Embedded Systems

The introduction

In the first week, the teacher introduced the purpose of the course and the tools required, and outlined the requirements and goals for Project 1.We plan to create a space related to trains, which will be a train car. The window section will feature LED screens that can display animated scenes based on different commands. When the user gives one of four different commands, each one will correspond to a seasonal change on the LED screen, showcasing the scenery of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Week 2

Through studying embedded systems design, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of the field. The design process, from requirement gathering to system integration, involves several key steps. In the requirement phase, it's crucial to define functional and non-functional requirements to ensure clear design goals. The top-down and bottom-up approaches complement each other, ensuring both system objectives and component performance optimization. System integration is a critical stage, where hardware and software integration, debugging, and verification ensure stable operation. Throughout the process, teamwork and problem-solving abilities are crucial.

Week 3

Embedded systems prototype design is an important part of electrical engineering, helping to validate design ideas and optimize designs. During the learning process, I learned various prototyping methods, such as breadboarding, 3D printing, and digital prototyping. These methods expanded my technical perspective and taught me different ways to create prototypes. However, I also realized that I am not yet skilled in integrating complex hardware and software components, especially when using 3D printing, where I had difficulty achieving precise dimensions, causing installation issues. Additionally, in digital prototyping, my user interaction design was not innovative or convenient enough.

The teacher guided us through the installation of the Raspberry Pi to ensure future use, and I learned the entire process. When using the Maker pHAT, the first step is to confirm compatibility with the Raspberry Pi model. The Raspberry Pi Zero WH can be directly stacked, while the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and B Plus require the PC104 Header Pin (2x20) for stacking. Additionally, check that all accessories are complete. Next, the system setup begins. If NOOBS already has Raspbian pre-installed, skip the download; otherwise, use Etcher to write the Raspbian OS to the SD card and modify the config.txt file. After connecting the Maker pHAT to the computer, install the drivers and log into the Raspberry Pi using PuTTY to set up WiFi and VNC. Once the IP address is obtained, use VNC Viewer to log in. Finally, open Python 3 (IDLE), write or paste the code, and run it to control the LED and buzzer using the buttons on the Maker pHAT.

Week 4

I have learned about various sensor modules, gaining an understanding of their working principles, pin functions, and application scenarios. This has broadened my technical perspective and laid a foundation for practical work in embedded systems design. However, I found it difficult to understand the working principles of different sensors, particularly in signal conversion and processing. Additionally, I need to expand my thinking regarding practical application scenarios. Going forward, I plan to conduct more experiments to deepen my understanding of sensors, stay updated on the latest technologies in the sensor field, and enhance my practical and innovative skills.

Through studying augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of their innovative applications and broad prospects. I see the significant potential for transformation in various industries. However, I realized that I am not yet fully proficient in advanced development tools like Unity and Unreal Engine, which creates technical challenges when implementing creative ideas. Additionally, I need to improve my interactive design skills for AR and VR to create smoother, more natural user experiences. In the future, I plan to deepen my understanding of development tools, improve my technical abilities through practical projects, and study exemplary interactive design cases to enhance my skills in AR and VR design.

After an afternoon of busy work, we finally managed to get the light to turn on by touching the touchpad.

Week 5

Studying the embedded system development lifecycle (ESDLC) gave me a comprehensive understanding of the entire process, from requirements analysis to product maintenance. This helped me grasp the complexity and system nature of embedded system development. ESDLC includes several key stages, and each stage is interconnected. Any mistake in one part can affect the entire project. I realized that the accuracy of requirements analysis is crucial for guiding the product direction, and various types of testing ensure product quality. However, I still have gaps in coordinating hardware and software design and in security testing. In the future, I will focus on learning these areas to enhance my overall capabilities in embedded system development and better handle challenges in real projects.

Project 2 Link

We successfully made the light switch between different colors.

Week 6

Learning Summary and Reflections on Maker pHAT Raspberry Pi
The basic equipment experiments with Maker pHAT Raspberry Pi provided me with valuable knowledge and practical skills in hardware connections, software configuration, and circuit principles.
The learning covered OLED displays, motion sensors, capacitive touch sensors, LED combinations, and resistor value calculations. I learned how to enable I2C interfaces, install libraries, set up virtual environments, and run example scripts. I also learned how to connect sensors and LEDs, and use Python programming to trigger LED state changes based on sensor detection. Additionally, I learned to calculate the resistor value for LEDs using Ohm's Law to ensure proper circuit operation.
Through this learning, I improved my skills in interacting with external devices using Raspberry Pi, and enhanced my practical and programming abilities. I also learned to apply theoretical knowledge to solve real-world circuit problems. However, I realized that I still lack knowledge in software environment configuration, as I faced issues with installing libraries due to complex dependencies. I also found my understanding of sensor and microcontroller communication mechanisms to be insufficient.

In the following time, we implemented it using a 3D printed model of the space.

Demonstration Video

Summary:

This is my first time working with embedded design and devices, as well as my first experience installing software, programming, and implementing it on a device. The sense of accomplishment is rare. The structured courses have significantly enhanced my knowledge and skills. The curriculum covered the embedded system design process, including requirements analysis, feasibility, design and implementation, testing, integration, product release, and maintenance, giving me a clear understanding of the importance of each step. In the prototyping course, I learned practical methods such as breadboarding and 3D printing and their suitable use cases. The sensor module lessons broadened my knowledge of sensor principles and applications. The AR and VR technology courses showed the innovative uses of embedded systems in interactive experiences, inspiring new design ideas.