This course teaches principles of C programming language, with special focus in important aspects for embedded devices such as memory allocation, bitwise operations, reading/writing data from registers and data serialization. However, this course uses a PC or workstation to compile, run and execute the code.
Course contents
- Overview of computer architecture and CPU
- Introduction to embedded systems
- Data representation and memory management
- Introduction to C programming: variables, function, control structures, pointers and data structures
- Bitwise operations: reading/writing values from registers
- Compiling environment: libraries and makefiles
Learning outcomes
After completing the course you
- understand the basics of computer architecture and CPU operations
- are able to describe how data is stored in a computer using different representation formats, and how operate with data at a low level (byte)
- can implement simple C programs using a workstation
- are able to interpret information from a sensor datasheet and write code to read/write in its registers
- can create simple makefiles.
Course material and technologies
- Online material can be found in the Lovelace learning environment. Click here to enter the learning environment.
- Search under the headline FITech: “Introduction to C programming for embedded devices FITECH 3 ECTS”
- Students need to install a C development environment in their own computer. All software is free and can be downloaded from internet. More instructions will be provided along with the documentation of the course.
Teaching schedule
The course is completed fully online by reading documentation and completing small programming exercises that are automatically checked. There are no deadlines, and you can complete the course on your own pace.
Completion methods
- Completing a set of programming exercises and multiple choice test that will be automatically checked.
- Documentation and exercises can be found both in Finnish and English. Communication language with teacher is preferably English.
More information in the University of Oulu study guide.
You can get a digital badge after completing this course.