4/20/2025 2:45:39 PM	ELEC 54C Course Outline as of Fall 2018	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ELEC 54C	Title:  MICROCONTROLLERS
Full Title:  Microcontrollers and Embedded Systems
Last Reviewed:8/14/2023

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	35.00
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	3.00		8 min.	Lab Scheduled	52.50
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	5.00			Contact Total	87.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

An introduction to computer programming concepts using microcontrollers to program computer circuits and hardware. Microcontrollers such as the Arduino and PicAxe will be used to interface with circuits constructed on prototyping boards. Course content includes both software and hardware troubleshooting.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of ELEC 54B

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

An introduction to computer programming concepts using microcontrollers to program computer circuits and hardware. Microcontrollers such as the Arduino and PicAxe will be used to interface with circuits constructed on prototyping boards. Course content includes both software and hardware troubleshooting.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of ELEC 54B
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2018	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Not Certificate/Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Write programs in a high-level programming language such as the C++ derived Arduino language to control two different microcontrollers.

2.  Use a microcontroller to detect inputs from sensors.

3.  Control LEDs, servo motors, speakers, and other devices in response to inputs and programming.

 

Objectives:

During this course students will:

1. Convert between number systems (binary and hexadecimal).

2. Develop truth tables for logic gates.

3. Download and run a program to a microcontroller.

4. Use editors to compose programming code and compilers to produce executable software.

5. Describe basic hardware interfaces at the conceptual level.

6. Program an Atmega32 to control a DC motor.

7. Build an Atmega32 microcontroller circuit on a prototyping board.

Topics and Scope

I.  Computers and microcontrollers

    A. Algorithms and problem solving

    B. Setting up the microcontroller and programming environment

II. Logic Gates

III. Microcontrollers

    A. Setting up the programming environment

    B. Memory Concepts

    C. Declarations and variables

    D. Assignment and initialization

IV.   Digital inputs and outputs

V.    Analog sensors

VI.   Selection (conditional) statements

VII.  Reading digital input pins

VIII. Making decisions with if, if-else

    A. Comparison operators and relational expressions

    B. Boolean expressions

IX. Repeating with loops

X. Numbers and arithmetic

     A. Analog measurements

    B. Numerical types

    C. Numerical operators

    D. Arithmetic expressions

    E. Mathematical functions

XI. Functions

     A. Introduction to functions

    B. Defining a function to repeat an action

XII. Arrays

    A. Seven-segment LED displays

    B. Using lists for data

    C. Reading and writing array data

XIII. Data file basics with Serial I/O

    A. Reading from files

    B. Writing to files

XIV. Working with third-party libraries

XV.  Communications and Serial I/O

XVI. Common hardware interfaces

    A. UART

    B. I2C

    C. SPI

    D. Interrupt driven I/O

XVII. Common microcontrollers

    A. Arduino

    B. PicAxe

    C. Intel

XVIII. Constructing an Atmega328 microcontroller

    A. Reading a Schematic

    B. Constructing the circuit

    C. Wiring inputs and outputs

Assignments:

Lecture-Related Assignments:

1. Textbook readings, 20-30 pages per week.

2. Homework assignments (10-15)

3. Quizzes (2-6), final exam

 

Lab-Related Assignments:

1. Lab assignments (8-14)

2. Program Documentation (8-14)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 20 - 30%
Program Documentation
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 30 - 40%
Homework problems, lab assignments
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 30 - 40%
Quizzes and final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Fundamentals of Digital Logic and Microcontrollers. 6th ed. Rafiquzzaman, M. Wiley. 2014

Print PDF