Overview
In this unit, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to program, interface, and control microcontroller-based embedded systems using structured programming techniques. The unit introduces the architecture and core principles of embedded systems, covering key programming elements such as data types, loops, branching statements, and functions. You will also explore advanced topics, including interrupt handling, timers, and interfacing with peripherals, analogue and digital sensors, and external devices through various communication protocols. Through hands-on laboratory exercises, you will design, prototype, and test embedded systems using commercially available microcontrollers. The unit culminates in a final project where you will design and implement a real-world embedded application. To complete the compulsory practical activities and project, you will need to purchase specific hardware components. Details of the required components and associated costs are available on the unit Moodle site. This unit supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by highlighting how microcontroller-based systems enable low-cost automation and innovation in small-scale industrial applications.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
ENEE14006 Embedded Microcontrollers is an Anti-Requisite for this unit.
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 - 2026
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).
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 Unit Coordinator's Reflection
Many disengaged students failed to complete the formative assessment, leading to lower grades.
The disengaged students should be identified through the completion of formative assessments, and additional support should be provided to those students.
Feedback from SUTE Survey
Some students failed to identify the relevance of the unit content to their degree.
During the workshops, students should be informed about how the skills and knowledge they gain from this unit can be applied to their future careers.