Embedded systems laboratory

The Embedded Systems Laboratory at UAMT FEI STU has gradually evolved over the years from its original home at the Department of Automation and Control where we started working with microprocessor systems based on Slovak clones of the famous Intel 8035 and Intel MCS-480 single-chip microcontrollers produced in Tesla Piešťany in 1988. The development workstation consisted of a cross compiler running on an SM4-20 computer, an EPROM memory programmer, and a lubricator. We also had development briefcase systems PMI-80, SM-8035, etc.

As time went on, we worked with microcomputers of the Intel MCS-51 family - the de facto industry standard 8051, and the development facility grew to include development kits for the Siemens 80C552, Motorola 68HC11 processors, and memory programmers, EPROM simulator, a circuit emulator for the x51, x552, and other processors. As one of the first workplaces we started to work with C language compiler for Motorola processors.

About us

At the moment we can work with the 8-bit processors Intel x51, Microchip AVR family, Microchip PIC family as well as 32-bit processors of various ARM families. We also have development resources for the popular Arduino, Raspberry Pi or micro:bit platforms.

In addition to the usual equipment of simulators and computers with the necessary software, we have a parallel universal programmer ELNEC (more than 1000 different types of circuits), oscilloscopes with UART, i2c and SPI bus analyzers, JTAG interface and other unique devices.

The lab collaborates with chip manufacturers NxP and ON Semiconductor, who provide us with chip samples for students.

Additional information about the instrumentation and tutorials can be found on [separate page].

Laboratory activities: Embedded systems and their interconnection, programming and integration. Design and construction of electronic devices. Sensors, smart sensors and primary information processing. Digital Digital technologies and rapid prototyping.

Lectures for students

• Embedded systems (in Slovak)
• Návrh elektronických zariadení (NAVEZ)|Design of electronic devices (in Slovak)
• Elektronické systémy automobilov (ELSA)|Automotive electronic systems (in Slovak)
• MEMS smart sensors and actuators (in Slovak)
• Digital Manufacturing Technologies (in Slovak)

Selection of projects from the lab

• Acrob - original development board, Arduino compatible
• Mexle - original development platform, in cooperation with FH Heilbronn, Germany

Selected list of publications:

• Richard Balogh: Acrob - an Educational Robotic Platform, AT&P Journal Plus magazine, November, 2010. Vol. 10(2), pp. 6-9. [Abstract] [BibTeX] [PDF]
• Richard Balogh: Laboratory exercises with Acrob robot, In: Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Robotics in Education (RiE 2011)., pp. 41-46. Vienna, Austria. [Abstract] [BibTeX] [PDF]
• Gruhler, Gerhard, et al. Active learning in engineering-MEXLE an open source lab-in-a-box system for students in electrical engineering, electronics, signal processing and programming classes. EDULEARN2019, Palma de Mallorca, Spain (2019).

What is the embedded system?

Let's say it's a specialized computer system, usually single-purpose, often working in real-time. It tends to be part of a larger device containing mechanical parts in addition to electronics and software. Unlike a general-purpose computer, such as a PC, which can perform hundreds of loose tasks depending on the software, embedded systems work with a fixed program.

The definition is not settled, a few other suitable ones can be found here: http://www.google.com/search?q=define:Embedded+system

Perhaps examples of real-world applications that we consider to be nested serve better as definitions:

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  Quantum hard disk controller.
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  Cummins engine controller unit.
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  Cash box Qex controller unit
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  3-phase BLDC motor controller
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  Electronic ballast
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  School education system with Atmel AVR ATmega32
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  PUMA 600 robot controller
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  ADSL modem Netgear DG632
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  LEGO Mindstorms kit - processor and sensors
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  Vehicle computer Microspace MPCX 47
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  Procesor Javelin Stamp
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  Procesor Basic Stamp II

Development tools

When developing embedded systems, firmware is usually created on a general-purpose computer using so-called cross-compilers. A wide range of development tools are available:

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  USB programmer, LPT programmer and JTAG interface
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  Atmel Dragon programmer and JTAG debugger
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  Atmel AVR Studio IDE with integrated simulator
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  Xilinx CPLD development environment

Some other sites and information can also be found here: http://uamt.fei.stuba.sk/kega/vysledky-pracoviska.html