To introduce the learner to the main components of a general microprocessor-based system.
Data Formats and Boolean Algebra
2's complement, Hexadecimal, octal, ASCII, BCD, Modular number systems. Review of Boolean Algebra
Basic Microprocessor Architecture
General Purpose Registers, Instruction Register, Program Counter, Flags Register, ALU, Sequential Execution, Busses – data, address, control, ROM and RAM, Multi-byte data and endianness, Basic Address decoding Harvard Vs Von Neumann architecture, RISC Vs CISC design. Microprocessor timing.
Basic Assembly Programming
Designing a program using a flowchart, Implementing a program represented by a flowchart, Data Movement, Arithmetic instructions, Simple Assembler Directives and concept of 2-pass assembler, Layout of program in memory, Hand coding and simulation of assembly programs
More sophisticated assembly programming
Addressing modes, Condition codes, Branching Instructions. Simple I/O operation.
Program Control
Sub-routines, CALL and RET instructions, Setting up the stack, the return address. Polling Vs Interrupts. Hardware and software response to interrupts. Interrupt Service Routines.
Introduction to the AVR Microcontroller
Microcontroller's V's Microprocessors, AVR programmers model, AVR instruction set, AVR hardware project. USE ATMEL Studio IDE to write assembly code for AVR.
The module will be delivered through a series of lectures and lab sessions with student self-directed learning including assessment activities.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 50 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 50 |