Module: OOP with Embedded Systems

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	OOP with Embedded Systems
Module Code	EE402 (ITS) / EEN1035 (Banner)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Electronic Engineering
Module Co-ordinator	Derek Molloy
Module Teachers	Brendan Hayes
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Make-up assignments are available during the summer months

Description

Object-oriented Programming is a software methodology that is vital in the engineering workplace. This module will allow students to gain further experience in advanced aspects of object-oriented programming through implementation of design concepts in both the C++ and Java programming languages. Advanced embedded Linux based embedded systems are introduced in this module. Each student completes an assignment using a system-on-a-chip (SoC) device, such as the BeagleBone that involves TCP socket communications.

Learning Outcomes

1. analyse unseen real-world software systems challenges and develop structured solutions, involving the design of object-oriented classes and class hierarchies using formal object-oriented analysis and design models
2. implement such solutions in the C++ and Java programming languages with attention to future design needs and robust operation
3. design solutions that abstract data types through the use of approaches such as STL and generics
4. explain the differences between and uses of different object-oriented languages; choose a correct implementation language for the engineering problem
5. discuss methodologies for applying object-oriented concepts to develop solutions for real-world software implementation challenges; choose the correct methodology for a given problem
6. design a software application for test and reliability
7. develop threaded network applications from first principles that use object-oriented concepts to communicate packaged data over TCP/IP; Solve the synchronization issues associated with network computing and design network computing frameworks and solutions
8. discuss the use of embedded Linux under embedded systems devices and build high-level program code on an embedded Linux device; interface physical sensors/devices to the embedded Linux device, wrapping low-level electronics with high-level program code

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Classroom Lectures
Independent Study	152	Study of the on-line video tutorials (~10 hrs), self-directed study of the materials, completion of the assignments (~47 hrs) and study for the examinations.
Total Workload: 188

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Brief re-introduction to object-oriented programming
Discuss the concept of objects and classes in object-oriented programming languages. Discuss other concepts such as encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism. It will quickly refresh the differences and similarities between C++ and Java related to the object-oriented paradigm.

Advanced programming
Correct usage of advanced control structures and programming concepts such as exceptions, interfaces, dynamic binding, multiple inheritance, garbage collection (Java and C++). Time will be spent on low-level data structures and algorithms in C++ to ensure that students can make the connection between embedded systems skills and high-level programming skills.

Generic Programming
Discussion on C++ STL and Generics in Java. Examine STL containers, iterators, algorithms and functors, and apply them to some software data structure problems (e.g. recursive tree traversal). Operator overloading. Combining Generics and Templates. Algorithms and the design of algorithms when working with C++ data structures will be covered in detail.

Software Design Methodologies
Discuss methodologies for applying object-oriented concepts to develop solutions for real-world software implementation challenges. Examine object-oriented design methodologies in detail – in particular a detailed discussion on Agile Processes (including Extreme Programming (XP)).

Java Network Programming
Develop network client applications that communicate to any server. Extend this work by designing servers that use network sockets to serve data to clients. Develop network computing frameworks. Ensure that these frameworks are capable of handling large volumes of requests simultaneously. Deal with the synchronization issues that arise. Students must develop a large-scale client-server application that is designed using discussed software development methodologies, generic programming concepts and correct testing.

Embedded Systems
Discussion on the use of embedded systems. In-depth introduction to embedded Linux an an ARM SoC and practical application through the use of a client/server assignment that typically places the server on the embedded Linux SoC and a GUI client on the desktop machine. This architecture is described in the context of Internet of Things applications.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	25%	Examination Weight	75%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	C++ and Algorithms Assignment	10%	Week 7
Assignment	Java Embedded Linux Network Programming Assignment (interfacing to electronic sensors)	15%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Derek Molloy: 2014, EE402 Object-oriented Programming Notes, 13, ee402.eeng.dcu.ie,
Derek Molloy: 2015, Exploring Beaglebone: Tools and Techniques for Building with Embedded Linux, 1, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1118935128
Deitel & Deitel: 2011, Java How to Program, 9th, Pearson Education, 0273759760
Harvey Deitel, Paul J.Deitel: 2011, C++ How to Program, 8, Pearson Education, 0136152503
James Gosling: 1996, The Java language specification, Addison Wesley,

Other Resources

None