A novel embedded system curriculum with portable hands-on labs in a box

Abstract

The rapid growth of embedded systems has resulted in a shortage of professionals in embedded software development. Despite the high demand of embedded system professionals, the embedded system curriculum is not well represented in current academic programs. Existing instruction models rely on two prerequisites: 1) significant investment in resources (e.g., embedded system labs), and 2) a higher knowledge base requirement for instructors (e.g., faculty whose expertise not in this area). The universities and colleges lacking in the resources and build-ups in this field are difficult to meet such requirements to offer embedded systems curriculum. We are developing a new embedded system curriculum with real hands-on "Labs In A Box" (LIAB) that is portable, modular, and easy to be adopted worldwide. The modern technologies including wireless and smart sensor network are infused into the courseware to meet the industrial demand. The proposed courseware targets on universities/colleges that have limited resources for teaching undergraduate embedded system curriculum. The new courseware includes teaching modules on foundational and emerging topics, real hands-on lab modules, and projects based on the inexpensive portable LIAB. Accompanying with the LIAB is a textbook entitled "Embedded Software Development with C" published by the Springer publisher.

Teaching programming using embedded systems

“…Universities in Korea [21], China [22,23,24], and Taiwan [25] have instigated undergraduate course sequences in embedded systems to meet the respond to governmental [25,26] or industry [21,22] initiatives. In the United States, Southern Polytechnic State University [27], East Tennessee State University [28], Mississippi State [29], and others have designed notable stand-alone embedded systems courses. Mallen and Brylow at Marquette include embedded systems development in multiple courses within their curriculum [30].…”

Mobile

“…Several curricula have been published that support physically portable labs [22,5]. One of MOBILE's primary goals is to allow presenters to conduct labs on the road, at other schools or conferences where the presenters may have little control over host machines.…”