Course syllabus - Programming of Reliable Embedded Systems

Objectives

The course shall provide the student with knowledge of constructions for advanced embedded systems, with focus on methods and means for establishing a foundation for reliable systems.
 
The number of systems governed by embedded computers are ever-increasing, and so is our dependence in them. Increasingly advanced systems often imply extended functionality and improved quality of service, but also an elevated risk exposure as a consequence of the increase in complexity. Systems potentially harmful to humans and the environment due to flaws in functional integrity are classified as safety critical. Risk minimization in such systems are attained through an increase in reliability as well as through identifying and handling erroneous system behavior.
 
A well-conceived system design is vital and choice of hardware platform as well as programming language are crucial when it comes to reliability. Additionally, high performance systems are bound to be heterogeneous, including both CPUs and FPGAs, which makes the ability for designing and ensuring the functionality of such diverse platforms of great importance.

Learning outcomes

After completed the course, the student shall:

1. be able to design a threaded program by using Ada tasking including Rendez-Vous,
2. understand different ways of creating synchronization and transfer of data by the use of protected objects,
3. be able to realize parallel processing in FPGAs using VHDL and
4. be able to realize a complex heterogeneous system through combination of platform specific programming languages.

Course content

Semantics and syntax for Ada including tasking and protected objects. Semantics and syntax for VHDL. Structuring of VHDL for reliability. Exercises in programming tasking (including protected objects) in Ada, programming FPGAs using VHDL, and programming of heterogeneous systems through LabVIEW and VHDL.

Tuition

Lectures and laboratory work.

Specific requirements

Complex Electronic Systems 7,5 credits and Data Structures, Algorithms and Program Development 7,5 credits or corresponding.

Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course A/English course 6 are also required.

Examination

Laboratory work (LAB1), 3 credits, (Examines the learning outcomes 1-3), marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Project (PRO1), 3 credits, (examines the learning outcome 4), marks 3, 4 or 5
Examination (TEN1), 1,5 credits, (examines the learning outcomes 1-3), marks 3, 4 or 5

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass with credit, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course completely overlaps with DVA426 Programming of Reliable Embedded Systems.