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Session 3649

Experiments in a Microprocessors and Microcontrollers Course Ray Bachnak Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Abstract

Laboratory experimentation is an essential component of a comprehensive learning experience in engineering technology programs. In fall semester 2000, we developed and taught Microprocessors and Microcontrollers, a required junior-level course in the Control Systems Engineering Technology program, by employing a set of software and hardware experiments. The purpose of the laboratory exercises is to introduce students to the practical aspects of microprocessors and microcontrollers and help with achieving the course objectives. This paper briefly describes the course, presents the experiments, and shows how students were exposed to a wide range of concepts and applications. Diagrams are shown and described, as necessary.

I. Introduction

Courses that teach microprocessors and microcontrollers are found in most engineering and engineering technology curricula. Typically, two or more courses are used to cover the various aspects of microprocessors and microcontrollers [1-7]. In the Control Systems Engineering Technology program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (A&M-CC), however, the curriculum has only one course devoted to this area. Our goal is to introduce students to the practical aspects of microprocessors and microcontrollers through laboratory experimentation. A set of experiments that involve programming, hardware, interfacing, and applications was developed. The experiments range from simple software exercises that illustrate the use of the assembler and instruction set to more complex and practical applications such as interfacing and controlling external devices. This paper briefly describes the course, presents the experiments, and shows how students were exposed to a wide range of concepts and applications. The paper will also present initial course assessment and future plans.

II. Course Objectives

ENTC 4418 Microprocessors and Microcontrollers was developed and offered for the first time in fall semester 2000. It is a four-credit hour course with a weekly laboratory of three hours. Topics covered include hardware architecture, addressing modes, instruction set, programming, I/O operations, interrupts, timing, memory, peripheral interface devices, control of external devices, and applications. The prerequisites for the course are two courses in DC/AC circuit analysis, a course in digital logic, and a course in C language programming. Two textbooks were used for the course [8, 9]. The initial plan

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Bachnak, R. (2001, June), Experiments In A Microprocessors And Microcontrollers Course Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9263