Standards in this Framework
Standard | Description |
---|---|
1.1.1 | Demonstrate effective communication skills in both technical and non-technical contexts (e.g., explaining code to peers, presenting project ideas to stakeholders). |
1.1.2 | Demonstrate integrity in embedded systems engineering practices (e.g., acknowledging code sources, respecting user privacy). |
1.1.3 | Demonstrate collaboration and teamwork skills through embedded systems engineering projects (e.g., pair programming, collaborative circuit design, group troubleshooting sessions). |
1.1.4 | Identify and develop traits important for success in embedded systems engineering (e.g., problem-solving, attention to detail, continuous learning). |
1.2.1 | Research various roles within the embedded systems engineering field (e.g., firmware developer, IoT specialist, robotics engineer). |
1.2.2 | Identify professional certifications relevant to different embedded systems engineering careers (e.g., CompTIA IoT+, PCEP). |
1.2.3 | Identify and evaluate routes to become an embedded systems engineer (e.g., university degree in engineering, vocational or technical college programs, industry certifications, and online courses, apprenticeships or internships in relevant industries). |
1.3.1 | Investigate the purpose and importance of a portfolio in career advancement. |
1.3.2 | Analyze examples of professional portfolios to identify key components (e.g., code samples, project demonstrations with videos or animations, schematics and PCB designs, technical write-ups of problem-solving processes). |
1.3.3 | Assess platforms and tools for creating and hosting portfolios (e.g., GitHub, LinkedIn, personal websites). |
1.3.4 | Select and organize personal projects and achievements for potential inclusion in a future portfolio. |
2.1.1 | Define embedded systems and distinguish them from general-purpose computing systems. |
2.1.2 | Analyze the key components of an embedded system (e.g., microcontroller, sensors, actuators, memory, power supply). |
2.1.3 | Discuss the differences between microcontrollers and microprocessors. |
2.1.4 | Explain the concept of real-time systems and their importance in embedded applications (e.g., automotive control systems, industrial automation). |
2.1.5 | Explain how embedded systems are utilized across various applications (e.g., smart home devices, wearable technology, automotive systems). |
2.2.1 | Describe the basic architecture of a microcontroller (e.g., CPU, memory, I/O ports). |
2.2.2 | Compare and contrast different types of microcontrollers and their suitable applications (e.g.,Programmable Logic Controller(PLC) for industrial applications, Microcontroller Unit (MCU) for prototyping). |
2.2.3 | Compare and contrast the performance and efficiency characteristics of microcontrollers (e.g., clock speed, power consumption, sleep modes). |
2.3.1 | Describe and analyze the fundamentals of Real-Time Operating Systems, including their design principles and applications in embedded systems (e.g., task management, priority-based scheduling, synchronization mechanisms, interrupt handling). |
2.3.2 | Compare RTOS to general-purpose operating systems (e.g., response times, task priority, resource management). |
3.1.1 | Classify different types of sensors and explain their operating principles (e.g., digital, analog). |
3.1.2 | Interface with sensors using communication protocols (e.g., I2C, WIFI, Bluetooth). |
3.1.3 | Gather and analyze data using sensors (e.g., temperature, light, HC-SRO4). |
3.1.4 | Compare and contrast different types of actuators (e.g., DC motors, servo motors, stepper motors). |
3.2.1 | Implement display interfaces to present information in embedded systems (e.g., LCD screens, OLED displays). |
3.2.2 | Program simple user interfaces using various input methods (e.g., buttons, rotary encoders, touch sensors). |
3.3.1 | Apply serial communication in embedded systems (e.g., UART, RS-232). |
3.3.2 | Use serial communication protocols for inter-device communication (e.g., I2C for sensor networks, SPI for high-speed data transfer). |
3.3.3 | Implement wireless communication technologies in physical computing projects (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, LoRa). |
4.1.1 | Implement embedded-specific data types and operations (e.g., fixed-point arithmetic, bitwise operations, atomic operations). |
