General Notes

Students will engage in a blended learning approach that combines theoretical study, software development, and collaborative discussions during lectures. Workshop sessions will provide opportunities for applying and validating skills in theory, software implementation, and problem-solving. In this unit, students are expected to:

1. Actively participate in lectures by attending, taking comprehensive notes, and engaging in discussions.
2. Attend your workshop or practical sessions, and actively seek feedback from your lecturer regarding your assignments.
3. Engage with the assigned readings, supplementing your notes and formulating questions for further clarification during discussions with your lecturer or tutor.
4. Thoughtfully craft responses to tutorial questions, demonstrating a deep understanding of the material.
5. Dedicate time to complete any assigned tasks or projects within the given timeframe.

Attendance and Participation Guidelines

It is strongly advised to attend the majority of classes, actively participate in discussions, ask and answer questions, and share perspectives from your background and workplace. Supplementary resources, including lecture materials and digital recordings of lectures, are available for review purposes and in the event of missed classes. These resources can be accessed through Echo360 via an iLearn login. However, it is essential to note that these recordings should not be solely relied upon, and copyrighted material may be excluded. For effective out-of-class communication and engaging in discussions on various topics, iLearn is the primary platform. Accessible through iLearn, the platform offers forums for active participation and serves as a valuable resource for disseminating information. Regularly reviewing iLearn and conducting background reading before each class is highly encouraged to enhance your overall learning experience.

Assignment Submission

Your assignment is to be submitted online using iLearn.

Release Dates

• Assignment 1 (Data Processing in Real-Time Operating Systems): To be released no later than 10th August.
• Assignment 2 (Applications of Real-Time Operating Systems): To be released no later than 14th September.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.  For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration. 

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted

• Assignment 1 (Applications of Real-Time Operating Systems) - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
• Assignment 2 (Data Processing in Real-Time Operating Systems) - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
• Lab Report - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies

Supplementary Exam

If you receive Special Consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled after the normal exam period, following the release of marks. By making a special consideration application for the final exam, you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit, you must achieve a total mark equal or greater than 50%. This unit does not have hurdle assessments.

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable, and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through connect.mq.edu.au

Delivery Time

COMP8291 is taught via lectures and tutorial/workshop sessions. Lectures are scheduled on Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, followed by workshops from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the same day. This attendance policy underscores the interactive and real-time nature of the learning experience, encouraging students to actively participate in lectures and workshops for an optimal educational outcome.

Week 1 Classes

In Week 1, only the lecture session will take place, covering Introduction to Real-Time Operating Systems. Workshops will commence from Week 2.

Lectures

The lecture sessions for COMP8291 are dedicated to exploring real-time operating systems (RTOS) through a blend of theoretical concepts and hands-on applications, particularly utilizing the STM32 microcontroller. This approach aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the internal workings and design principles of RTOS, with a focus on their practical implementation in building embedded systems for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Various RTOS simulation software tools, including STM32 Cube and FreeRTOS, will be employed throughout the unit to support the learning process. Lecture sessions will lay the foundation for grasping RTOS intricacies, and this knowledge will be put into practice during workshops. The workshops will involve running and porting the FreeRTOS Real-Time Operating System on STM32-based Microcontrollers.

While lecture notes will be provided weekly, viewing them as a guide rather than a substitute for personal notes or the recommended reading list is essential. Students are encouraged to engage with the material actively, supplementing their understanding through the provided lecture notes, personal notes, and the suggested reading list for each week. This proactive approach will contribute to a robust comprehension of the syllabus topics and enhance the overall learning experience in real-time operating systems.

Assignments

Students are allotted a four-week timeframe to complete each assignment, emphasizing a structured and thorough approach to their work. Assignments 1 and 2 contribute 40% of each assignment to the overall course grade. Evaluation criteria for assignments encompass three key components: First, the complexity of the designed programming application will be assessed to determine the level of innovation and technical challenge demonstrated by the student. Second, the student’s understanding of the assignment will be evaluated through their presentation, focusing on how clearly and effectively they communicate their approach and insights. Finally, comprehension of the Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) concept will be assessed through the project report, which should follow the provided template to ensure consistency and depth in the explanation. The completed report is then to be submitted through the designated system. Additionally, one week after the submission deadline, you will have the opportunity to present your work. This presentation is a platform to showcase your understanding of the material and the practical applications of RTOS programming concepts.

Assignment 1 is due by 11:55 PM on Sunday, 14th September (the end of Week 7), while Assignment 2 is due by 11:55 PM on Sunday, 26th October (the end of Week 11). Both assignments involve tackling real-world problems through the lens of Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) programming. Throughout these assignments, you will delve into problem-solving cases around RTOS programming. The objective is to enable you to apply the theoretical concepts you've learned using one of the widely recognized commercial open-source RTOS platforms.

Workshop

The workshop sessions will be conducted onsite over 12 meetings, running from Week 2 to Week 13. From Week 2 to Week 11, students will focus on completing practical modules designed to build their skills in embedded systems and Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS). Weeks 12 and 13 are reserved for make-up sessions, which are available only to students who were unable to attend earlier workshops. Each student may attend a maximum of two make-up classes. These sessions offer valuable hands-on experience, and students are required to submit a report summarizing the lab work completed at the end of the session. The workshop component accounts for 20% of the overall assessment.

Course Reading Material Information 

Please be aware that there isn't a single textbook covering all the content for this unit. However, your lecturer will provide comprehensive reading materials and detailed notes corresponding to each week's lecture topics. These resources will be provided every week for your convenience. It's essential to note that purchasing these books is not obligatory; their inclusion is based on individual preferences and needs. Students are encouraged to evaluate their requirements and determine whether acquiring these supplementary resources aligns with their learning preferences and objectives.

1. Jim Cooling, "Real-time Operating Systems Book 1," ISBN: 1795340657
2. Jim Cooling, "Real-time Operating Systems Book 2 - The Practice: Using STM Cube, FreeRTOS and the STM32 Discovery Board: 1," ISBN: 1973409933

Methods of Communication: Our primary means of communication will be through your university email and announcements on iLearn. It is crucial to consistently check your university email for important updates and information related to the course. Additionally, significant announcements will be posted on iLearn, a centralized platform for accessing vital details about the course. Should you have any queries or require assistance from the teaching staff, including the unit convenor, you have two communication channels. Firstly, you can post your questions on the iLearn discussion board, providing an interactive space for instructors and peers to engage in discussions. Alternatively, you may send emails to the corresponding addresses of the teaching staff using your university email address for official communication. Through these communication methods, we aim to ensure effective and timely dissemination of information and provide the necessary support throughout the course.

We value student feedback to be able to continually improve the way we offer our units. As such we encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to the teaching staff directly, or via the FSE Student Experience & Feedback link in the iLearn page. Student feedback from the previous offering of this unit was very positive overall, with students pleased with the clarity around assessment requirements and the level of support from teaching staff. As such, no change to the delivery of the unit is planned, however we will continue to strive to improve the level of support and the level of student engagement.