CQUniversity Unit Profile
ENEE14006 Embedded Microcontrollers
Embedded Microcontrollers
All details in this unit profile for ENEE14006 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit will introduce you to microcontroller basics and their real-world applications. Fundamentals of high-level structured language programming, essential for programming a microcontroller, will be taught in this unit. You will learn about different microcontroller families and their similarities and differences from an application point of view. You will also learn about microcontroller architecture, memory maps, addressing modes, interrupts, timers, counters, and hardware interfacing of a chosen microcontroller. You will learn how to program a microcontroller in a high-level language using an integrated development environment. Advance topics of reading analog inputs, implementation of Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter connections with the external world, Pulse Width Modulation, will also be covered in this unit. After learning the fundamentals of hardware interfacing you will practice them in a laboratory using a microcontroller development system based on a specific microcontroller and finally design and prototype a real-world application of the embedded system in your project using the same development system. Online students are required to attend the Residential School.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 4
Credit Points: 12
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.25

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: (ENEE13020 Digital Electronics AND ENEE13018 Analogue Electronics) OR ENEX12002 Introductory Electronics

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2020

Mackay
Mixed Mode

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 25%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 25%
3. Portfolio
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student Evaluation

Feedback

The explanation of the C programing language and how it has been applied to the microcontroller were very clear.

Recommendation

This practice will be continued.

Feedback from Student Evaluation

Feedback

The assessments were engaging and well designed. Also, the feedback was formative and the return time was fast.

Recommendation

This practice will be continued.

Feedback from Student Evaluation

Feedback

The teaching team was not only well-supportive but also attended to all queries raised.

Recommendation

This good practice will be continued.

Feedback from Student Evaluation

Feedback

Due to the nature of the course, the face to face interaction is required.

Recommendation

After the pandemic, face to face interaction will be resumed.

Feedback from Student Evaluation

Feedback

More detail on pointers needs to be explained.

Recommendation

More explanation on pointers will be discussed during the lectures.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply fundamental structured programming knowledge to develop software solutions
  2. Program a microcontroller to interface with external devices such as analog and digital sensors, actuators and computers
  3. Analyse and design microcontroller based real-time applications using a given industry standard development system and software tools
  4. Prototype an embedded microcontroller system for an authentic application
  5. Communicate professionally using relevant technical terminology, symbols, and diagrams and effectively document design and prototyped solutions
  6. Work autonomously and as a team member to analyse problems and present solutions.

The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Written Assessment - 25%
2 - Written Assessment - 25%
3 - Portfolio - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 25%
2 - Written Assessment - 25%
3 - Portfolio - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Access to a document scanner and a software that can create pdf documents.
  • Code::Blocks IDE for C programming (freeware from www.codeblocks.org )
  • A computer with 9 pin serial port or USB to serial converter, speaker & microphone, Microsoft Windows OS(7 or later) with admin rights to install software, and good internet connectivity
  • MPLAB IDE: MPALB X (provided by CQU on lab computers) or later and MCC18 C compiler(free download from Microchip website)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Preethi Preethichandra Unit Coordinator
d.preethichandra@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 13 Jul 2020

Module/Topic

  • Introduction to Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers
  • Introduction to programming languages
  • Introduction to C language Programming environment

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 20 Jul 2020

Module/Topic

  • Programming in C language - Fundamentals

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 27 Jul 2020

Module/Topic

  • PIC Microcontroller and MPLAB X - Introduction
  • Programming in C language - Essentials I

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 03 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

  • PIC 18F4321 Memory, input and output
  • Programming in C language - Essentials II

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 10 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

  • PIC18F4321 Architecture and addressing modes
  • Programming in C language - Intermediate level

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 1 - C language programming Due: Week 5 Friday (14 Aug 2020) 11:55 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 17 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 24 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

  • PIC 18F4321 hardware interfacing I - LCD Display units, Timers and Counters

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 31 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

  • PIC 18F4321 hardware interfacing II - Sensors (analog and Digital)

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 07 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

  • PIC 18F4321 hardware interfacing III - Motors and actuators

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 14 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

  • PIC 18F4321 hardware interfacing IV - keypads, ultrasound sensors, advanced sensors

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 21 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

  • PIC18F4321 communication - RS232, I2C, SPI

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Hardware Programming using CQU PIC Development kit Due: Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2020) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 28 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

  • Introduction to Assembly Language Programming

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 05 Oct 2020

Module/Topic

  • Embedded microcontroller future opportunities

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Portfolio Due: Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2020) 11:55 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Oct 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 19 Oct 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

The Residential School will be held online this term from 29th to 31st of July 9:00am to 5:00pm (AEST). This is a compulsory activity for all students.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment 1 - C language programming

Task Description

This assignment is baced on C language programming. The essential C language skills needed for embedded microcontroller programming will be tested here and students should develop their own solutions to the given problems. Try to analyse the system first and develop a concept solution, develop a graphical representation of it before start coding. All evidence of your own work including a soft copy of your workbook should be provided as evidence.
This is an individual assessment item and no teamwork or contribution from others allowed.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (14 Aug 2020) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (4 Sept 2020)

Marked assignment with feedback. However, there will be no model answers provided.


