Design Exercise - ELE00122M

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Ruwan Gajaweera
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2020-21

Module summary

The aim of this module is to design a FPGA-based development board, and suitable embedded firmware for communicating with peripherals and debugging the board once it has been constructed. The board’s design will be focused on allowing the implementation of embedded systems.

The production of the embedded system will be constrained by a budget. When designing their development board, students must balance the cost of their choice of hardware components and the purchase of pre-designed firmware IP.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching cycle
A Summer Term 2020-21

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • Learn about the design of systems using a choice of off-the-shelf components

  • Design a multi-layer PCB for an FPGA with a BGA footprint, from schematic capture to layout

  • Write firmware IP for communicating with peripheral components

  • Design the software architecture for implementing an embedded system on the finished board

  • Budget the cost of using different hardware and soft IP elements when creating a complete embedded system

Graduate skills aims:

The group work aspect of the design is an important opportunity to learn more about the dynamics of working in a small technical team. The group presentation provides experience of organising and presenting technical and non-technical information clearly and concisely.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Understand the issues related to the choice of off-the-shelf components
  • Understand the process of laying out a multi-layer PCB for an FPGA with a BGA footprint
  • Have experience of writing firmware IP for interacting with custom components

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to budget the cost of using different hardware and soft IP elements when creating a complete embedded system
  • Be able to work as part of a group on the design of a complex system
  • Be comfortable presenting technical and non-technical project information orally

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Design Exercise		 N/A 20
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation		 N/A 80

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Design Exercise		 N/A 20
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation		 N/A 80

Module feedback

In-class assessment: immediate feedback.

Feedback on the group presentation within one week.

Indicative reading

Use will be made of data sheets.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.