Interdisciplinary Embedded Systems Design: Integrating Hardware-Oriented Embedded Systems Design with Software-Oriented Embedded Systems Development

Abstract

Abstract Interdisciplinary Embedded Systems Design: Integrating Hardware-Oriented Embedded Systems Design with Software-Oriented Embedded Systems Development The rapid proliferation of embedded systems designs has opened opportunities for both computer engineers and computer scientists in recent time, and promises to do so in the foreseeable future. With the advances in this field, however, the need for a more multi-disciplinary approach to embedded systems education has arisen, as modern embedded systems design relies heavily on the integration of both hardware and software design. Due to the diverse backgrounds that are becoming not only recommended, but also required, providing students with an educational experience of the holistic design of a modern embedded systems is becoming a bigger challenge. Both the Electrical and Computer Engineering curricula and the Computer Science curricula are filled to overflowing with required courses as well as upper-level technical electives to provide opportunities to explore the application of students’ knowledge in depth in particular fields. How then do we develop an Embedded Systems course the provides this holistic design in the limited amount of time afforded by a quarter or semester course? One approach that has been tested at Baylor University's School of Engineering & Computer Science (ECS) is the integration of the Embedded Systems Design course taught in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with the Embedded Systems course taught in Computer Science. This paper will document the original courses and their prerequisite coursework, the path toward integration of the group design project, the prototype testing of this approach conducted in 2017, an outline of the instruction provided to the students, and the assessment of the interdisciplinary approach to the project phase of both courses.