| Title: | Physical Computing |
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| Long Title: | Physical Computing |
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| Field of Study: |
Computer Science
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| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 ) |
| Next Review Date: |
June 2021 |
| Module Coordinator: |
Sean McSweeney |
| Module Author: |
David Murphy |
| Module Description: |
Physical computing refers to computer systems that can sense and respond to the analog world. This module studies the key elements that comprise such systems (e.g. sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, microprocessors, memory, and communication protocols), in addition to more general computer hardware topics such as storage and peripheral devices. Additionally, students will learn how to program such systems to interact with the physical environment and/or human interfaces. |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| LO1 |
Describe the operation and applications of fundamental electronic components. |
| LO2 |
Explain the process by which a digital computer system interacts with an analog physical environment. |
| LO3 |
Discuss the principal components that make up a computer system and how they are interconnected to achieve a level of functionality and performance. |
| LO4 |
Outline the common communication protocols used in computer systems, both over wired and wireless connections. |
| LO5 |
Design and build simple single-board computer and microcontroller-based applications that interact with the physical environment. |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named CIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s). |
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Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list. |
| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
|
| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
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| No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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Electronic Circuits and Components
Basics of electricity, resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors.
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Analog/Digital Interface
Analog/digital signals, ADCs, DACs, sensors (e.g. acoustic, accelerometers, gyroscopes, TPH, light, touchscreen, position, proximity), actuators (e.g. DC motors, servo motors, stepper motors, LCDs).
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System Components and Architecture
Memory, CPUs, I/O systems, storage devices, firmware (e.g. BIOS).
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Communication Methods
UART, SPI, I2C, WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee.
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Physical Computing Applications
Development of single-board computer and microcontroller-based applications to sense and control physical devices (e.g. using Raspberry Pis and/or Arduino kits). Applications may also require students to interconnect computer systems (e.g. interface a Raspberry Pi with an Arduino board) to build a larger system.
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Course Work | 50.00% |
| End of Module Formal Examination | 50.00% |
| Course Work |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Multiple Choice Questions |
An in-class examination that will require the student to demonstrate understanding of electronic circuits and components, analog/digital interfaces, basic elements of a computer system and how a given microcontroller/SBC (e.g. Arduino and/or Raspberry Pi) may be used to sense and control physical devices. |
1,2,3 |
25.0 |
Week 7 |
| Practical/Skills Evaluation |
Weekly assessed laboratory practicals developing physical computing applications. Laboratory practicals will require students to build input and output circuits to interface with a microcontroller and/or SBC, and program the microcontroller/SBC to achieve a given functionality. |
1,2,5 |
25.0 |
Every Week |
| End of Module Formal Examination |
|---|
| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Formal Exam |
End of semester formal examination. |
1,2,3,4,5 |
50.0 |
End-of-Semester |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
|
The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Lectures delivering the theory underpinning the learning outcomes. |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Lab |
Lab supporting the learning outcomes and content delivered in lectures. |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Independent study. |
3.0 |
Every Week |
3.00 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Lectures delivering the theory underpinning the learning outcomes. |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Lab |
Lab supporting the learning outcomes and content delivered in lectures. |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Independent study. |
3.0 |
Every Week |
3.00 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.00 |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
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- Paul Scherz and Simon Monk 2016, Practical Electronics for Inventors, 4th Ed., McGraw-Hill Education TAB [ISBN: 9781259587542]
- Simon Monk 2017, Electronics Cookbook: Practical Electronic Recipes with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, 1st Ed., O'Reilly Media [ISBN: 9781491953402]
- David L. Tarnoff 2006, Computer Organization and Design Fundamentals, 1st Ed., Lulu.com [ISBN: 9781411636903]
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
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- John Boxall 2013, Arduino Workshop: A Hands-On Introduction with 65 Projects, 1st Ed., No Starch Press [ISBN: 9781593274481]
- Simon Monk 2016, Raspberry Pi Cookbook: Software and Hardware Problems and Solutions, 2nd Ed., O'Reilly Media [ISBN: 9781491939109]
- Simon Monk 2016, Programming Arduino: Getting Started with Sketches, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill Education TAB [ISBN: 9781259641633]
- Simon Monk 2015, Programming the Raspberry Pi, Second Edition: Getting Started with Python, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill Education TAB [ISBN: 9781259587405]
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
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| Other Resources |
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- Website: Sparkfun Tutorials
- Website: Arduino Home Page
- Website: Raspberry Pi Home Page
- E-book: All About Circuits
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Module Delivered in
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