FACULTY OF HEALTH, ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Full Unit Outline - Enrolment Approved Friday, 13 December 2013
Disclaimer
This unit outline may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To
ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

UNIT TITLE Microprocessor Systems
UNIT CODE ENS5257
CREDIT POINTS 15
FULL YEAR UNIT No
MODE OF DELIVERY On-campus
This version of the unit will be offered from 1/07/2014
DESCRIPTION
This unit provides an introduction to microprocessor and microcontroller systems. The
basic architecture of a generic microprocessor is examined and concepts of assembly
language programming, memory devices, data bus operation and input/output
interfacing are explored.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. describe the fundamental architecture of a microprocessor system;
2. explain how memory and I/O devices are interfaced to a microprocessor;
3. explain the operation of interrupt, timer and serial communication sub-systems in
microprocessors;
4. design simple microcontroller based systems;
5. write simple programs to control microprocessor based systems and interfaced
hardware;
6. evaluate and select appropriate microprocessors to suit a particular application
environment; and
7. research advancements in microprocessor technologies and reflect critically on
their significance to engineering practice.

UNIT CONTENT
1. Overview of microprocessor and microcontroller systems.
2. Memory devices and interfacing.
3. CPU architecture; registers, instructions and data addressing modes.
4. Fundamentals of assembly language programming, data structures, and
subroutine calls.
5. I/O, polling and interrupts.
6. Sources of interrupts, interrupt cycle, interrupt handling routines.
7. Counters and timers.
8. Parallel and serial communication methods.
9. Interfacing of microprocessors with external hardware (LEDs, switches, displays,
sensors, etc.).
10. Advanced applications of microprocessor systems (mobile, industrial, wearable,
etc.).

TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESSES
Seminars and laboratories.

GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
The following graduate attributes will be developed in this unit:
Ability to communicate
Critical appraisal skills
Ability to generate ideas

ASSESSMENT
Grading Schema 1

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments
may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered
provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Item On-Campus Assessment Value Mandatory to
Pass
Assignment Theory based assignment 10%
Project Microprocessor system project and
laboratory work*
30% Yes
Presentation Research seminar 10%
Examination End of semester examination 50% Yes

*Due to professional competency skill development associated with this unit,
participation in all laboratory sessions and successful completion of associated tasks is
a mandatory requirement for passing this unit. Students who are unable to attend a lab
session for a legitimate reason will need to arrange a make-up session with their
lecturer. Students who fail to complete all required laboratory tasks without legitimate
cause may be awarded an FI grade (Fail Incomplete).

TEXTS
Hamacher, C., Vranesic, Z., Zaky, S. & Manjikian, N. (2012) Computer organization and
embedded systems (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

SIGNIFICANT REFERENCES
Mazidi, M. A., Mazidi, J. & Causey, D. (2010). The x86 PC: assembly language, design,
and interfacing (5th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Pack, D. J., & Barrett, S. F. (2007). 68HC12 microcontroller - theory and applications
(2nd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Spasov, P. (2004). Microcontroller technology: The 68HC11 (5th ed.). New Jersey:
Prentice Hall.
Tocci, R. J., & Ambrosio, F. J. (2003). Microprocessors and microcomputers: hardware
and software (6th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.



Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this
subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes
and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide
support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students
with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Student Equity, Diversity and
Disability Service website:
http://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/support/student-equity


Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are
substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these
rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
plagiarism;
unauthorised collaboration;
cheating in examinations;
theft of other students work.
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has
not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can
be accessed through the ECU website.