniques, thread states, and challenges such as priority inversion and resource starvation, along with industry-standard solutions. Learners investigate memory management strategies, including static and dynamic allocation, memory pooling, and shared memory. Emphasis is placed on preparing and deploying an RTOS by configuring hardware resources, exploring APIs, and integrating driver libraries. Through a major project, students design, implement, and evaluate a working embedded system employing a real-time operating system.

This course offers an in-depth exploration into the design and development of robust embedded firmware systems, with a strong emphasis on real-world applications and industry-relevant tools. Students will gain hands-on experience working with vendor-specific driver libraries such as Texas Instruments' TivaWare SDK and Arm's Cortex Microcontroller Software Interface Standard (CMSIS) to build efficient, low-level device drivers and middleware. The course delves into the critical architecture and implementation of bootloaders, enabling secure and reliable firmware updates. Additionally, students will explore the intersection of embedded systems and the Internet of Things (IoT), developing connected applications using MQTT protocol over WiFi to enable lightweight, scalable communication between devices. By the end of the course, students will have engineered end-to-end embedded solutions, equipping them with the skills to navigate complex firmware ecosystems in modern connected systems.

This course introduces the student to VHDL (VHSIC (Very High Speed Integrated Circuit) Hardware Description Language) and applications with a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Students will focus on design synthesis to implement basic combinational and sequential logic operations including more advanced topics such as signal decoding and state machine applications. FPGA functional and post-route timing simulation is studied to verify timing and assist during development. Asynchronous external interfacing topics are discussed and implemented to provide students with solutions to many common challenges in FPGA design.

This course is designed to prepare students to successfully write the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) Professional Practice Examination (PPE), required for certification for engineering technicians and technologists by this professional certifying body. The basics of the association's structure, contract law, ethics, and professional practice will be examined. The student assessment will include practice examinations similar to OACETT's PPE.

This course introduces students to the nature of business and entrepreneurship. Students will obtain an overview of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process and then expand into key concepts, including business types, customers, marketing, financials and human resources. The options of franchising and purchasing existing businesses are also covered in this course. Students will outline and assess the components of a Business Plan.