Managing the sensor: embedded computing

Summary: Basic hardware and software building blocks of embedded computing systems, and how they are used in wireless sensor nodes.  The hardware/software interface of wireless sensor nodes.  Microcontrollers, memories, input/output, peripherals, and power supplies and regulation.  Design patterns for embedded wireless sensors; power management and energy efficiency of wireless sensor nodes.

Examples: Modern ultra-low power microcontrollers

Objectives:

• Understand the basic hardware components that make up a wireless sensor node, including transducers, radios, batteries and power supplies
• Be able to draw and label a simple block diagram of a generic microcontroller, including its peripherals. Links to digital logic and microprocessors.
• Demonstrate basic understanding of embedded systems software, the hardware/software interface, implementation of networking protocols, and familiarity with interfaces with radios. Links to networking, communication.
• Be able to describe and interpret models for power/energy consumption of computation
• Demonstrate familiarity with power regulation in digital CMOS and embedded computing systems. Links to digital electronics.
• Be able to describe fundamental strategies for power/energy management in wireless sensor networks. Links to VLSI design.

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