Course syllabus - Programming of Reliable Embedded Systems

Objectives

The course will give an understanding for the importance of reliability in embedded systems and its effect on the design phase. Furthermore, it shall provide the student with knowledge of constructions for advanced embedded systems, with focus on methods and tools 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 completing the course, the student shall be able to:
 
1. show understanding for the complexity regarding reliability in an embedded heterogeneous system
2. show understanding for how to create reliable synchronization and transfer of data between differing processing architectures in a heterogeneous system
3. be able to realize a deterministic and reliable system by way of an FPGA
4. be able to realize true parallel processing in an FPGA
5. be able to realize a complex heterogeneous system

Course content

Reliability in software and hardware, and how to achieve it. Structuring of code for reliability. Heterogeneous systems. Exercises in programming FPGAs and heterogeneous systems.

Tuition

Lectures, project and laboratory work.

Specific requirements

Complex Electronic Systems 7.5 ECTS credits and Data Structures, Algorithms and Program Development 7.5 ECTS credits or corresponding.

Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English A/English 6 are required. For courses given in entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish B/Swedish 3.

Examination

Laboratory work (LAB1), 4 credits, (examines the learning objectives 3 and 4), Marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Project (PRO1), 2 credits, (examines the learning objective 5), Marks Fail (U), 3, 4 or 5
Written examination (TEN1), 1,5 credits, (examines the learning objectives 1 and 2), Marks Fail (U), 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

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course completely overlaps with DVA447 Programming of Reliable Embedded Systems. The course also overlaps with 4,5 credits towards DVA426 Programming of Reliable Embedded Systems and also with 6 credits towards DVA441 Programming of Reliable Embedded Systems.
The course can be included in the technology field for dependable systems.