An integrated approach to teaching embedded systems early in the curriculum — Flip flops to PONG

To develop the next generation of embedded real-time reactive systems, product designers will need mixed software-hardware methodologies. This will require computer scientists and engineers that are well versed with the diverse range of skills required. Within this paper a teaching approach is detailed that combines, at an early level in the curriculum, an FPGA-based approach to teach digital logic design, and an MSP430 based microcontroller section to introduce embedded software development. This integrated teaching approach is shown to raise the students´ interest and understanding of hardware and software development and their integration.