Laboratory testbeds
Most courses in embedded systems start by learning how to write a simple program, download it to a board and flash an LED. These courses often then consider more realistic techniques for developing and debugging embedded applications.
This is a good starting point but — in the real world — embedded systems are used to monitor and control a wide range of applications, in homes, factories, vehicles and hospitals. We find that many of the most effective embedded courses employ appropriate test environments, ensuring that students are exposed to a wide range of realistic development challenges as they work in this area.
Use of RapidiTTy™ Simulation can provide an excellent starting point for teaching and training in this area (and for real-world product development). RapidiTTy™ Simulation provides simulated environments (based on a desktop PC) which range from simple interface components (for example switches with variable “bounce” behaviour, keypads and LCD displays) through to simple training systems (such as traffic lights) and complete test environments (such as a hotel elevator system, cruise-control system for a passenger car, ECG monitoring system and process-control system from a factory).
At TTE Systems Ltd, we have also developed a number of detailed code examples and demonstration systems which can be used to support the teaching of embedded systems using hardware testbeds. The examples are designed to work with cost-effective, off-the-shelf training equipment (equipment which many universities and colleges already own).
For example, using suitable test equipment and RapidiTTy™ tools, students can learn how to program distributed embedded control systems. Training can include creating software implementations of different control algorithms (on-off control, PID control, LQR control, fuzzy control, H-infinity, etc). These examples can be run on a single processor board (ARM7, ARM9, Cortex M3 or FPGA-based “soft” processor core), or as a distributed system across two or more processor boards, linked using (for example) CAN, RS-485, RS-232 or Ethernet.
Many different training options are available. For further information, please contact us.
Videos showing laboratory testbeds
Video clips showing lab equipment under control of ARM7-based microcontrollers:
- British Satellite News interview (21 Feb 2008), including views of some of our testbeds.
- A simple video clip showing a single ARM7-based microcontroller used to control an elevator system (large file).
- A simple video clip showing one possible implementation of a process-control system, based on a network of ARM7-based microcontrollers connected using a dual CAN bus arrangement.
- A simple video clip showing a single ARM7-based microcontroller used to control an inverted pendulum (LQR control algorithm).
In each case, the code used to control the systems was created using RapidiTTy™ Builder.
