Lecture topics:

1:    Introduction: design flow from the specification to the realized device

2:    Overview of design methods, introduction of up-to-date MCAD and ECAD systems. Specification issues.

3:    Comparison of hardware implementation techniques from microcontrollers to ASIC devices.

4:    System design approach. Case study: System-on-a-Chip Devices, peripherals of a SoC

5:    Central hardware alternatives, Programmable Devices (CPU, MCU, CPLD, FPGA and SoC overview)

6-7: Communication in complex hardware systems: on-die, on-board, on-system communication methods

8-9: Sensors in complex systems: compact solutions for transducers and sensors, signal conditioning, calibration, correction circuits, embedded system applications, thermal/pressure/force/acceleration sensors.

10-11:Power management: design issues, wired and wireless techniques. Buck/boost/Cuk/charge-pump converters, Flyback/forward converters, design case study

12:  High power devices in complex systems. Discrete components, mechanical and thermal issues.

13:  Virtual instrumentation, instrument control: sequential processing, master-slave and producer-consumer design patterns, state machines.

2 hours/week lectures and 2 hour/week (computer) laboratory practices including demonstration with practical examples and case studies.

a.    During the term: one mid-term test

Requirement for granting the signature: >= 2 (satisfactory).

b.    In the exam period:

Way of examination: written

On mid-term test

If a student fails to pass at mid-term test, it can be repeated during the term. In principle there is no second repetition.