Course Project Description for Embedded Controller Hardware Design    

Course # ECE 40001  Ken Arnold                                        rev 7/24/05 KA

PROJECT OVERVIEW

In general, the project consists of a microprocessor or microcontroller with external memory and I/O.  The choice of the processor is up to the student, but it must be a part from the same family of CPUs used as an example in the course (an 8051 derivative with external memory and I/O).  The processor chosen should be consistent with the resources you have available to you.  While there is no minimum time requirement, a typical project will probably take somewhere between 50 and 60 hours to complete.  The time you will need depends on your skill level and the complexity of the project you choose.  Please recognize that this project will be a design for the core part of a micro, but will not include any useful I/O.  The processor design includes only the core elements: CPU, program memory, data memory, and some memory mapped I/O (I/O that appears in the 8051’s external data memory address space).  If you are interested in designing your project for expansion to a practical application, you may want to define the design of the overall system, and just implement the core elements for this project.  Please be aware that only the core part of the design will be graded, and any time spent on additional tasks will not affect or improve your grade.  The block diagram in figures 6-1 and 7-7 of the Embedded Controller Design text are representative of what you will design.  In this project, emphasis is placed on worst case design and analysis of the hardware. 

**>>You should select and obtain chip specifications ASAP.<<**

The project is submitted in three phases:

10 pts.              1) Proposal      due Week 4

100 pts.            2) Draft            due Week 7

100 pts.            3) Final Report due on the last class meeting

 

The project accounts for just over half of the total possible course grade (210/410 total). 

The design must include, as a minimum:

            8 bit 8051 family microprocessor or microcontroller with external bus

            EPROM memory or equivalent for non-volatile program storage

            Static RAM memory for data storage

            Memory mapped Input port (e.g. read DIP switch inputs)

            Memory mapped Output port (e.g. illuminate some LEDs)

            Control/address decode logic designs in two versions:

                        1) Discrete gates and decoders

                        2) Programmable Logic Device (PLD) implementation

 

The processor you choose MUST be configured to fetch and execute programs and data from memory EXTERNAL to the CPU chip, and must include memory mapped I/O.  Otherwise, you could turn in a single chip design, which wouldn't be much of a challenge!

 

The design can, and probably should change as you progress, and your reports should reflect this.

 

Each submission builds upon the previous one: Proposal, Draft and Final Reports.

1) Proposal

The Proposal phase is intended to define WHAT you will be doing for your project, what resources you can to commit to it, and how many hours you are planning to spend to complete it.  You should state what processor you plan to use.  A block diagram should be included if you have a specific application in mind.  The purpose of the time estimate is to allow me to evaluate your estimate and the project complexity in view of your experience and resources so that I can advise you about the scope of your project. 

Proposal contents:

            Description

            List available resources, equipment, and your experience

            Time estimated to complete, in hours

2) Draft Report

The Draft is intended to describe HOW your design will be implemented.  It should contain ALL information submitted in the proposal, updated as needed.  The Draft should define your initial design with a block diagram or preliminary schematic to the chip level (does not need pin numbers, etc., just functional data), preliminary loading and timing analyses, and a project status update.  Additional information on the CPU and other components to be used in the design should be included in the draft.  The control logic should be designed two ways: using discrete logic decoders or gates, and using programmable logic device(s).  The hardware can be implemented in either way if you build the project.

Draft contents:

            Proposal material above, updated as required

            Detailed Block Diagram

            Preliminary schematic

            Preliminary memory map

            Key timing diagrams

            Samples of the loading, timing, and noise margin analysis

            Hours estimated vs. actual hours spent to date

3) Final Report

The Final report is intended to PROVE that your design is correct, and document it in detail sufficient to fabricate the hardware.  It should contain ALL information submitted in the proposal and draft phases, updated as necessary.  The final schematics should show all connections, accompanied by a bill of materials specifying complete part numbers of ICs.  The design should be documented in sufficient detail that a technician could build it given only the report data. 

Final Report contents:

            ALL Proposal and Draft material above, updated and completed as required

            Final schematics with pin outs

            Bill of Materials

            Additional design of control and decode logic using PLDs          (Programmable Logic Devices)

            Timing diagrams as required to support timing analysis

            Detailed Analyses:

1)      Loading (DC & AC)

2)      Noise margin

3)      Timing analysis computations

            Hours estimated vs. actual hours spent to date

            What problems you had or what you would do differently next time