EEC 417 / 517 - Embedded Systems

Spring 2012

Cleveland State University

The reason that most people don't know a lot about embedded systems is implied in the name "embedded," which means "buried" or "incorporated as an essential part." An embedded system is anything that is controlled by a microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), field- programmable gate array (FPGA), or other special-purpose computing device. Some common examples include thermostats, alarm systems, cell phones, answering machines, robots, and toys. Any electronic system that does anything beyond the merely trivial is probably an embedded system that has a special purpose computer as its "brain." This course teaches the student how to program an embedded system. The following are links for the course:

• Syllabus

• Assignments

• Project Guidelines

• Parts

• Microchip Documents

The emphasis in this course is on software development, although we must interface with hardware in order to do anything useful. There are dozens of microcontrollers and DSPs that could be used to teach an embedded systems course. We have chosen to use one of Microchip's microcontrollers because of the convenient development tools that they have available, and because of their widespread use in the embedded systems industry. 

This course uses Microchip's PIC16F877 microcontroller. The data sheet for the PIC16F877 can be downloaded from the Microchip Documents link above or Microchip's web site. The data sheet can be found at the Microchip web site by searching for "PIC16F877 Data Sheet." The data sheet for this part number is combined in a single document with three other part numbers, so the data sheet is titled "PIC16F87X Data Sheet."  

Many companies and individuals use Microchip's PIC for embedded systems development. As such, there are a lot of good web sites available that are full of useful information and sample projects. The following free e-books are available for download:

• Embedded Systems Programming with the PIC16F877, by former CSU student Tim Green

• Coin-Cell-Powered Embedded Design, by John Peatman

Microchip PIC Web Sites

• Microchip Incorporated
• The PICList
• Eric's PIC Page
• The Guru's PIC Page
• Embedded Design with the PIC18F42 Microcontroller
• to-PIC's Web Site
• Rho Enterprises
• PICALL
   

Embedded Systems Web Sites

• The Microcontroller Primer FAQ
• The eg3.com Embedded Systems Page
• Fast Forward Engineering's Embedded Systems Page
• Embedded.com
• The Ganssle Group
• Transtronics
• Embedded Systems Internet Resources
• Circuit Cellar Magazine
• Everyday Practical Electronics
• Embedded System Design (text book)
• RFID toys (book)
   

Embedded Systems Electronics Distributors

• Digikey
• Electronics123
• Custom Computer Services
• Knight Electronics
• Dontronics
• JDR Computer Products
• Jameco Electronics
• MPJA Online
• microEngineering Labs
• Radio Shack
• Newark Electronics
• Future Electronics
• Avnet
• Arrow Electronics
• Electronic Surplus (Mentor, Ohio)
• American Electronic Resource
• SchmartBoard
• Olimex Ltd.
• Sparkfun Electronics
• Kee Electronics
   

How to Find Electronics Parts

• Bill Beaty's Electronics Resources
• FindChips.com
• AmericaII.com