4.5
stars
425 ratings

Alex Fosdick

36,194 already enrolled

Offered By

Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture

University of Colorado Boulder

About this Course

21,903 recent views

Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture is a first dive into understanding embedded architectures and writing software to manipulate this hardware. You will gain experience writing low-level firmware to directly interface hardware with highly efficient, readable and portable design practices. We will now transition from the Host Linux Machine where we built and ran code in a simulated environment to an Integrated Development Environment where you will build and install code directly on your ARM Cortex-M4 Microcontroller. Course assignments include writing firmware to interact and configure both the underlying ARM architecture and the MSP432 microcontroller platform. The course concludes with a project where you will develop a circular buffer data structure. 
In this course you will need the Texas Instruments LaunchPad with the MSP432 microcontroller in order to complete the assignments. Later courses of the Specialization will continue to use this hardware tool to develop even more exciting firmware.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Intermediate Level

Approx. 4 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Intermediate Level

Approx. 4 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.63/5 (132 Ratings)

Alex Fosdick

Instructor

Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering

114,355 Learners

2 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Interfacing C-Programs with ARM Core Microcontrollers

Module 1 will introduce the learner to how software/firmware can interface with an embedded platform and the underlying processor architecture. Embedded Software engineers must be very knowledgeable about the architecture in order to write efficient and bug free code. This requires knowledge of processor architecture. memory systems, microcontroller peripherals and more advanced use of the compiler. This module will continue to enforce good software design techniques with a focus on portability and maintainability without reducing your hardware’s performance.

2 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 69 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week2

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Manipulating Memory

Module 2 will introduce the learner to more advanced firmware techniques as well move us into some hands on firmware for the microcontroller. We start by building our own memory access methods that will allow a programmer to manipulate peripheral memory bit fields to configure microcontroller peripherals and core architecture concepts. This will include more complex use of pointers for register definition files and function pointers for interrupt vector tables The module concludes with an in-depth look into the features of on-target debugging on a microcontroller and a hands-on example.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 64 min)

Week3

Week 3

1 hour to complete

Designing Embedded Data Structures

Module 3 will introduce the learner to efficient and maintainable ways of organizing data. Most microcontroller programs require some use of structured data in order to track and manipulate the control flow or data in a program. These can be as simple as unions, enumerations or structures, but can be more complex with the use of abstract data structures. While abstract data structures are often discussed in higher level software, there are many simple examples that are used frequently in embedded system software.

1 hour to complete

8 videos (Total 57 min)

Reviews

4.5

97 reviews

5 stars
68.77%
4 stars
19.95%
3 stars
7.04%
2 stars
2.11%
1 star
2.11%

TOP REVIEWS FROM EMBEDDED SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE

by SAApr 19, 2020

Excellent course for the introduction of ARM Cortex Architecture. It gave me insight on Micro-controller inter routines.

by JNov 23, 2020

This was excellent. The instructor is very clear and easy to understand. The hardware was never needed though?

by KSAug 7, 2019

Excellent Course by Alex. The slides and the material is top notch. Looking forward to the other courses.

by APJun 28, 2019

All the videos are very helpful. All concepts are taught well. More hands on assignments could be added to course.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Build employee skills, drive business results

Discover Coursera for Business

Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture

Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture

About this Course