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As listed on the Education home page, modules completed in the Second Year included
Computer Engineering
Telecommunications
Computer Programming
Analogue Circuit Design
Digital Circuit Design
Fields and Waves in Electronics
Semiconductors
Engineering Project Management
Software Engineering
Mathematical Methods
Since the make-up of the course has changed over the years, below is what the equivalent of some of the above topics now look like:
CE261-5-FY Electronic and Telecommunication Project and Industrial Practice
Module Outline
To provide students with an understanding of the computing and related industries, to further develop the skills that are fundamental to a successful career and to work in a team to design, build and demonstrate a working software system.
The module consists of two parallel strands. In one strand, students will learn about the industrial context, and carry out research into companies, products and careers in their chosen sector. The second strand will consist of an extended team project, which will, wherever possible, be based on a real development scenario related to their chosen sector.
The scenario for each project will vary each year. Examples of projects that have run previously are a UART receiver and a frequency swept circuit analyser.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
Describe the processes involved in the production of a project management plan.
Demonstrate knowledge of the use of project management tools and techniques.
Explain and justify the design of their team’s finished product.
Be able to report on individual contribution to the team’s effort.
Demonstrate an understanding of professional, legal and ethical issues that affect the work of the computer professional.
Outline Syllabus
The team project will be conducted over two terms. As well as providing a framework for students to develop and apply technical skills, it will build upon and extend the project management skills acquired in the ?rst year team project. Students will also gain an understanding of some of the essential non-technical aspects of product development. Depending upon the nature of the project, these could include project costing, risk assessment, marketing and release management.
Guest speakers from Industry will be invited to present topical subjects. The aim will be to get at least one speaker per term.
Each team will be required to have:
Held regular group meetings and maintained a diary of their progress.
Defined and allocated task to individual members of the group.
Used available project management tools to organise their activities.
Produced appropriate documentation to a professional standard describing each stage in the construction of their system.
Topics to be covered will include:
The nature of projects and project management.
Project management tools and techniques.
Organisations: major players and SMEs, organisational structures and roles within organisations.
Entrepreneurship.
Marketing & Finance.
Products: current and emerging products, methodologies and techniques that support product development cycles from inception to delivery.
Professional Codes of Practice.
Legal and ethical issues relating to IT systems.
Case studies: provided by guest speakers from industry.
CE262-5-FY Engineering Mathematics
Module Outline
The module is designed to develop key mathematical skills that can be applied throughout engineering. Topics include the basic calculus and integral transform theory needed to understand signal processing and linear electrical circuits; they also include the probability theory needed to understand the concepts of reliability, noise and random event phenomena associated with electronic systems. There is emphasis throughout on using software tools (exempli?ed in Matlab) as an aid to understanding and solving problems.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
Find Laplace transforms of time domain functions
Find inverse Laplace transforms using partial fractions
Analyse circuits using Laplace impedances
Evaluate statistics such as mean and variance for a probability distribution
Recognise appropriate probability distributions for various applications
Model a simple queue as a birth-death process
Apply basic quadrature rules to estimate an integral numerically
Outline Syllabus
Review of Basic Differentiation and Integration
Techniques
Laplace Transform Theory
The complex exponential function
Synthesising waveforms by adding complex exponentials
The Laplace transform Basic properties: scaling, differentiation, integration, time-shift
The inverse transform: partial fractions
Applications of Laplace Transforms
Laplace impedances and admittances
First, second and higher order circuits
’s’ as an operator
Poles and zeroes
Manipulation and illustration in Matlab
Probability
Review of basic probability
Discrete distributions: uniform, binomial and Poisson
Mean and variance
Generating functions
Continuous distributions
Probability density function
Examples: uniform, Gaussian
The concept of a stochastic process
Applications of Probability
Reliabilty
Noise
The single-server queue
Computer generation of random numbers with various distributions
Monte Carlo techniques and simulation
Matlab examples
Numerical Methods
Root finding: Newton-Raphson
Basic quadrature techniques: trapezoidal, midpoint and Simpson rules
Matlab examples
CE243-5-SP Embedded Processors and Systems
Module Outline
The aim of this module is to provide practical and theoretical skills needed to understand and program embedded processor systems, with particular emphasis on I/O device controllers, sensors and actuators.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
Write programs for embedded micro-controllers.
