INTRODUCTION TO SYS 390
COMPUTER INTEGRATION OF SYSTEMS

In this course you will learn how to use computer technology to integrate the components in automated and semiautomated systems. You will use microprocessors and related items of computer technology to perform a variety of tasks. You will design and build simple systems in which microprocessors integrate the sensing, decision making, and actuating functions. In this course you will learn enough about the use of computer technology:

  1. To be conversant in its specialized language (jargon),
  2. To design and build simple computer controlled systems,
  3. To conceive new applications in which computer technology can serve an integrating function, in essentially any field, and
  4. To understand the technological difficulties that will be encountered in developing new applications.
You will not, by the end of the course, be an expert in all (or, perhaps, any) aspects of the integration process. You should, however, know how to become expert.
Course Objectives
Course Conduct
Grade Policy

Course Objectives:

1. To become knowledgeable about computer technology and its role in system integration. Engineers who do not have this understanding are hampered in their ability to conceive, develop, and design effective systems.

2. To learn to function effectively as an engineer; alternatively, to experience and understand the role of engineers in modern society. The steps you use to achieve this objective include:
3. To learn to manage the complexity of computer controlled systems. Complexity can lead to a high failure rate. By experiencing the debugging process, you learn to isolate and eliminate causes of failure (in assumptions, in design, in software, in hardware, etc.) rather than search for those causes linearly or randomly.

Conduct of the Course

There is no textbook for this course. These notes provide the framework. Class lectures will give brief introductions to the diverse technical topics that you will draw upon in your work. The section titled Computer Technology Notes includes much of the reference material that you will need. Pages 10-11 list general references available in the Moore library or from the instructor and specialized references available in the laboratory.

Most of the work of the course lies in the completion of a series of laboratory assignments. You will work in groups of three for these experiments. You will be required to work with at least three different sets of partners over the course of the semester. A laboratory assignment is not complete until it is demonstrated to your instructor with all partners present.

You must submit a group report on each laboratory assignment. Each student is responsible for the timely submission of the report. The report requires the signatures of all partners. Each partner should retain a copy of the report for use during the final laboratory examination. Due dates for reports on each assignment are given on page 6. There will be a reduction in grade for late work.

You will conduct your laboratory experiments in room 127 Towne at your convenience. The laboratory will be open a minimum of 30 hours per week. The lab schedule will be posted on the laboratory door.

The following factors determine your final grade:
The satisfactory and timely completion of experiments
Quizzes and take-home final
A mini-project and its presentation to the class
A final laboratory examination (end of semester)
45 percent
20 percent
10 percent
25 percent

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