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An Embedded Systems Course for Engineering Students Using Open-Source Platforms in Wireless Scenarios | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore

An Embedded Systems Course for Engineering Students Using Open-Source Platforms in Wireless Scenarios


Abstract:

This paper presents a case study analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of using project-based learning (PBL) combined with collaborative learning (CL) and industry b...Show More

Abstract:

This paper presents a case study analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of using project-based learning (PBL) combined with collaborative learning (CL) and industry best practices, integrated with information communication technologies, open-source software, and open-source hardware tools, in a specialized microcontroller and embedded systems engineering Master's course. In addition to addressing industry requirements in both contents and methodology, the course develops capabilities and competencies in problem solving, independent learning, teamwork, and technical knowledge. Since PBL methodology alone does not ensure teamwork, it was complemented with CL. Design review meetings (as described in IEC 61160), deliverables, and organizational resources were also introduced to mirror industry demands. This structure integrated course content and student academic achievement in a simulated industrial environment. The course had students build a modular management system for home appliances, implementing control software on the “Arduino” open-source platform, as well as using wireless communications. The results show that teaching, learning, and student assessment processes can be improved by using PBL with CL. In addition, the introduction of industry practices, such us peer review meetings, brings academia closer to a real-world context.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Education ( Volume: 59, Issue: 4, November 2016)
Page(s): 248 - 254
Date of Publication: 29 February 2016

ISSN Information:

Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
M. C. Rodriguez-Sanchez received the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
She is a Computer Scientist, with an interest in human–computer interaction projects, wireless systems, mobile services, context-aware services, and bioengineering. She is currently an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, where she is also the Head of differe...Show More
M. C. Rodriguez-Sanchez received the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
She is a Computer Scientist, with an interest in human–computer interaction projects, wireless systems, mobile services, context-aware services, and bioengineering. She is currently an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, where she is also the Head of differe...View more
Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
Angel Torrado-Carvajal (S'08) received the Master's degree in telecommunication engineering (with high honors) from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, in 2012.
He is currently a Computer Engineer, with an interest in mobile and telecommunication systems, and a Telecommunications Engineer working on mobile technology, biomedical, and bioengineering with the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.
Angel Torrado-Carvajal (S'08) received the Master's degree in telecommunication engineering (with high honors) from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, in 2012.
He is currently a Computer Engineer, with an interest in mobile and telecommunication systems, and a Telecommunications Engineer working on mobile technology, biomedical, and bioengineering with the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.View more
Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
Joaquin Vaquero received the Ph.D. degree in industrial engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
He is an Industrial Engineer, with an interest in electronics for wireless systems, sensors, control, and actuating, in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, where he is currently an Assistant Professor and the Head of the Laboratory of Digital Circuit Design and...Show More
Joaquin Vaquero received the Ph.D. degree in industrial engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
He is an Industrial Engineer, with an interest in electronics for wireless systems, sensors, control, and actuating, in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, where he is currently an Assistant Professor and the Head of the Laboratory of Digital Circuit Design and...View more
Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
Susana Borromeo (M'09) received the Ph.D. degree in industrial engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
She is an Industrial Engineer, with an interest in electronics for wireless systems, biomedical imaging, and bioengineering, in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, where she is currently the Head of different projects related to bioengineering in the Div...Show More
Susana Borromeo (M'09) received the Ph.D. degree in industrial engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
She is an Industrial Engineer, with an interest in electronics for wireless systems, biomedical imaging, and bioengineering, in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, where she is currently the Head of different projects related to bioengineering in the Div...View more
Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
Juan A. Hernandez-Tamames received the Ph.D. degree in physics from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
He is a Bioengineer and a Physicist, with an interest in electronics for context-aware services, biomedical image and signal processing, functional magnetic resonance image analysis, medical image management, and electronics for bioengineering. He is currently the Head of the Medical Image Analysis Labor...Show More
Juan A. Hernandez-Tamames received the Ph.D. degree in physics from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
He is a Bioengineer and a Physicist, with an interest in electronics for context-aware services, biomedical image and signal processing, functional magnetic resonance image analysis, medical image management, and electronics for bioengineering. He is currently the Head of the Medical Image Analysis Labor...View more

Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
M. C. Rodriguez-Sanchez received the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
She is a Computer Scientist, with an interest in human–computer interaction projects, wireless systems, mobile services, context-aware services, and bioengineering. She is currently an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, where she is also the Head of different projects for accessibility, location, and guidance services in the Division of Industrial Electronics and Wireless Applications.
M. C. Rodriguez-Sanchez received the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
She is a Computer Scientist, with an interest in human–computer interaction projects, wireless systems, mobile services, context-aware services, and bioengineering. She is currently an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, where she is also the Head of different projects for accessibility, location, and guidance services in the Division of Industrial Electronics and Wireless Applications.View more
Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
Angel Torrado-Carvajal (S'08) received the Master's degree in telecommunication engineering (with high honors) from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, in 2012.
He is currently a Computer Engineer, with an interest in mobile and telecommunication systems, and a Telecommunications Engineer working on mobile technology, biomedical, and bioengineering with the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.
Angel Torrado-Carvajal (S'08) received the Master's degree in telecommunication engineering (with high honors) from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, in 2012.
He is currently a Computer Engineer, with an interest in mobile and telecommunication systems, and a Telecommunications Engineer working on mobile technology, biomedical, and bioengineering with the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.View more
Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
Joaquin Vaquero received the Ph.D. degree in industrial engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
He is an Industrial Engineer, with an interest in electronics for wireless systems, sensors, control, and actuating, in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, where he is currently an Assistant Professor and the Head of the Laboratory of Digital Circuit Design and Electronic Technology of the “Madrid R&D” Network of Laboratories.
Joaquin Vaquero received the Ph.D. degree in industrial engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
He is an Industrial Engineer, with an interest in electronics for wireless systems, sensors, control, and actuating, in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, where he is currently an Assistant Professor and the Head of the Laboratory of Digital Circuit Design and Electronic Technology of the “Madrid R&D” Network of Laboratories.View more
Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
Susana Borromeo (M'09) received the Ph.D. degree in industrial engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
She is an Industrial Engineer, with an interest in electronics for wireless systems, biomedical imaging, and bioengineering, in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, where she is currently the Head of different projects related to bioengineering in the Division of Industrial Electronics and Wireless Applications.
Susana Borromeo (M'09) received the Ph.D. degree in industrial engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
She is an Industrial Engineer, with an interest in electronics for wireless systems, biomedical imaging, and bioengineering, in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain, where she is currently the Head of different projects related to bioengineering in the Division of Industrial Electronics and Wireless Applications.View more
Department of Electronics, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
Juan A. Hernandez-Tamames received the Ph.D. degree in physics from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
He is a Bioengineer and a Physicist, with an interest in electronics for context-aware services, biomedical image and signal processing, functional magnetic resonance image analysis, medical image management, and electronics for bioengineering. He is currently the Head of the Medical Image Analysis Laboratory of the “Madrid R&D” Network of Laboratories in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Juan A. Hernandez-Tamames received the Ph.D. degree in physics from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
He is a Bioengineer and a Physicist, with an interest in electronics for context-aware services, biomedical image and signal processing, functional magnetic resonance image analysis, medical image management, and electronics for bioengineering. He is currently the Head of the Medical Image Analysis Laboratory of the “Madrid R&D” Network of Laboratories in the Department of Electronics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.View more
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