CIS 540: Principles of Embedded Computation, Spring 2013

Logistics

Introduction

This course is focused on principles underlying design and analysis of computational elements that interact with the physical environment. Increasingly, such embedded computers are everywhere, from smart cameras to medical devices to automobiles. While the classical theory of computation focuses on the function that a program computes, to understand embedded computation, we need to focus on the reactive nature of the interaction of a component with its environement via inputs and outputs, the continuous dynamics of the physical world, different ways of communication among components, and requirements concerning safety, timeliness, stability, and performance. Developing tools for approaching design, analysis, and implementation of embedded systems in a principled manner is an active research area. This course will attempt to give students a coherent introduction to this emerging area.

Prerequisites

This course assumes mathematical maturity, commensurate with either ESE 210 (Introduction to Dynamical Systems), or CIS 262 (Introduction to Theory of Computation). It is suitable for students who have undergraduate degree in computer science, or computer engineering, or electrical engineering. It is also suitable for Penn undergraduates in CSCI and CMPE as an upper-level elective.

Topics

Grading

Schedule and Course Notes

Comments on the textbook draft are most welcome (typos, errors, suggestions for improving the explanation/presentation). Email your comments to alur@cis.

Relevant Textbooks

The closest match is Introduction to Embedded Systems -- A Cyber-Physical Systems Approach by E.A. Lee and S.A. Seshia. (see online version) Our course/notes cover fewer topics in greater theoretical depth.

Following books are also relevant for supplementary reading for different chapters:

Relevant Modeling and Analysis Software

Notes

Maintained by Rajeev Alur