Academic Year: 2024/25
Assessment Introduction:
Course: BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering
Module Code: EL1205
Module Title: Electronic Engineering Practices
Title of the Brief: Microcontroller Technology Investigation
Type of assessment: Coursework
This Assessment Pack consists of a detailed assignment brief, guidance on what you need to prepare, and information on how class sessions support your ability to complete successfully. You’ll also find information on this page to guide you on how, where, and when to submit. If you need additional support, please make a note of the services detailed in this document.
How, when, and where to submit:
The deadline for this assessment is 6th January 2025 at 23.59 via the submission zone found the EL1205 Blackboard area - Please note that this is the final time you can submit – not the time to submit!
If your work is submitted via the Turnitin link on Blackboard, the link will be visible to you on: 12th December 2024 Feedback will be provided by: 1th April 2025
You should aim to submit your assessment in advance of the deadline.
Note: If you have any valid mitigating circumstances that mean you cannot meet an assessment submission deadline and you wish to request an extension, you will need to apply online, via MyUCLanwith your evidence prior to the deadline. Further information on Mitigating Circumstances viathis link.
We wish you all success in completing your assessment. Read this guidance carefully, and any questions, please discuss with your Module Leader or module team.
Additional Support available:
All links are available through the online Student Hub
1. Academic support for this assessment will be provided by contacting Wei Quan
2. Our Library resources link can be found in the library area of the Student Hub or via your subject librarian at [email protected] .
3. Support with your academic skills development (academic writing, critical thinking and referencing) is available through WISER on the Study Skills section of theStudent Hub.
4. For help with Turnitin, seeBlackboard and Turnitin Supporton the Student Hub
5. If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty, long-term health or mental health condition, and not yet advised us, or would like to review your support, Inclusive Support can assist with reasonable adjustments and support. To find out more, you can visit the Inclusive Support page of the Student Hub.
6. For mental health and wellbeing support, please complete our online referral form, or email wellbeing@uclan.ac.uk . You can also call 01772 893020, attend a drop-in, or visit our UCLan Wellbeing Service Student Hub pagesfor more information.
7. For any other support query, please contact Student Support via [email protected].
8. For consideration of Academic Integrity, please refer to detailed guidelines in ourpolicy document . All assessed work should be genuinely your own work, and all resources fully cited.
9. For this assignment, you are not permitted to use any category of AI tools.
Preparing for your assignment.
Ensure that you fully understand the requirements for the assessment and what you are expected to complete. The assignment will be introduced in the lecture session where you can ask any questions, you can also ask for clarification by contacting the module team.
The following module learning outcomes will be assessed in this assignment:
● Evaluate different technologies of microprocessors and microcontrollers.
● Apply Knowledge of the technologies to electronic systems e.g. smartphones etc.
Please read over the guide to writing a technical document https://www.theiet.org/media/5182/technical-report- writing.pdfand ensure that you fully understand the requirements of the assessment. There will be a lecture session on the assignment and writing a technical document.
Ensure that you research and read into the subject area before writing the report so that you have a good background understanding to the subject area.
Assignment Brief
A microprocessor is a single-chip Central Processing Unit (CPU) typically used in microcomputers. The microprocessor interfaces to a range of other devices including memory, interface adapters, interrupt controllers, timers, etc. The first microprocessor was the Intel 4004, introduced in 1971. Prior to this, processors were designed using discrete components. The Pentium M chips contain around 140 million transistors. The latest Intel i7 chip contains over 1 billion transistors (a six-core device, with approximately 170 million transistors per processor).
A microcontroller is a single chip containing a CPU and additional circuitry such as memory, interface adapters, timers, etc. A microcontroller chip typically provides all the computational resources for the target application.
You are required to investigate both microprocessor and microcontroller technologies, specifically investigating the difference between the two including the internal structure and their uses in the real-world applications. Write a formal report on your findings incorporating the following aspects:
● An outline of the typical applications of the microprocessor and microcontroller.
● A description of the variety of program and data storage systems in the microprocessor and a comparison of different memory types.
● A description of buses which connect the processor, memory and peripherals in a typical microcontroller.
● A description of Harvard architecture of microcontroller, in contrast, this with von Neumann architecture.
● A critical comparison of the microcontroller technologies used in 8051 and ARM, including the core architecture, instruction set, etc.
Word Account : 1500 words (see notes below for further information). Notes
This must be your own work i.e. written in your own words. The only acceptable resources that you can copy directly in your report, with references are illustrations (excluding your diagram of a typical application). When illustrations are used you must explain carefully and thoroughly what they are showing.
For good marks you should produce work that is: accurate; thorough; well-argued; clear, and written in correct (UK) English grammar and spelling. You may include figures and tables with short captions (25 words each) and a list of references without affecting the overall word count.
You must reference all of your sources of information. These should be cited in the appropriate part of the report and fully identified to meet the Harvard referencing standard in a list at the end. Website articles must be properly referenced to be considered as legitimate references.
Word limit: A maximum of 1500 words (see notes below for further information). Technical Report Writing
To complete the report, you will have to thoroughly research the area using reliable sources and precisely reference where your information and statements are from. The aim of the report is to be clear, concise and convey technical information to the reader, note that the reader is familiar and experienced in the area. Ensure that you write your report for this audience.
A guide on writing a technical document can be found at the following (this will also be uploaded to blackboard):
https://www.theiet.org/media/5182/technical-report-writing.pdf
Please read over the above document to ensure that you are clear on what a technical report is and know what you are required to complete, note the above is a guide not an explicit standard you will be required to ensure that your technical report contains the relevant information presented correctly for the reader.
Ensure that you research and read into the subject area before writing the report so that you have a good background understanding to the subject area. You will need to provide a short report, which shows the calculation of each tasks in Marking Criteria and Weighting section below with an appropriate assumption, description and comments, no longer than 1,500 words. You should use the guideline below to structure your report. For the final reporting submission, make sure that each page is marked with the date of completion, the page number, and the total number of pages submitted. Make sure that the front page of your submission has this information displayed prominently along with the module name and number and assignment title. Your work must be referenced using Harvard Referencing system available here: https://v3.pebblepad.co.uk/v3portfolio/uclan/Asset/View/Gm3mmGk6sM3RgHZnjGfh7mm6pM.
Further information to support your development will be available to view on assignment briefing session and Blackboard.
Notes on Wordcount and Referencing
For good marks and given the limited wordcount you should produce work that is: accurate; thorough; well-argued; clear; accurately referenced; relevant and written incorrect (UK) English grammar and spelling. You may include figures and tables with short captions (25 words each) and a list of references without affecting the overall word count. Remember that you have limited words so ensure that you “stick to the point” and do not get into detail on superficial elements.
Ensure that you include references when discussing technical facts and statements on the technology used. You must reference all your sources of information. These should be cited in the appropriate part of the report and fully identified to meet the Harvard referencing standard in a list at the end. Website articles must be properly referenced to be considered as legitimate references.
Presentation of assignment work
Except where specifically stated in the assignment brief, assignment work submissions should be word-processed, in Microsoft Word 2016 format, with a footer comprising: your module code; date; page number.
The following module learning outcomes will be assessed in this assignment:
● Evaluate different technologies of microprocessors and microcontrollers.
● Apply Knowledge of the technologies to electronic systems e.g. smartphones etc.