Design sensor input and actuator output modules.
Define requirements for analogue I/O tasks and specify ways to achieve them.
Discuss methods for implementing embedded processor solutions to various problems.
Compare and contrast different micro-controllers and their uses.
Outline Syllabus
Introduction
What is an embedded system?
Co-operative vs. pre-emptive scheduling
Pattern-based design
Implementation and testing
A suitable hardware platform
Decisions, decisions
The 8051 family and the P89LPC932 microcontroller
The ARM family and the LPC2106 microcontroller
Prototyping using a desktop PC
System foundations
Oscillator hardware
Reset hardware
Hello, embedded world
Wrapping your ports and your projects
Implementing delays
Driving small DC loads
Co-operative schedulers
Scheduling a single periodic task
Developing multi-state designs
Working with multiple periodic tasks
Making use of system slack time
Dealing with task overruns
Working at the task level
Using watchdog timers
Adding a task guardian to the scheduler
Event handling and pre-emptive tasks
Handling single events in small systems
Creating an event-triggered co-operative architecture
Creating a simple pre-emptive scheduler
Pulling it all together
Designing and implementing a suitable scheduler
Designing the user interface
CE263-5-FY Analogue Devices and Circuit Design
Module Outline
This module aims to develop an in-depth understanding of analogue systems and circuit techniques both from the perspective of the design process and the fundamental understanding of the physics of electronic devices. The module incorporates three major themes: The first focuses on the fundamental physics of semiconductor devices to establish a proper framework of understanding for their operation and manufacture where a laboratory experiment includes the actual fabrication and assessment of a semiconductor device. The second theme is the circuit orientated theme aiming to engender both an intuitive understanding of simple circuit design and functionality. The third theme focuses on the more formal analysis and computer simulation techniques using equivalent circuit transistor model where key skills in numeracy and circuit simulation are developed that are further augmented by a case study that investigates an audio power amplifier used as an example of a large-signal circuit.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
Understand the physical nature of drift and diffusion conductivity mechanisms in intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors.
Explain the physical basis of operation of a p-n junction diodes, bipolar transistors and junction and MOS field effect transistors, and be able to use this understanding to calculate their behaviour as circuit elements.
Learn device fabrication techniques in the clean room and fabricate and characterize discrete electronic devices.
Derive ac equivalent models from transistor terminal behaviour as an aid to small-signal analysis and as a design aid for small-signal audio amplifiers and linear oscillators.
Understand the design process and system requirements and apply these in the design of single-stage transistor amplifiers, basic operational amplifier circuits, bipolar power amplifiers and power supplies.
Use CAD tools such as Multisim to perform circuit-level simulations.
Implement, test and evaluate practical design solutions and communicate the methodology, results and conclusions in both written and oral form.
Outline Syllabus
Fundamental Semiconductor Physics
Resistivity and conductivity. Metals, semiconductors and insulators
Intrinsic and Extrinsic semiconductors
Electrical Conduction: Drift and diffusion. Carrier lifetime, mobility the continuity equations
Electronic Devices
The p-n Junction Diode: Equilibrium, forward and reverse operation; Diode equation Device capacitance Breakdown mechanisms
Ideal, practical and complex diode models
Junction Transistors: Bipolar junction transistor Ideal and non-ideal current voltage characteristics Operating modes: Ebers-Moll (large dc) model Junction Field-Effect Transistors: Structure and operation. Characteristic equations Small-signal models
Fabrication Processes: Wafer preparation Mask Sequence UV Lithography Metallization Chemical Etching Mesa Structures Step Height measurements Contact formation Ultra sound bonding Testing
MOSFET Transistors: Enhancement and depletion devices Channel formation and operation. Fabrication, including typical dimensions
Poly-silicon gate process Device characteristics and equations
Small-signal model including capacitances CMOS structures and processing Comparison of BJT and MOS technologies
Basic Electronic Circuits
Power Supplies: Overview
Half-wave rectification
Full-wave rectification
The bridge rectifier
Smoothing filters
Ripple voltage
Zener diodes
The Zener regulated power supply
Series regulator
Transistor Bias Circuits: Choice of DC operating point.
