Microcontrollers BCS402

Module 1 Overview

ARM Embedded Systems: The RISC design philosophy, The ARM Design Philosophy, Embedded System Hardware, Embedded System Software.

ARM Processor Fundamentals: Registers, Current Program Status Register, Pipeline, Exceptions, Interrupts, and the Vector Table, Core Extensions

Textbook 1: Chapter 1 - 1.1 to 1.4, Chapter 2 - 2.1 to 2.5

RBT: L1, L2, L3

Module 2 Overview

Introduction to the ARM Instruction Set: Data Processing Instructions, Branch Instructions, Software Interrupt Instructions, Program Status Register Instructions, Coprocessor Instructions, Loading Constants.

Textbook 1: Chapter 3 - 3.1 to 3.6

RBT: L1, L2, L3

Module 3 Overview

C Compilers and Optimization: Basic C Data Types, C Looping Structures, Register Allocation, Function Calls, Pointer Aliasing, Portability Issues.

Textbook 1: Chapter 5.1 to 5.7 and 5.13

RBT: L1, L2, L3

Module 4 Overview

Exception and Interrupt Handling: Exception handling, ARM processor exceptions and modes, vector table, exception priorities, link register offsets, interrupts, assigning interrupts, interrupt latency, IRQ and FIQ exceptions, basic interrupt stack design and implementation.

Firmware: Firmware and bootloader, ARM firmware suite, Red Hat redboot, Example: sandstone, sandstone directory layout, sandstone code structure.

Textbook 1: Chapter 9.1 and 9.2, Chapter 10

RBT: L1, L2, L3

Module 5 Overview

CACHES: The Memory Hierarchy and Cache Memory, Caches and Memory Management Units: CACHE Architecture: Basic Architecture of a Cache Memory, Basic Operation of a Cache Controller, The Relationship between Cache and Main Memory, Set Associativity, Write Buffers, Measuring Cache Efficiency, CACHE POLICY: Write Policy - Writeback or Writethrough, Cache Line Replacement Policies, Allocation Policy on a Cache Miss. Coprocessor 15 and caches.

Textbook 1: Chapter 12.1 to 12.4

RBT: L1, L2, L3