The course focuses on low level programming of embedded systems in assembly and C. The course also focuses on power saving techniques. In the exercises the EFM32 Giant Gecko is used.
Assembly, Memory Mapped GPIO, Power Saving, Interrupt Handling, Deep Sleep
In exercise 1 the group programmed the gecko to utilize a controller connected to the processor through the General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) ports. The processor reads the input from the buttons through the memory mapped GPIO interface and lights up LEDs on the same controller through the GPIO interface. In the exercise there are produced two different versions of the program where the improved version focuses on power saving. Both solutions are written entirely in assembly for ARM.
C, DAC
Exercise 2 is mainly about writing readable and effective code in the programming language C. The group programmed the gecko to take input from an external controller and play music or sounds on the geckos DAC. Like in exercise 1 the GPIO is memory mapped, there is focus on writing energy efficient code and both a baseline, busy-waiting version as well as an improved version using interrupts and deep sleeps are produced.
C, Linux Kernal, Programming a hardware driver, Graphics, Game
In exercise 3 the assignment was to create a game. The game is written in the language C, but this time, instead of bare bone C like in exercise 2, the program is running on top of a linux kernal. Part of the assignment is to create a driver for the game pad, in the game code the communication with the external controller will be executed through the driver created by the group. As always, good practice regarding code is weighted as well as power consumption tweaks where possible.