DSCBlocks: An Open-Source Platform for Learning Embedded Systems Based on Algorithm Visualizations and Digital Signal Controllers

DSCBlocks is an open-source platform in hardware and software developed in JavaFX, which is focused on learning embedded systems through Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs). These devices are employed in industrial and educational sectors due to their robustness, number of peripherals, processing speed, scalability and versatility. The platform uses graphical blocks designed in Google’s tool Blockly that can be used to build different Algorithm Visualizations (AVs). Afterwards, the algorithms are converted in real-time to C language, according to the specifications of the compiler for the DSCs (XC16) and they can be downloaded in one of the two models of development board for the dsPIC 33FJ128GP804 and dsPIC 33FJ128MC802. The main aim of the platform is to provide a flexible environment, drawing on the educational advantages of the AVs with different aspects concerning the embedded systems, such as declaration of variables and functions, configuration of ports and peripherals, handling of Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), interrupts, among others, that are employed in several fields such as robotics, control, instrumentation, etc. In addition, some experiments that were designed in the platform are presented in the manuscript. The educational methodology and the assessment provided by the students (n = 30) suggest that the platform is suitable and reliable to learn concepts relating to embedded systems.

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Implementation of SCTP in an open source Real-Time Operating System

MILCOM 2008 - 2008 IEEE Military Communications Conference ◽

10.1109/milcom.2008.4753411 ◽

2008 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Md. Sazzadur Rahman ◽

Mohammed Atiquzzaman ◽

William Ivancic ◽

Wesley Eddy ◽

Dave Stewart

Keyword(s):

Operating System ◽

Open Source ◽

Real Time ◽

Real Time Operating System

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The Research of Electronical Control System Based on OSEK/VDX

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.16-19.100 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 16-19 ◽

pp. 100-104

Author(s):

Yue Pan ◽

Jian Chang Liu

Keyword(s):

Operating System ◽

Control System ◽

Open Source ◽

Real Time ◽

Embedded Operating System ◽

Application Development ◽

Operation System ◽

Real Time Operating System

The standard of OSEK/VDX which used in the embedded operating system of car was analysized, and based on this, to select the open-source real-time operating system μC/OS-II as a operation system that will be loaded in the control chip. After that the kernel structure of the μC/OS-II was analysized, and modified the kernel of the system in accordance with OSEK/VDX standards, then translated the μC/OS-II system to the LPC2131 development board for the follow-up application development laid the foundation.

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Prediction of the Testing Effort for the Safety Certification of Open-Source Software: A Case Study on a Real-Time Operating System

2016 12th European Dependable Computing Conference (EDCC) ◽

10.1109/edcc.2016.22 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Domenico Cotroneo ◽

Domenico Di Leo ◽

Roberto Natella ◽

Roberto Pietrantuono

Keyword(s):

Operating System ◽

Open Source ◽

Real Time ◽

Open Source Software ◽

Real Time Operating System ◽

Testing Effort ◽

Safety Certification

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Embedded Virtualization Techniques for Automotive Infotainment Applications

Advances in Systems Analysis, Software Engineering, and High Performance Computing - Handbook of Research on Embedded Systems Design ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-6194-3.ch015 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 372-387

Author(s):

Massimo Violante ◽

Gianpaolo Macario ◽

Salvatore Campagna

Keyword(s):

Operating System ◽

Embedded Systems ◽

Experimental Evidence ◽

Real Time ◽

Operating Systems ◽

Resource Usage ◽

Single Chip ◽

Real Time Operating System ◽

Multicore Computing ◽

Computing Platforms

Automotive infotainment applications are examples of embedded systems in which a heterogeneous software stack is used, which most likely comprises a real-time operating system, an automotive-grade Linux, and possibly Android. Thanks to the availability of modern systems-on-a-chip providing multicore computing platforms, architects have the possibility of integrating the entire software stack in a single chip. Embedded virtualization appears an interesting technology to achieve this goal, while providing the different operating systems the capability of exchanging data as well as optimizing resource usage. Although very well known in server-class systems, virtualization is rather new to the embedded domain; in order to leverage its benefits, it is therefore mandatory to understand its peculiarities and shortcomings. In this chapter, the authors illustrate the virtualization technologies with particular emphasis on hypervisors and Linux Containers. Moreover, they illustrate how those technologies can cooperate to fulfill the requirements on automotive infotainment applications. Finally, the authors report some experimental evidence of the performance overheads introduced when using embedded virtualization.

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Adaptive Real-Time Operating System in Automotive Multicore Embedded Systems

10.1109/icstcc52150.2021.9607172 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria-Geanina Unguritu ◽

Teodor-Constantin Nichitelea

Keyword(s):

Operating System ◽

Embedded Systems ◽

Real Time ◽

Real Time Operating System

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Teaching Assembly and C Language Concurrently

International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education ◽

10.7227/ijeee.47.2.3 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 120-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Janez Puhan ◽

Árpád Bűrmen ◽

Tadej Tuma ◽

Iztok Fajfar

Keyword(s):

Operating System ◽

Computer Architecture ◽

Programming Languages ◽

Real Time ◽

Operating Systems ◽

Electrical Engineering ◽

Engineering Curriculum ◽

Assembly Code ◽

C Language ◽

Real Time Operating System

The paper discusses whether (and how) to teach assembly coding as opposed to (or in conjunction with) higher programming languages as part of a modern electrical engineering curriculum. We describe the example of a very simple cooperative embedded real-time operating system, first programmed in C and then in assembler. A few lines of C language code are compared with the slightly longer assembly code equivalent, and the advantages and drawbacks are discussed. The example affords students a much deeper understanding of computer architecture and operating systems. The course is linked to other courses in the curriculum, which all use the same hardware and software platform; this lowers prices, reduces overheads and encourages students to reuse parts of a written code in subsequent courses. A student learns that badly written and poorly documented code is very difficult to reuse.

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