Base bias circuit
Effect of temperature and variation with base bias
Voltage-divider bias
Effect of temperature and variation with voltage-divider bias
Collector feedback bias
Effect of temperature and variation with collector feedback bias
Use of nearest preferred values in the design process
Coping with power supply noise
Oscillators
Barkhausen criterion RC, LC and Wien bridge oscillator configurations
Frequency stability
Crystal Oscillators
Amplitude Stabilisation
Audio Amplifiers
Single-Stage Transistor Amplifiers
Simple small-signal model
Common-emitter amplifier
Effect of source and load resistance
Use of series feedback
Common-collector amplifier
Low-frequency amplifier response
Estimation of critical frequencies Bode plots.
Operational Amplifiers: The differential single stage amplifier.
Op-amp parameters
Differential gain
Common-mode gain
Offsets and Negative feedback
The non-inverting amplifier
The voltage follower
Effects of negative feedback on input and output resistances Bias
current and offset voltage compensation
The inverting amplifier
Slew rate
Compensation capacitor
Open-loop and closed-loop frequency response
Op-amp Circuits
Simple comparator
The effect of noise
Comparator with hysteresis
Flash converter
Summing amplifier
Integrator and differentiator
Difference amplifiers
Audio Power Amplifiers and CAD Exercise
Comparison of voltage amplifier and power amplifier
Use of negative feedback to reduce Output impedance and non-linear distortion, Crossover distortion, classes A, AB and B output stage biasing
Darlington configuration
Introduction to the MultiSIM CAD simulation exercise
Power amplifier circuit example
CE264-5-FY Digital Systems Design
Module Outline
This module aims to teach students the basics of digital system design at system and register transfer level, with an emphasis on implementation on chip, using FPGAs. The medium of design is VHDL, with some coverage of other design languages. Design-for-test is taught as an integral part of digital system design. Synchronous systems are emphasised.
During the module, students will complete a significant mini-project in which a digital sub-system is designed, simulated, validated and tested on an FPGA.
By the end of the module, students will have a good understanding of digital system design using hardware description languages, and be able to design a simple system or sub-system.
The module has a heavy emphasis on laboratory-based learning, by studying and modifying designs, and by creating designs from scratch to meet a given specification.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
Understand a VHDL description of digital hardware.
Demonstrate competence at finding and fixing simple design and/or syntax errors in a design expressed in VHDL.
Understand how to incorporate functionality from existing libraries and packages into a design.
Demonstrate competence at designing and implementing simple designs in VHDL code.
Explain the principles of design for test, using scan-type techniques, and JTAG.
Demonstrate competence at compiling and simulating VHDL code using a specified design environment.
Outline Syllabus
Basics of VHDL
Language syntax and semantics
Event-driven simulation model
Behavioural models and synthesisable code
Logic synthesis examples
Case studies using GPL or LGPL code, e.g. 8051 processor, LEON 3 Sparc
Sequential logic and systems
Moore and Mealy models
Automated synthesis from HDL code
Implementation routes
FPGA, including place and route
ASIC, including floorplanning and place and route
Principal digital sub-systems
Combinational: arithmetic functions, encoders, decoders
Sequential: counters, registers, shift-registers, register files
Memory: RAM and ROM
Data transfer: buses
Design as a top-down architecture-driven process
Design verification against a specification or model
Testing and design-for-test
Stuck fault model
Combinational circuit test
Scan-based sequential test
Built-in self test
IEEE Test Access Port and Boundary Scan Architecture
CE215-5-SP Robot Programming
Module Outline
The aims of this module are to introduce the essential principles of robot programming, and to provide practical experience in programming mobile robots for their potential applications in the real world.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the objectives and difficulties of robot programming.
