CHINHOYI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF ENEGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

MECHATRONICS DEPARTMENT

MODULE OUTLINE

Module identity
Module title and code: CUMEM221 INSTRUMENTATION AND EMBEDDED
CONTROL
Module level: 2.2
Module credits: 12 CREDITS
Date Module outline last updated: 27 April 2024
Prerequisites, (if any): NONE
Module coordinator: Eng. K.B Chimonyo

Office location:
email address: [email protected]
Cell number: 0783506103
Module contact hours: 48 HOURS
Face to face: 24 HOURS
Online: 24 HOURS
Tutorial hours: 12 HOURS
Project :24 HOURS
Practical/Laboratory work hours: 24 HOURS
Self-directed learning hours: 12 HOURS

Preamble

In this Module, the fundamentals of measuring systems, embedded system hardware and firmware
design will be explored. Issues such as principles of sensing systems, analysis and application of
various sensors, embedded processor selection, hardware/firmware partitioning, circuit design,
circuit layout, circuit debugging, development tools, firmware architecture, firmware design, and
firmware debugging will be discussed. The PIC 18F4550/16F877 microcontroller will be studied. The
architecture and instruction set of the microcontroller will be discussed. The Module will culminate
with a significant final project which will complement the concepts learnt

Laboratory: Practicals will first be carried using of the Proteus simulation tool. Using this board you
will gain an insight into the world of measurement technology, learning measurement techniques for
the most varied physical quantities. You will deepen your knowledge with the help of many different
analog and digital sensors, analyzing instruments and sensors. The PIC 18F4550/PIC 16F877 will be
programed and simple circuits constructed. You will be expected to identify an area where embedded
systems can be employed and design a system based on the PIC 18F4550 solving the identified
problem within the Proteus simulating environment.

1
Module Objectives and Outcomes

1. Identify, classify and select for use measuring instruments

2. Understand the principle of operation of various transducers
3. Relate sensors to various signal conditioning techniques
4. Should understand the procedures for sensor calibration
5. The understanding of embedded systems (a system with the computer hidden inside) using
modular design and abstraction.
6. Assembly and C language programming: considering both function and style.
7. Understanding how the computer executes instructions (fetches opcode, fetch operand,
read data, operate, and write data).
8. The use of a microcontroller (strategic use of RAM, ROM and I/O). Microcontrollers typically
have a little RAM and a lot of ROM. Globals, locals and the heap go in RAM. Constants and
programs go in ROM.
9. Debugging and verification using a simulator and on the microcontroller (embedded systems
typically do not have a print function). Debugging using breakpoints, scanpoints, profiles,
monitors, voltmeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers.
10. How input/output actually happens synchronization, including switches,LEDs, LCDs, DACs,
ADCs, and serial ports.
11. Interrupt synchronization, real-time ADC sampling (periodic timer interrupts), introduction
to multithreaded programming.
12. Should have an understanding of how to interface embedded systems devices

Delivery Methods:

Continuous Assessment will apply, including tests, tutorials, assignments project and laboratory
reports. A pass mark of 50% is required. The final exam will contribute 70% and 30% will be from
continuous assessment. Overall the assessment includes the following:
1. Regular homework assignments
2. In-class tests
3. Tutorials
4. Oral presentations
5. Field trips
6. Mini design projects
7. Laboratory practical reports
8. End of Semester Examination
Detailed Content layout to include

Topics (outline) / Module content detailed with activities, assignments, tests, timing, practical work/
lab work. (This information can be presented in tabular form as shown in the table below).

2
Topics Content/concepts/detailed Methodology Student activities Duration
employed /time(for
content)
Instrumentation Instruments and Teaching, • Research on
and measuring systems practicals, availability of Various
Measurements presentations sensing technics
Measurement Of Non- • Familiarisation of
Proteus Simulation
Electrical Quantities - and micro C
Measurement of
temperature, pressure,
chemical depositions,
impurities, strain and
displacement.

Introduction and
Terminology,
Instrumentation Symbols,
Measurement Standards.

Sensors and Transducers

Introduction To Definition of Embedded Teaching, • Practicals accessing

Embedded System, Embedded Practicals, Microcontroller and
Control Systems Field Trip Microprocessors
Systems Vs General
Computing Systems,
History of Embedded
Systems, Classification,

Major Application Areas,

Purpose of Embedded
Systems, Overview of
Processors &
Microcontrollers,
Microcontroller and
microprocessor
architecture

Von Neumann vs. Harvard

Architecture Memory, I/O
Interface, Microcontroller
peripherals

Embedded Systems Engineering Teaching, • In-Class test 1

Systems Design Program Optimisation, practicals, • Group Presentation
presentations On Embedded
Embedded system design Systems design flow
considerations and

3
 requirements, processor
selection,

Development and
debugging strategies and
techniques,

Characteristics and Quality

Attributes of Embedded
Systems
The PIC18f4550 RISC Architecture of PIC, Teaching, • In class test 1
/ PIC16F877- Addressing modes, practicals • Practicals with the
Architecture PicKit 3
Instruction Set ,Assembly • Mini Project Progress
Presentation
Language Programming, C
Programming, local
variables and subroutines;

Input/Output (I/O)
synchronization; analog to
digital conversion and
digital to analog
conversion; debugging;
and interrupts.

I/O: Parallel Ports,

Direction registers, Logical
and shift operations,
Arithmetic:
Addition/subtraction
operations, Condition
code bits, Conditionals ,

Microprocessor
supervisory circuits,
watchdog timers

Microcontroller LEDs, switches, DC Teaching, • Mini Project Circuit

Interfacings motors, relay and other Practicals Development and
system Testing
actuating devices DAC,
sensors, communication,
display devices,

LCD interface , I/O

Synchronization, Analog-

4
 to-Digital Conversion
(ADC),

Serial Communications
Interface (SCI), Serial
interrupts

References:

Online access to Module material on central server, including online journal with assistance of the
library Information will be provided periodically on relevant text books, internet resources and other
reading material

REFERENCES
1. Embedded system design- a unified hardware/ software introduction. F. Vahid, T. Givarigis
2. Digital computer electronics. Malvino and brown
3. Electronic instrumentation. H. S. Kalsi
4. Process measurement and analysis. B. G. Liptak
5. Advanced PIC Microcontroller Projects in C, Dogharn Ibrahim

Academic integrity: Articulate policies for attendance, withdrawal, late assignment submission;
plagiarism; statement of academic integrity should be clarified.

1) The Department of Mechatronic is concerned with ensuring an environment that is free of all
discrimination. If there is a problem, individuals are reminded that they should contact the lecturer,
department Chair or the office of the Dean as soon as possible.
2) Students are required to exhibit honest and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning
process. It must be emphasised that the academic credits which one earns are rooted in the
principles of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is an intentional act to gain an unearned
academic credit or advantage; such behaviour result in serious consequences such as the grade of
zero on an assignment or test. The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:
• Plagiarism. e.g. the submission of work that is not own or for which other credit
has been
• obtained
• Improper collaboration in group work
• Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations
3) Students are encouraged to attend all lectures although this is not compulsory but, 75%
attendance is a must for lectures and 100% attendance for all tutorials.