Course description
This award concentrates on the commercially important and rapidly expanding area of embedded digital systems for communication and control. Modern electronic companies need engineers who can
respond quickly to changes in technology and who have knowledge of modern electronic design, manufacturing and testing methods. Embedded systems are at the heart of many engineering devices and you will investigate how embedded systems are designed and implemented in both hardware and software.
This course will enable you to critically understand and apply circuit and system simulation techniques, with an emphasis on products that
incorporate embedded technology. You will also learn to systematically understand the design of embedded systems, including microcontroller
architectures and real-time embedded hardware operating systems.
It is an ideal course if you are a graduate and plan a career in embedded systems engineering, or if you work in the engineering industry and wish
to develop your knowledge and skills. The course incorporates an 18-week project that may be conducted in industry if you are studying full-time and this could lead to job opportunities on completion of the course. You will also have the opportunity to complete industrial case studies and be involved in ‘live’ mini-projects. If you are a part-time student working in the electronics industry, you may be able to relate your major project to an aspect of your company’s work.
Course Content
Modules include:
* Electronics Systems Design
* Product Management and Integrating Case Studies
* Embedded System Design
* Embedded Hardware Operating Systems
* Major Project
* Digital System Design using VHDL
* ASIC Technology and Systems Testing
How To Study
There are six taught modules and an 18-week major project. Each module comprises 48 hours of formal lectures and the equivalent time in self-directed
laboratories. If you are studying part-time you will study three modules per year. You will learn to use the latest computer-aided engineering tools and
techniques for the design, manufacture and testing of electronic products.
Career prospects
Many industries need specialists in this area. Your skills and knowledge would be highly sought-after by employers who value your logical, technical and methodical skills. Careers are available in industrial and technology sectors such as embedded systems hardware or software development, telecommunications implementations, instrumentation,
general real-time device applications and signal processing development.