Demonstrate an understanding of processing sensory inputs.
Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental principles of control.
Design, construct and program Lego robots to perform a range of tasks.
Explain robot localisation and navigation.
Outline Syllabus
Introduction to robotics
A brief history of robotics
Lego robots, Lego RCX brick
Design, construction, and programming of Lego robots
Programming Lego RCX brick
Designing sensory-motor behaviours
Robot perception
Sonar sensors, time-of-flight ranging
Optical encoders
Processing, interpreting, and acting upon sensory inputs.
Motion control
Control of motors
Wheeled mobile robot locomotion
Fundamental principles of control
Localisation and navigation
Dead-reckoning
Trilateration
Local and global map building
Robot behaviours
Simulation in robotics
CE221-2-FY Programming with C++
Module Outline
The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the C++ programming language including basic concepts and features of C++ programming, C++ standard template library, inheritance, function overriding and exceptions.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
Explain the basic concepts and features of C++.
Compile and execute C++ programs under both Windows and Linux.
Describe the underlying memory model and explain the role of the execution stack and the heap.
Write C++ programs that incorporate standard control structures, reference variables, pointers, parameterised functions, overloaded functions, and arrays.
Design and construct object oriented programs in C++ that incorporate inheritance, function overriding, operator overloading, destructors and copy constructors.
Make effective use of the C++ Standard Template Library.
Outline Syllabus
Overview paradigms: procedural + object-oriented vs purely object-oriented program translation and execution: compilation vs compilation + interpretation pointers, references and reference types
C++ functions: call by value and call by reference
class definition: header files and interfaces
C++ objects
memory management: explicit destructors vs garbage collection
the C++ Standard Template Library
Compiling C++ programs
file structure of a C++ module: .cpp files
the pre-processor
making multi-module programs
A model of memory
static and dynamic memory
the execution stack: existence of local variables, parameter passing
the heap: dynamic memory allocation
memory management in C++
C++ language features
pointers: declaring and using pointer variables, the operator *
references: declaring and using reference variables, the operator &
functions: call by value and call by reference, reference parameters, pointer parameters, function overloading
arrays: array identifiers, static and dynamic arrays, arrays as parameters, arrays as results
exceptions
Classes and objects in C++
class definition: private and public members
inheritance
function overriding (polymorphism)
operator overloading
constructors, destructors, copy constructors and the assignment operator
The Standard Template Library
CE222-5-SP Operating Systems
Module Outline
The aim of this course is to provide students with a solid background in the principles that underlie the design and function of modern operating systems with reference to some currently available operating systems and middleware. Various aspects of operating system design and functionality will be introduced. Issues relating to performance, avoidance of deadlock, security issues and basic processing of transactions will be covered. Some elementary programming and other practical activities involving operating system related concepts will be explored in the laboratory sessions. By the end of this module, students will have an understanding of factors that need to be considered in selecting, deploying, configuring, optimising and securing an operating system and associated middleware.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the major components of an operating system, scheduling, memory management, file systems and input/output.
Explain and illustrate issues concerning processes and scheduling in the context of operating systems.
Demonstrate and apply an understanding of interprocess communication, and the problems of deadlock and livelock.
Compare aspects of operating systems and their facilities.
Outline Syllabus
Introduction; threads and processes
Scheduling and mutual exclusion
Synchronisation patterns and pathologies
Mechanisms for atomicity and durability; transactions
Virtual memory: uses, mechanisms and policies
Process management and protection
Metadata, directories and indexes
Metadata integrity, networking and socket APIs
Messaging and remote method invocation
Security issues
For more information please visit the University of Essex Computing & Electronic Systems department web site here
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