Capstone: Connected Embedded Product
This capstone course serves as the culminating experience for students in the A.A.S. Embedded Systems Engineering Technology program. Students will work individually or in small teams to design, implement, and test a complex embedded system that incorporates connectivity features, such as IoT integration, wireless communication protocols, or network-based control. The project lifecycle will span from initial concept and requirements definition, through hardware selection, software development, integration testing, and final demonstration. Emphasis is placed on practical application of theoretical knowledge, problem-solving, and professional communication. The course requires students to apply knowledge from microcontrollers, digital signal processing, operating systems, real-time systems, and various communication protocols. Students will develop a detailed project plan, manage their time and resources effectively, and document their work comprehensively. A significant component of the course involves presenting the project's progress and final outcome through written reports, technical demonstrations, and oral presentations, simulating real-world engineering project delivery. Successful completion demonstrates readiness for entry-level embedded systems engineering roles.
Prerequisites
Course outline
Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.
Syllabus
## EMB 299: Capstone: Connected Embedded Product ### Course Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. **Analyze and Define Project Requirements:** Translate a high-level concept into detailed functional and non-functional requirements for a connected embedded system. 2. **Design System Architecture:** Develop a comprehensive hardware and software architecture for a connected embedded product, considering trade-offs, constraints, and connectivity options. 3. **Implement Embedded Software:** Write, debug, and optimize firmware for a microcontroller-based system, incorporating real-time operating system concepts and communication protocols. 4. **Integrate Hardware and Software:** Successfully integrate selected hardware components with developed software, including sensor interfacing, actuator control, and connectivity modules. 5. **Implement Connectivity Solutions:** Design and implement robust communication methods (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, LoRa, MQTT) to enable product connectivity and data exchange. 6. **Test and Validate System Performance:** Develop and execute test plans to verify system functionality, performance, and reliability under various conditions. 7. **Document and Present Engineering Work:** Create professional technical documentation (design specifications, user manuals, test reports) and deliver effective oral presentations of project progress and final demonstration. ### Weekly Topic List * **Week 1:** Introduction to Capstone Projects; Project Scoping & Brainstorming Connected Product Ideas * **Week 2:** Requirements Analysis & Specification; Choosing Your Platform and Connectivity Method * **Week 3:** System Architecture Design (Hardware & Software); Component Selection * **Week 4:** Project Planning & Prototyping Strategy; Tools and Development Environments Setup * **Week 5:** Embedded Software Development - Core Functionality I; RTOS Integration (if applicable) * **Week 6:** Embedded Software Development - Core Functionality II; Driver Development * **Week 7:** Implementing Connectivity - Network Protocols & Communication Stacks * **Week 8:** Data Handling, Cloud Integration, and Remote Control Concepts * **Week 9:** Mid-Project Review & Design Refinement; Troubleshooting Early Integrations * **Week 10:** System Integration & Testing I; Debugging Connectivity Issues * **Week 11:** System Integration & Testing II; Performance Optimization * **Week 12:** Project Validation & Final Testing; User Interface/Experience Development * **Week 13:** Comprehensive Midterm Review; Project Documentation & Presentation Preparation * **Week 14:** Final Review; Project Demonstration & Final Report Submission ### Grading Policy * Knowledge Checks: 15% * Assignments/Labs: 30% * Quizzes: 25% * Final Exam: 30% ### Required Materials * Selected Microcontroller Development Kit (e.g., ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi Pico W) * Various Sensors and Actuators (project dependent) * Breadboard, jumper wires, passive components * Digital Multimeter, Oscilloscope (virtual or physical) * Integrated Development Environment (IDE) compatible with chosen platform * Version Control System (e.g., Git) access * Internet access for cloud services/APIs (project dependent)