Unit Outline

This unit introduces students to the design, development, and programming of digital and embedded systems, focusing on their applications in control, monitoring, and automation. Students will gain hands-on experience in microcontroller programming and digital circuit design through the application of Boolean logic and number systems. Key topics include sensor-actuator interfacing, signal conditioning techniques, reliable data acquisition and the dynamic behaviour of a digital circuit.

With a focus on real-world applications, students will explore how embedded systems contribute to complex electrical systems such as smart grids, renewable energy systems, and industrial automation. Through a combination of practical lab work, problem-solving assignments, and system design projects, students will develop the skills to select, program, and integrate microcontrollers into digital systems. Students will also learn to assess the environmental impacts associated with the development, use and disposal of a digital system.

This unit builds on Electrical Engineering Foundations by introducing the digital/analogue interface and digital electronic components. The unit also introduces skills required for future work with digital and embedded systems including Control Systems, Data Acquisition and Communication Systems, and Applications in Electrical Engineering where students will learn to develop larger and more complex digital and embedded systems.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Develop software for embedded digital systems with applications in control and monitoring.
2	Apply Boolean logic methods and number systems to the design and optimisation of digital circuits and algorithms.
3	Design digital systems that interface with sensors and actuators.
4	Implement signal conditioning techniques to ensure reliable data acquisition.
5	Evaluate the environmental impact of an embedded system.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	ENG108 Electrical Engineering Fundamentals and ENG109 Engineering Toolbox

Alterations as a result of student feedback

N/A

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Assignment	Week 12	30 %	LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Portfolio	Week 12	40 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Microcontroller Lab	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Assignment

Task Description:

Students will be given a problem statement and must select a microcontroller and components that are able to meet the given requirements of the problem.
Students will develop their understanding of microcontroller features through technical analysis and comparison of their features.

Background and decision justifications will be documented in a formal report.

This assignment will prepare students for future units where microcontrollers may be used to implement solutions to complex problems.

If a pass grade is not achieved for assessment criteria 3 or 4, then students will be required to resubmit and these criteria will be reassessed in order to pass ILO 5.

GenAI use is not permitted.

Task Length:

4 Pages

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select microcontrollers and electronic components to meet requirements.	LO3
2	Explain microcontroller features such as I/O, timers, PWM, serial communication, interrupts, ADC, and DAC.	LO3
3	Classify the environmental impact of the components of an embedded system across its lifecycle.	LO5
4	Prioritise the optimisation of components of an embedded system according to quantifiable improvements to their environmental impact.	LO5

Assessment Task 2: Portfolio

Task Description:

The portfolio will be developed during weekly tutorials and assessed periodically during semester.
Students will solve problems relating to digital and analogue circuits, boolean logic, number systems and microcontroller programming.
Completed tasks will form a collection of techniques and example solutions that may be applied to solutions in the labs and exam as well as in future electrical units.

Solutions will be due in week 6 and week 12.

GenAI use is permitted (with acknowledgement)

Task Length:

10 Pages

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Design of digital circuits through the application of Boolean algebra, truth tables, and Karnaugh maps.	LO2
2	Design simple combinational circuits to meet specified requirements.	LO2
3	Design simple sequential circuits to meet specified requirements.	LO2
4	Convert between binary, hexadecimal, and other number systems used in digital electronics.	LO2
5	Utilise number systems in the design and operation of digital circuits and microcontrollers.	LO2
6	Design basic combinational circuits using digital components such as flip-flops, counters, and memory elements.	LO3
7	Design digital systems that use tri-state, open-collector or open-drain components.	LO3
8	Calculate the resolution of an analogue to digital conversion.	LO4
9	Design debouncing circuits to accurately receive digital inputs.	LO4
10	Select passive components to limit current from digital outputs.	LO4
11	Analyse the dynamic behaviour of a digital circuit.	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Microcontroller Lab

Task Description:

Students will design, build and evaluate a simple microcontroller circuit including digital and analogue inputs and outputs.
Students will apply top-down design principles to develop circuits and microcontroller programs for data acquisition and processing.
Designs developed for the lab will build upon those collected through the portfolio task and prepare students for more complex microcontroller systems to be developed in future units.

Students will be individually assessed through their design submission including explanation and justification of design choices. Students will also be assessed according to in-lab performance and submission of a post-lab peer review.

There are 2 submission dates. Week 8 and week 11.

GenAI use is permitted (with acknowledgement)

Task Length:

12 hours

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Implement top-down program design and control hierarchies for digital systems.	LO1
2	Write a microcontroller program to meet logical requirements.	LO1
3	Write a microcontroller program to interact with the physical world with reference to datasheets.	LO1
4	Design basic combinational circuits using digital components such as flip-flops, counters, and memory elements.	LO3
5	Interface with sensors to read environmental data accurately.	LO3
6	Control actuators based on sensor data for applications in smart grids and renewable energy management.	LO3
7	Calculate the resolution of an analogue to digital conversion.	LO4
8	Design debouncing circuits to accurately receive digital inputs.	LO4
9	Select passive components to limit current from digital outputs.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Attainment of ILO 1 requires an achievement of at least 50% on the laboratory task.
Attainment of ILO 2 requires a cumulative achievement of at least 50% on relevant portfolio questions.
Attainment of ILO 3 requires a cumulative achievement of at least 35% on both the assignment and laboratory tasks.
Attainment of ILO 4 requires an achievement of at least 50% on the laboratory task.
Attainment of ILO 5 requires an achievement of at least 35% on the assignment.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.