Enhancing System Development learning by applying Real-Time Operating System concepts through connecting courses
Shrishail Pattanashetti, Rohini Hongal, Prabhavathi C. Nissimagoudar, Supriya Katwe, Preeti S. Pillai, Bhagyashree Kinnal, Nalini C. Iyer · 2021 World Engineering Education Forum/Global Engineering Deans Council (WEEF/GEDC) · 2021
The concepts of Real-time Operating Systems (RTOS) are an essential part of an embedded systems track in the Electronics and Communication Engineering curriculum. The current trend in embedded software development demands the implementation of RTOS theories on target hardware for achieving real-time embedded system applications. In order to enhance the skill-set of designing and implementing RTOS-specific embedded applications, two courses of consecutive semesters are considered. In this paper, we propose new pedagogy for strengthening the skills required to develop embedded software for real-time applications. The two courses considered for study area ARM Processor and its applications followed by Operating System and Embedded Systems. To create an embedded system application, these two courses are linked with two different software approaches on a common hardware platform. Hence, the knowledge of hardware architecture and embedded software design in one semester is effectively applied while developing RTOS-based applications in the subsequent semester. This extended activity designed for both courses assisted the students in learning and applying embedded real-time concepts for the development of a real-time embedded prototype. This method of connecting two courses and assessment strategy has improved student performance in the subsequent semester.