Course syllabus for Embedded system design project

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameKonstruktionsprojekt i inbyggda elektroniksystem
  • CodeDAT096
  • Credits15 Credits
  • OwnerMPEES
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyComputer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering
  • DepartmentCOMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 15116
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0111 Project 15 c
Grading: TH
0 c0 c7.5 c7.5 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

A passing grade in DAT094 or in the laboratory part of DAT093 (course element 0113) is required. A passing grade in the laboratory part of MCC092 (course element 0216) or MCC091 (course element 0211) is required. Lab exercises and term paper work in DAT110 must have been completed. Students in the MPEES Master program have priority to this course. Other students who fulfill the prerequisites are admitted if seats are available.

Aim

The overall aim of the course is that the students should learn how to critically and creatively identify, formulate, and solve a complex design problem. This is achieved by letting groups of students put the training from the fall to use in designing a complete embedded electronic system. Although the project goal varies from year to year, the technical area of the project spans from embedded software to technology platforms such as FPGAs and ASICs.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  1. Apply her/his technical expertise to a multi-person project where an electronic product (FPGA / ASIC) is specified, designed, implemented, and verified.
  2. Proficiently use modern EDA tools for FPGAs / ASICs.
  3. Contribute, in several team roles, to a multi-person project where an industry-like agile project model is used. This includes planning, follow-up and trade offs under resource constraints.
  4. Reflect on the group process in an international team.
  5. Write an academic report, with several authors, describing a product-development project, with correct handling of references and including relevant ethical aspects.
  6. Document an electronic product technically, including testing and verification documentation.
  7. Design a presentation, with time constraints, and deliver it.

Content

This is a course where the students in teams  undertake an electronic product prototype design. From product specification, functional design, detailed design, and all the way to implementation. The target technologies are FPGA, and/or ASIC (digital or analog).

Organisation

The course consists of a major project assignment. The project work is done in teams where a number of students work together. The project target technologies are FPGA, but also digital and analog ASIC. The project work is conducted according to a well-known agile project model. The project is reported orally and in written reports. The written reports comprise technical documentation, any reports  required in a project model and an academic report.

Literature

Recommended: Susan A Wheelan: Creating Effective Teams - A Guide for Members and Leaders 5th edition  (Sage publications).
Reference literature: Course books from previous courses in the MPEES program. CAD-tool manuals. Scientific articles.

Examination including compulsory elements

To pass, a number of compulsory tasks have to be fulfilled by the team, including: submitting half-time report(s), and a final report, and getting them approved; conducting regular project meetings with supervisor, including reflection meetings and close-out meeting; orally presenting the planning, half-time, and final reports; and delivering an approved end product. In addition, each student has to maintain a personal logbook.

To pass the course each student also has to complete an individual ethics assignment which is graded pass/fail. It involves writing a reflective note which addresses an ethical dilemma in research and development within the technical scope of the course.

Each team project is assessed according to the two main deliverables: a final academic report (40 %), and the product, including product documentation (30%); and on the team process (30 %). The team process is assessed using team and individual logbooks, agile process documentation, supervisor contacts, etc. The result of this combined assessment is a team base grade. An individual grade is awarded to each student, based on the contribution to the the team's result (all three parts). The individual grade may be higher or lower than the team base grade.



The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.