LFU:online

In this lecture we will discuss aspects of low-​power design as a first class citizen introducing key concepts in computer architecture, wireless communication, sensing as well as modeling and measurement techniques. Focus is mainly on the design of networked embedded systems but of course equally applicable to many other classes of systems.

The lecture will be held as a hands-​on, experimentation focused class with the large part of the semester devoted to implementing a sensor networking challenge in small groups. 

Designing systems with a low energy footprint is an increasingly important topic. There are many applications for low-​power systems ranging from miniature sensors powered by ambient energy, mobile devices powered from batteries such as today's smart phones to energy efficient household appliances and datacenters. Key drivers are to be found mainly in the tremendous increase of mobile devices and the growing integration density requiring to carefully reason about power, both from a provision and consumption viewpoint. Traditional circuit design classes introduce low-​power solely from a hardware perspective with a focus on the power performance of a single or at most a hand full of circuit elements. Similarly, low-​power aspects are touched in a multitude of other classes, mostly as a side topic. However in successfully designing systems with a low energy footprint it is not sufficient to only look at low-​power as an aspect of second class. In modern low-​power system design advanced CMOS circuits are of course a key ingredient but successful low-​power integration involves many more disciplines such as system architecture, different sources of energy as well as storage and most importantly software and algorithms.

Class time is split in two halves. In the first half engineering fundamentals and some pertinent literature are introduced. In the second half of the class we will learn to program and debug microcontroller based applications, network them and implement a simple albeit challenging "sense and send" style application based on a common specification in groups of 2 or 3 students. At the end of the lecture the approaches devised by each student group as well as the prototypes implemented will be evaluated in a test and measurement challenge.

class participation, presentation of group project, prototype evaluation, 15 min oral examination

will be distributed in class

Computer architecture, networks, (low level) C-coding skills, basics physics knowledge, circuit design is helpful

This lecture is held at Fuerstenweg 176.