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What is a Microcontroller?
Computer on a Chip
Microprocessor
Input / Output
RAM and/or ROM
Signal Processing
Microcontrollers Are Everywhere
Automotive Manufacturing Robotics Medical Aeronautics Mobile Devices
ECE 251 – Microprocessors Taught with a
Freescale Microcontroller
MC68HC12 Development Board
$80 Per Board $30 Covered By ECE
Department $50 Cost to Students
Texas Instruments MSP430
Popular TI Microcontroller Low Cost ~ $20 Portable USB Interface Same Relevant Features
as the Freescale Product Superior Development
Software For Students
Why Switch?
Freescale $80 Per Student Aging RS232
Interface CISC Architecture
Lots of instructions
Text Based Development Interface
TI MSP430 $20 Per Student Commonplace USB
Interface RISC Architecture
Few Instructions
Windows Style Visual Development Interface
Development of Labs
Group redesigned labs 3-10 of ECE 251 for use with TI-MSP430
Miguel completed labs 3, 7, 8 & 9 We completed 4, 5, 6 & 10 Also 2 practical exams We revised Miguel’s labs extensively
and wrote solutions Made the labs ready for student use
ECE 251 MSP430 Labs
Lab 3 – Introduction to the MSP430 Lab 4 – Addressing Modes Lab 5 – Subroutines and the Stack Lab 6 – BCD Math Lab 7 – Parallel I/O Lab 8 – Interrupts Lab 9 – Timer Module Lab 10 – A/D Converter
Working With Students
All inexperienced as TAs Had to learn to communicate with
studentsBeing clear about required assignmentsDifferent perspective when writing labs
Had to learn to teach effectively
Issues We Faced No keyboard/console capability (Lab 4) RISC vs. CISC architecture (Lab 6,
Lab 10) Clock inaccuracy (Lab 9) Fewer I/O pins (Lab 10) USB tool only worked on installed
computer
Solutions to Issues
Focused on what MSP430 does have Provided subroutines to students Experimented with different ways to
output to 7-segment display Considered ways to integrate labs
What Didn’t Go So Well
MiscommunicationMeeting timesWhen assignments were due
Students had trouble being responsible for both microcontrollers
What Went Well Gained experience with the MSP430
which will be applied to design project Students enjoyed flexibility of USB Able to use material from the 68HC12
labs Completed lab set if transition is made
(course needs textbook)
What Went Well (Cont.) Interest from Rice University More intuitive development tool Invitation to present at TI developers
conference session on Education Working with Dr. Eads
Future Plans
Design of a self-setting clock which makes use of the WWVB radio signalLocated in Ft. CollinsTransmits to entire US including Alaska and
Hawaii
Makes use of several ECE conceptsAnalog DesignCommunicationsMicrocontrollers
WWVB Broadcast signal cycles every minute Signal contains the following time information
TimeDateDaylight savingsLeap year warningLeap second warning
Design Phase Overview
Receiver/Amplifier
Decoder Clock Display
TI-MSP430
Local Temperature
Sensing
RF remote Temperature
sensing
Extras, Time permitting
Solar Power
Generation
Alarm Capabilities
Design Phase Details
Build receiver circuit for pulse width modulated 60kHz signal
Program MSP430Decode data signalSet clockControl clock time during normal operationAllow for manual setting and time zone
adjustmentOutput to display
Budget
Had no operating costs during semesterApproximate donation of $700 from Texas
Instruments in microcontrollers and development kits
Still have $300 remaining in budget for design phase
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Texas Instruments for the hardware donations
Miguel MoralesHelp getting startedGave assistance when needed
Dr. Bill EadsProvided guidance and practical perspectiveBurgers, brats, beer , fishing & kayaking
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