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Detailed assessment criteria is in the assignment itself.
This assignment is based on C language programming skills. To obtain full marks students must provide all in detail problem solving and solution development evidences. Each student must have their unique programs developed by themselves. Answer to every problem should include a flowchart / NS-diagram or other similar graphical representation of the solution. Students should submit the complete working C language code for each question. A clean working program as the answer to a question without evidence of development of it(ex: without a soft copy of workbook pages relevant to it) will receive a maximum of 50% of the allocated marks for that question.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
as a single word file

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply fundamental structured programming knowledge to develop software solutions


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Hardware Programming using CQU PIC Development kit

Task Description

This assignment is baced on essential C language programming skills needed for embedded microcontroller programming. The embedded hardware programming skills will be tested here and students should develop their own solutions to the given problems. Try to analyse the system first and develop a concept solution, develop a graphical representation of solution before start coding. All evidence of your own work including a soft copy of your workbook should be provided as evidence.
This assignment is based on CQU PIC development board provided and all programs must be developed with MPLAB X IDE and in C language. More technical details will be provided with the assignment.
This is an individual assessment item and no teamwork or contribution from others allowed.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2020) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2020)

Marked assignment with feedback. However, there will be no model answers provided.


Weighting
25%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Detailed assessment criteria is in the assignment itself.
To obtain full marks students must provide all in detail problem solving and solution development evidences. Each student must have their unique programms developed by themselves. Answer to every problem should include a flowchart/ NS-diagram or other similar graphical representation of the solution. Students should submit the complete working C language code for each question. A clean working program as the answer to a question without evidence of development of it( ex: a soft copy of workbook pages relevant to it or explanation of your code) will receive a maximum of 50% of the allocated marks for that question. No assembly language solutions or sub routines  are allowed.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
as a single word file

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Program a microcontroller to interface with external devices such as analog and digital sensors, actuators and computers
  • Analyse and design microcontroller based real-time applications using a given industry standard development system and software tools
  • Prototype an embedded microcontroller system for an authentic application
  • Work autonomously and as a team member to analyse problems and present solutions.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio

Task Description

Project Details

This is the major project in this unit and it is an open ended project. Student can decide the project in consultation with the lecturer and tutors and must finalize it by the end of week 3. The main hardware used is the CQU PIC Development kit and the sensor/actuator board provided by CQU. Students are free to use any additional sensors, actuators, and accessories to the project at their own cost. Students will develop a working prototype of an embedded system solution for a real world problem. Project outcome(developed prototype) will be tested towards the end of the term.

This is an individual assessment item and no teamwork or contribution from others allowed.


Portfolio Details

Portfolio is an individual submission based on their individual project. It must contain the following items and omission of any of them will result in a Fail Grade:

  • Project report containing(but not limited to)        

                Executive summary

                Problem definition

                Project scope

                Solution development report(concept level to programming level)

                Project management report

                Project development report(actual physical prototype fabrication)

                Results and discussion     

                Lessons learnt and recommendations for future development

  • Programming report (your complete programming listing of the project)
  • A copy of peer review of assigned student project(format will be available in Moodle)
  • Individual workbook (scanned /electronic copy of your workbook including your hand-written work)


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2020) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Will be returned with feedback after release of grades.


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The portfolio marks will be allocated to the project depth, successfulnes of each individual element, successfulness of integrating all elements into a complete working prototype, and professional documentation related to project.
The portfolio marks will also be allocated to the level of the project, the level of successful completion, the level of programming techniques and effective memory usages etc.
Detailed description of portfolio assessment criteria will be available in Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
as a single PDF file

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply fundamental structured programming knowledge to develop software solutions
  • Program a microcontroller to interface with external devices such as analog and digital sensors, actuators and computers
  • Analyse and design microcontroller based real-time applications using a given industry standard development system and software tools
  • Prototype an embedded microcontroller system for an authentic application
  • Communicate professionally using relevant technical terminology, symbols, and diagrams and effectively document design and prototyped solutions
  • Work autonomously and as a team member to analyse problems and present solutions.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?