4.1.2 | Utilize memory-efficient data structures and algorithms optimized for limited resources (e.g., static memory allocation, circular buffers, lookup tables). |
4.1.3 | Develop state machines for managing complex system behaviors and transitions. |
4.1.4 | Apply software design patterns appropriate for embedded systems (e.g., singleton, observer, command patterns). |
4.2.1 | Control digital input/output pins and interface with various components (e.g., LEDs, buttons, relays). |
4.2.2 | Configure analog-to-digital conversion for sensor data collection (e.g., temperature sensors, light sensors, voltage dividers). |
4.2.3 | Control components using pulse-width modulation (PWM) (e.g., motor speed control, LED dimming). |
4.2.4 | Develop hardware abstraction layers for interfacing with microcontroller peripherals (e.g., GPIO control, sensor interfaces, communication protocols). |
4.3.1 | Describe the concept and importance of interrupts in embedded systems. |
4.3.2 | Write interrupt service routines (ISRs) to handle hardware events (e.g., button press, timer overflow). |
4.3.3 | Develop programs using timer interrupts for periodic task execution (e.g., sensor sampling, watchdog timers). |
4.3.4 | Apply event-based programming techniques for real-time responsiveness. |
4.4.1 | Utilize embedded-specific debugging tools and techniques (e.g., in-circuit debuggers, logic analyzers). |
4.4.2 | Apply systematic approaches to identify and resolve hardware and software issues (e.g., divide-and-conquer, hypothesis testing). |
4.4.3 | Use logging and tracing techniques for embedded applications (e.g., UART debugging, debug LEDs). |
5.1.1 | Apply basic electrical laws and principles (e.g., Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Laws). |
5.1.2 | Implement electrical circuits in embedded systems (e.g., voltage dividers, pull-up/pull-down resistors). |
5.1.3 | Conduct electrical testing and troubleshooting (e.g., using multimeters, oscilloscopes). |
5.2.1 | Calculate power consumption in embedded systems (e.g., battery life estimation, power budgeting). |
5.2.2 | Implement sleep modes and wake-up strategies to conserve power (e.g., using watchdog timers, interrupt-driven wake-up). |
5.2.3 | Design power-efficient embedded systems for long-term deployment (e.g., energy harvesting techniques, low-power peripherals). |
5.3.1 | Apply mechanical principles to sensor selection and placement (e.g., vibration isolation, mounting considerations, sensor alignment). |
5.3.2 | Implement actuator control systems (e.g., servo motors, stepper motors, pneumatic actuators). |
5.3.3 | Design and troubleshoot electromechanical interfaces (e.g., gear ratios, mechanical feedback, position sensing). |
5.4.1 | Create comprehensive documentation for embedded systems projects (e.g., schematics, pin mappings, code comments). |
5.4.2 | Implement version control practices for managing code and project files (e.g., using Git, creating meaningful commit messages). |
5.5.1 | Adhere to electrical safety standards and regulations (e.g., proper grounding, overcurrent protection). |
5.5.2 | Adhere to mechanical safety standards and regulations (e.g., pinch points, safety glasses). |
6.1.1 | Develop unit tests and system-level testing for embedded systems (e.g., automated test scripts, hardware-in-the-loop testing). |
6.1.2 | Implement basic security measures in embedded systems (e.g., access control and authentication, encrypted communication). |
6.1.3 | Discuss techniques for securely updating firmware in deployed systems (e.g., over-the-air updates, bootloader design). |
6.2.1 | Investigate the implementation of basic machine learning algorithms on microcontrollers (e.g., simple classification, anomaly detection). |
6.2.2 | Explain the principles of edge computing and its applications in embedded systems (e.g., local data processing in IoT devices). |
6.2.3 | Identify integrated embedded systems (e.g., wearable health monitors, smart agriculture) in emerging fields and technologies. |
6.3.1 | Discuss ethical considerations related to data collection, privacy, and security in IoT and embedded systems (e.g., consent for data collection, responsible data usage, AI data misinformation). |
6.3.2 | Assess the environmental impact of embedded systems and sustainable design practices (e.g., e-waste reduction, energy-efficient design). |
6.3.3 | Investigate the role of embedded systems in environmental monitoring and conservation efforts (e.g., wildlife tracking, air quality monitoring). |