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568 ratings

Alex Fosdick

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Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments

University of Colorado Boulder

About this Course

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Welcome to the Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments. This course is focused on giving you real world coding experience and hands on project work with ARM based Microcontrollers. You will learn how to implement software configuration management and develop embedded software applications. Course assignments include creating a build system using the GNU Toolchain GCC, using Git version control, and developing software in Linux on a Virtual Machine. The course concludes with a project where you will create your own build system and firmware that can manipulate memory.
The second course in this 2 course series , Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture,  will use hardware tools to program and debug microcontrollers with bare-metal firmware. Using a Texas Instruments MSP432 Development Kit, you will configure a variety of peripherals, write numerous programs, and see your work execute on your own embedded platform!

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Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Intermediate Level

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

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Skills you will gain

Makefile
C Programming
Embedded C

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. 9 hours to complete

English

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

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.66/5 (115 Ratings)

Alex Fosdick

Instructor

Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering

114,926 Learners

2 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating94%(3,842 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Embedded System Development Components

Module 1 will introduce the learner to the components of your embedded system software development process. This module will be a quick overview for many topics with detailed analysis to follow in later modules and courses. We start with defining the hardware and software building blocks of Embedded Systems which will include a C-programming refresher. Next you will learn about the important tools a developer will need to use to help design, build and manage their designs. This includes development environments, version control and the hardware kits to install on. Learners will install and use a Virtual machine to complete Week 1 Application Assignment.

3 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 77 min)

10 videos

0. Introduction to the Course3m1. Introduction to the Module3m2. Introduction to Embedded Systems5m3. Embedded Software Engineering8m4. C-Programming Review11m5. Introduction to Software Configuration Management5m6. C Standardization and Team Coding Standards8m7. Development Environments Overview8m8. Development Kits and Documentation10m9. Version Control12m

1 practice exercise

Week 1 Quiz30m

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Compilation with GCC and GNU Make

Module 2 will introduce the learner to the software development build system. Most software engineers are very knowledgeable about their build system as we need them to translate our high-level software languages to our architecture specific implementations. There are some important platform and architecture concepts that are introduced in the build system to help enforce good software design techniques. Learners will create their own build systems and utilize build tools to analyze their embedded software implementations.

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 81 min)

Week3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Memory Types, Segments and Management

Module 3 will begin to introduce important embedded concepts like the memory systems in their design. Learners will understand how the software to hardware mapping occurs for their designs including differentiating between your program code and your program data. Memory systems have many platform and architecture dependencies, and you will begin to learn about some of the fundamental concepts a software engineer needs to know to utilize all parts of an embedded system’s memory.

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 64 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

Week4

Week 4

1 hour to complete

Course 1 Final Assessment

During this week you are to going to combine what you have learned in modules 1-3 to write some memory manipulation software, incorporate into your build system and then run some test functions. At the end of the assignment you will perform a detailed code review of other learners’ software. Reviewing other learners code is very important for both your growth of software design but also for the coder to gain valuable feedback. Professional software engineering regularly go through software reviews when developing code.

1 hour to complete

Reviews

4.5

165 reviews

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4.37%
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1 star
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TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO EMBEDDED SYSTEMS SOFTWARE AND DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTS

by AASep 21, 2017

The instructor is good, explains clearly and simply and looks friendly.

The subtitles in Lecture 4 from lesson 1 is not correct at all.

So far so good.

Thanks Coursera !

by VRDec 30, 2020

Great Course by Professor Alex. You will definitely learn the basics of Embedded Systems through this course. His explanations are crystal clear. Worth the time.

by RVMay 30, 2019

Excellent course. Refreshed all my concepts of Embedded System programming after a long time. Very good introductory course for Campus freshmen who needs to start working on System SW Development.

by HHJan 5, 2020

I have done a few computer science courses already and some of them were related to embedded systems. This is one of the best so far.

Higher level than a introductory course.

Highly advisable.

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.
Can I use a different, but similar development board in this specialization?
The specialization supports assignments and grading only on the MSP432 development board. The course material can translate to other development kits and students are welcome to take this course with their own embedded system, but grading will only be supported and graded with only the MSP432.
And just a reminder that the first course of the specialization doesn’t require you to order any hardware. You will need to obtain the following microcontroller development kit to use for project work in later courses of the specialization: Texas Instruments Launchpad - MSP432p401r. This evaluation kit is available for about $13 US dollars. More information about ordering the kit will be provided in the course.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments

Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments

About this Course

Skills you will gain