1 Introducing Computer Systems Related Topics in the First Study Semester Maksim Gorev, Vadim Pesonen, Peeter Ellervee Department of Computer Engineering Tallinn University of Technology Tallinn, Estonia European Workshop on Microelectronics Education - May 12, Darmstadt

2 Introducing Computer Systems Related Topics in the First Study Semester  Motivation  Structure  Hands-on excercises  Lessons learned  Feedback and results

3 Motivation  Make “hard” study programs attractive  Rise students interest and keep them studying  Give a better overview of the specialization and related subjects Main Idea - to present in a simplified manner the whole process of creating a system

4 Introducing Computer Systems Related Topics in the First Study Semester  Motivation  Structure  Practical classes  Lessons learned  Feedback and results

5 Course structure  2 lectures Overview of the specialityOverview of the speciality How the course is toughtHow the course is tought Problems of designing a systemProblems of designing a system  4 practical classes Practical introductionPractical introduction Learn to design systemLearn to design system Hands-on experienceHands-on experience  Competition

6 Introducing Computer Systems Related Topics in the First Study Semester  Motivation  Structure  Practical classes Class 1 Class 1 Class 2 Class 2 Class 3 Class 3 Competition Competition  Lessons learned  Feedback and results

7 Practical Classes  Main task - to provide the robot with the possibility to follow a line.  Robots use Basic-style programming language  Students are divided in groups by 4  4 practical classes: Introduction Introduction Hard-coded line following Hard-coded line following Feedback line following Feedback line following Competition Competition

8 Class 1  Different methods of line following using robots Hard-coded, IR, remote control, cameraHard-coded, IR, remote control, camera  Examples of student projects  Playing…

9 Class 2  More practical  Boe-bot detailed overview  Basic study Servo motors Servo motors Programming structures Programming structures Task — inline the robots movements

10 Class 3  Feedback control  Object detection using IR light  Simple model of embedded system  Basic study IR light detectionIR light detection Programming structuresProgramming structures  Task – follow the line using IR LEDs and sensors

11 Competition  Summary of achievements  Possibility for analysis  Design improvements  Fun

12 Introducing Computer Systems Related Topics in the First Study Semester  Motivation  Structure  Hands-on excercises  Lessons learned  Feedback and results

13 Lessons learned  Complex track Hand-made Hand-made Irregular curves Irregular curves  Battery charge Change of properties Change of properties  “Inadequate” IR detection  Competitions  Advantages?! Real world experience Real world experience

14 Introducing Computer Systems Related Topics in the First Study Semester  Motivation  Structure  Hands-on excercises  Lessons learned  Feedback and results

15 Feedback and results  Feedback: Possibility for interesting studyPossibility for interesting study Exciting to deal with robotsExciting to deal with robots  Statistics: 85% attended 3 to 4 classes85% attended 3 to 4 classes 15% attended 1 to 2 classes15% attended 1 to 2 classes  Group size 25 per group25 per group Wrong expectationsWrong expectations Smaller subgroupsSmaller subgroups

16 Introducing Computer Systems Related Topics in the First Study Semester  Motivation  Structure  Hands-on excercises  Lessons learned  Feedback and results

17 Thank You ! Any questions?