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\def\classRm{{"DRSDCK-314","ONLINE-SYN",""}}
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\def\classInstructor{{"Maggie Wang","Maggie Wang",""}}
\def\classInstrContact{{"Blackboard: https://elearning.villanova.edu","Blackboard: https://elearning.villanova.edu",""}}
\def\classInstrOffHrs{{"Monday 1:30 - 2:30 PM in person and on ZOOM 6105193830","W~12:30 - 2:00 PM in person and on ZOOM 6105193830",""}}
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\newcommand\semester{Spring 2026}
\newcommand\rsemester{202630}
\newcommand\courseNum{ECE 8448}
\newcommand\courseName{Embedded Systems Architecture}
\newcommand\courseCoordinator{Maggie Wang}
\newcommand\credits{3}
\newcommand\contactHrs{3}
\newcommand\lecture{1}
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\newcommand\meetingMisc{Special notes on meeting info go here, if specified}
\newcommand\instructorMisc{Special notes on instructor(s), TA(s) go here, if specified}
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\newcommand\supplMaterials{1. An Embedded Software Primer, by David Simon, Addison-Wesley Professional.\\
2. Required readings in the \textit{Software and Hardware References} folder in the Blackboard.}
\newcommand\refPapers{
}
\newcommand\textBookMisc{Special notes on textbook(s) go here, if specified}
\newcommand\catalogDesc{A hands-on course on software and architecture aspects of ARM-based embedded systems. Topics include: embedded processor architecture, software architecture and development, communicating with I/O devices, firmware and operating systems, buses and embedded networks, memory technology and design, and low power design.}
\newcommand\preReqs{None}
\newcommand\coReqs{None}
\newcommand\coreRequirement{}
\newcommand\courseExpectation{%After finishing the course, students will 
\begin{itemize}[-]
\item Understand the special requirements that are imposed on embedded systems. 
\item Understand the key instruction set architecture (ISA) features of embedded processors, particularly ARM processors. 
\item Understand how architectural and implementation decisions influence performance and power consumption. 
\item Have the knowledge of special features of programming embedded processors. 
\item Write more efficient code for embedded systems.
\item Understand how microprocessors, memory, peripheral components and buses interact in an embedded system. 
\item Understand the role of the compiler in the embedded system design process. 
\item Understand the properties of real-time operating systems, including real-time scheduling policies.
\item Have improved engineering system design and implementation techniques. 
\item Have hands-on experience with industrial standard development software and hardware.  
\item Understand key state-of-art issues for embedded systems.
\end{itemize}}
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\newcommand\covTopics{\item Please refer to the tentative schedule of topics below.}
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\newcommand\schedule{\begin{table}[h!] \centering 
\caption*{Tentative Schedule for \textbf{All Sections}} \vspace{0.05in}
{\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5} \small
\begin{tabularx}{\linewidth}{c|c|X}
\toprule
\large \textbf{Week} & \large \textbf{Date} & \large \textbf{Topics}\\
\midrule \midrule
1 & 01/12 & Course overview;  Introduction to embedded systems\\
2 & 01/26 & Embedded processor architecture: ARM;
\textbf{Tutorial A}:  Using ARM processor on DE10-Standard\\
3 & 02/02 & Hardware platforms of embedded systems;  
\textbf{Tutorial C}: My first HPS-FPGA\\
4 & 02/09 & Software architectures for embedded systems\\
5 & 02/16 & Communicating with \& controlling I/O devices\\
6 & 02/23 & More about embedded software\\
\textcolor{teal}{7} & \textcolor{teal}{03/02} & \vspace{-5mm}\textcolor{teal}{Spring break, no class}\\
8 & 03/09 & Connectivity: embedded networks\\
9 & 03/16 & Lab: \textbf{Tutorial B}: Using Linux on DE10-Standard\\
10 & 03/23 & RTOS1: Firmware \& OS for embedded systems\\
11 & 03/30 & RTOS2: Real-time scheduling policies\\
\textcolor{teal}{12} & \textcolor{teal}{04/06} & \textcolor{teal}{Easter Break; no class}\\
13 & 04/13 & RTOS3: Semaphores and ISRs; 
\textbf{Tutorial}: IRQ with Linux on the DE10 Board\\
14 & 04/20 & Memory technology; Processor power management;\\
 &  & \textbf{Tutorial D}: Using HPS+FPGA+Linux on DE10 Standard\\
14 & 04/27 & \textbf{Project presentations}\\
15 & 05/04 & \textbf{Final Exam}\\
\textcolor{gray}{16} & \textcolor{gray}{05/11} & \textcolor{gray}{Project report due}\\
\bottomrule \end{tabularx} } \end{table}}
\newcommand\gradingPolicy{\begin{itemize}
\item Homework/Lab Assignments -- 60\%
\item Final Exam -- 20\% 
\item Project -- 20\%  (Proposal: 5\%; Presentation 5\%; Report: 10\%)

Detailed description and requirements will be posted in the Assignments folder
\end{itemize}
\\
Letter grade scale: A(94--100), A--(90--93), B+(87--89), B(83--86), B--(78--82), C+(74--77),\\
C(70--73), F(<70)}
\newcommand\HWandLabPolicy{Homework and project assignments will be posted in the Bb \textbf{Assignments} folder. Late submissions will be accepted with a 5\% loss of the points per late day, unless approved by the instructor in advance. If you are unable to take the exam on the scheduled date, you must contact the instructor before the exam.

Since this is a hands-on course with complex software and hardware, and graduate students tend to come with diverse technical backgrounds, you are expected to learn how to look for appropriate technical documentation, and read and understand them efficiently in a focused manner for your needs. You are expected to develop troubleshooting and debug skills through vendor’s technical documentation and discussion forums when you have questions and problems with the assignments and project.}
\newcommand\AIPolicy{\textcolor{red}{The use of the AI-generated content is NOT permitted for any assignment submission in this course. Its use will result in an academic integrity violation and a zero on the assignment.}}
\newcommand\AttendancePolicy{\textcolor{blue}{You are expected and assumed to attend class meetings in person if you are enrolled in Section 001, or participate through ZOOM or watch videos if you are in the DL section.  You are responsible for all the material covered in class including handouts and class notes. }

In-class students should inform the instructor if they plan to be late or absent from class. In all cases, students should be prepared to provide documentation to petition for excused absences to the appropriate Associate Dean. The form for requesting an excused absence can be found here (http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/engineering/resources/policies/forms/studentAbsence.html). Absence from class does not release the student from work assigned. Students who miss an in-class obligation (exam, presentation, etc.) due to an excused absence will not be penalized - the instructor may offer a make-up test, arrange an alternative time for a presentation, exempt a student from the assignment, or provide another arrangement.}
\newcommand\ElectronicsPolicy{\textcolor{red}{Since you opted for a customize electronics policy, you should edit this part. Your policy should address your general stance on recording of class sessions and the circumstances under which recording will be allowed or prohibited. If you generally prohibit recording, yet allow recording of certain classes for some reason, then ypu should notify all students that those classes will be recorded. If recording is permitted as an ADA accommodation for a student, you obviously should not identify that student(s).)}}