Dec09-11Embedded Systems

Design Though Curriculum

Jacqueline BannisterLuke HarveyJacob Holen

Jordan Petersen

Problem Statement

The Department of Computer Engineering has found that underclassman students are struggling to see the connection between concepts learned within the curriculum and real world applications. Additionally the curriculum of each course tends to be compartmentalized, therefore not providing a birds eye view of the entire field. This Computer Engineering field encompasses the areas of embedded systems, computer architecture and software systems.

Additional Issues:• Little student involvement in clubs related to the program• Students quickly lose interest in the program because of the

difficulty of the curriculum and lack of encountering real world applications or design experiences

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Need Statement

Design an inquiry-based learning module that focuses on the use of course curriculum in the area of embedded systems for the Computer Engineering department. As outlined in the ADEPT proposal this program should:• Motivate students to learn new material• Provide alternate learning methodologies to address

different learning styles• Increase the design experience in the computer

engineering program• Motivate students to create a community of learners

focused around problem solving

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System Design - Requirements• Projects must effectively integrate knowledge expected of students

for that given year

• The courses will define checkpoints and milestones for students while still allowing for a design experience

• The proposed modules must engage student interest

• Should accommodate for various levels of skill sets and learning styles

• Should demonstrate area of embedded systems using robotics application

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Concept Sketch - ADEPT

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Concept Sketch

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• Knowledge learned during the Freshman and Sophomore years is used as input to the First Term course (CprE 286X)

• Knowledge learned from the Junior, Sophomore and Freshmen years as well as the CprE 286X course is used as input to the second term course (CprE 386X)

Platform Approaches

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Autonomous Vehicle Build your own robot Cell phone MP3/Video Player Lego Mindstorm Robotic Competitions

Wii-Motes Wireless Sensor Networks Etching System Autonomous Sentry Gun

Robotic Arm

IR Tracker

Market Survey

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Concept 488 Scores 388 ScoresAutonomous Golf Cart 113 2IR TrackerMiniature Robotic Arm 23 23

Sentry Gun 3 2Build Your Own Robot 11223 11MP3/Video Player 12233 13Robotics Control Competition 122 3

Open Source Cell Phone 111223 FPGA NES or Gaming System 1Laser Drawing System 2 Wii Mote Racing Simulator 3

-Gave survey to computer engineering students currently taking embedded systems courses (Cpre 388 and Cpre 488)

-Asked them to “Please pick three projects below that you find the most interesting and exciting. Rank 1-3, with 1 being the most interested.”

-A more detailed description of the projects was given on the survey form.

Results from Market Survey

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Based on the results from market survey as well as input from the design through curriculum team members and their advisors the team decided to pursue a robotics platform.

Winner:• Build your own robot:

Robotics platform

Runner Up:• Handheld electronics device: Open

source cell phone and MP3 player

Pros ConsEasier to incorporate more curriculum topics

May prove to be too challenging

Hands on experience with building a robot from the ground up, something students do not currently get

Many other embedded systems courses already use a robotics platform

Easier to obtain hardware donations

May be more expensive

Pros ConsMore interesting idea Harder to obtain necessary

hardware

Students may have had something to bring home at the end of the semester

Harder to incorporate topics learned from the CprE curriculum, which is a fundamental requirement from the ADEPT proposal

Idea unique to the CprE department

Involves a lot more risks

Course Breakdown

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• Small rectangles denote names for each module

• Ovals denote curriculum topics covered by each module

System Design – Sophomore Class (286X)

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Dry-Erase Bot Competition

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• Goal: Autonomously color more squares than opponent in time limit• Requirements & Restrictions:

– Avoid obstacles, boundary and enemy robot

– Robot design will be each team’s choice using given supplies

– Limited battery supply, forcing efficient design implementation

– Robots start outside course, therefore must locate entrance to course

System Design – Junior Class (386X)

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D-Bomb Robot Competition

• Goal: Autonomously find and disarm a single “Bomb” object in a room filled with various obstacles

• Requirements:– Multiple “dummy bombs” in room, must deactivate only the armed bomb– Bomb must be deactivated in under a certain amount of time– Avoid obstacles and boundaries, layout of room is not known– Must return to starting location after bomb is deactivated

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Class Outline

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Introduction to competitionStudents given tutorials for all components

Students loaned a box of componentsProject milestones every 3-4 weeks

Final reportCompetition

Semester Begins Midterm Dead week(Demo)

Semester Ends

Platform

• NI Compact Rio 9073

– Up to 8 modules– Onboard FPGA– Heavy Duty– Expensive

• NI Single Board Compact Rio– Up to 4 modules– Onboard FPGA– Not so heavy duty– Cheaper

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Software/Hardware

• NI LabVIEW– Real-time– FPGA– Embedded

• Libraries

• NI Smart Camera– Image Recognition

• Servos/Linear Actuators• IR Sensor• Sonar• Light Sensor• Chassis (body, wheels, etc)• Breadboard/Electronics

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Cost of Components

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Peripherals Item Part Number Price Quantity Total Stepper M-200-ROB-

08420 $15 2 $30

Servo HS-422 $17 2 $34 DC Motor GHM-01 $22 4 $88 IR Sensor GP2D120 $13 2 $26 Black/White Sensor

S-10-SLF $22 1 $22

Accelerometer S-300-28017 $9 3 $27 Bump Sensors (2)

FRS-V-276-2159

$13 2 $26

Sonar Sensor S-10-EZ4 $30 2 $60 Linear Actuator/Solenoid

SMT-3257S12STD

$30 1 $30

Compass S-65-29123 $30 1 $30 $373

Robotics Kit Name Part

Number Price Quantity Total

Compact RIO NI-9073 $1,500 1 $1,500 Analog Input Module

NI-9205 $700 2 $1,400

Analog Output Module

NI-9263 $380 2 $760

Digital I/O Module

NI-9043 $340 1 $340

Full H-Bridge Brushed DC Servo Drive Module

NI-9505 $440 2 $880

Bluetooth Serial Adapter

IOGEAR-GBS301

$100 1 $100

24V Battery with Charger

CHUN-2420C-4.2Ah

$130 1 $130

$5,110

Chassis Kit Item Part Number Price Quantity Total VEX Booster Kit 276-2232 $180 4 $120 VEX Robotics Wheel Kit

276-2164 $30 1 $30

$150

Total Cost for CourseItem Quantity TotalRobotics Kit 5 $25,550Chassis Kit 19 $7,087Peripherals 19 $2,850

$35,487

Based on a total of 75 students enrolled in the courseand a maximum of 24 students per lab section

Schedule for CprE 492

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Success Metrics (Test Plan)

• Execute course material• Implement each component• Prototype robot• Assure robots can perform required tasks• Evaluate experimental courses (Cpre 286X, Cpre 386X)

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