VLSI, PLC, Microcontrollers, and Assembly Language
Self-paced videos, Lifetime access, Study material, Certification prep, Technical support, Course Completion Certificate
Uplatz
Summary
- Certificate of completion - Free
- Reed courses certificate of completion - Free
Add to basket or enquire
Overview
Uplatz provides this comprehensive course on VLSI, PLC, Microcontrollers, and Assembly Language. It is a self-paced course with recorded video lectures. You will be awarded Course Completion Certificate at the end of the course.
The technique of producing an integrated circuit (IC) by merging thousands of transistors into a single chip is known as very-large-scale integration (VLSI). When complicated semiconductor and communication technologies were being developed in the 1970s, VLSI was born. A VLSI device is used as the microprocessor. The electronics sector has grown at a breakneck pace in recent decades, thanks to fast developments in large-scale integration technologies and system design applications. The number of uses of integrated circuits (ICs) in high-performance computing, controls, telecommunications, image and video processing, and consumer electronics has increased dramatically since the introduction of very large-scale integration (VLSI) designs.
The PLC collects data from linked sensors or input devices, processes it, and then activates outputs based on preset settings. A PLC can monitor and record run-time data such as machine productivity or operating temperature, start and stop operations automatically, create alerts if a machine fails, and more, depending on the inputs and outputs. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are a versatile and reliable control solution that may be used in practically any situation.
An assembly language is a low-level programming language designed to interface directly with the hardware of a computer. Assembly languages, unlike machine language, which uses binary and hexadecimal letters, are intended to be read by people. In contrast to most high-level programming languages, which are often portable across many platforms, assembly language is a low-level programming language for a computer or other programmable device that is specialised to a single computer architecture. A utility software known as an assembler, such as NASM, MASM, and others, converts assembly language into executable machine code.
VLSI chips are used in practically all digital systems nowadays, therefore knowing contemporary logic architecture is essential for chip manufacture. This course introduces students to the principles of back-end VLSI design as well as numerous computer-aided design (CAD) tools and processes.
Develop abstractions to design and reason about complicated digital systems by learning about MOS transistors and IC manufacturing. Learn how to model and synthesise gates, as well as how to validate complicated hardware and software systems. Examine the most important aspects of VLSI design, including as manufacturing and layout, timing, power reduction, testing, and debugging.
A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. A typical microcontroller includes a processor, memory and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip.
Sometimes referred to as an embedded controller or microcontroller unit (MCU), microcontrollers are found in vehicles, robots, office machines, medical devices, mobile radio transceivers, vending machines and home appliances, among other devices. They are essentially simple miniature personal computers (PCs) designed to control small features of a larger component, without a complex front-end operating system (OS).
How do microcontrollers work?
A microcontroller is embedded inside of a system to control a singular function in a device. It does this by interpreting data it receives from its I/O peripherals using its central processor. The temporary information that the microcontroller receives is stored in its data memory, where the processor accesses it and uses instructions stored in its program memory to decipher and apply the incoming data. It then uses its I/O peripherals to communicate and enact the appropriate action.
Microcontrollers are used in a wide array of systems and devices. Devices often utilize multiple microcontrollers that work together within the device to handle their respective tasks.
For example, a car might have many microcontrollers that control various individual systems within, such as the anti-lock braking system, traction control, fuel injection or suspension control. All the microcontrollers communicate with each other to inform the correct actions. Some might communicate with a more complex central computer within the car, and others might only communicate with other microcontrollers. They send and receive data using their I/O peripherals and process that data to perform their designated tasks.
Curriculum
Course media
Description
VLSI, PLC, Microcontrollers, and Assembly Language - Course Curriculum
- CMOS Technology
- VLSI Introduction
- Basics of Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
- PLC Programming
- Ladder Diagram
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
- Assembly Language for Intel based Computers
- Assembly Language Fundamentals
- Procedures
- Conditional Processing
- Integer Arithmetic
- Advanced Procedures, Strings, Arrays
- Structures and Macros
- 32-bit Windows Programming
- High Level Language Interface and 16-bit MS DOS Programming
- Disk Usage
- Introduction to Microcontrollers
- MSP430 Microcontroller
- AVR Microcontroller
- Computer Systems
- Assembly Language using ATMEL AVR Microcontroller
Microcontroller Features
A microcontroller's processor will vary by application. Options range from the simple 4-bit, 8-bit or 16-bit processors to more complex 32-bit or 64-bit processors. Microcontrollers can use volatile memory types such as random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory types -- this includes flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
Generally, microcontrollers are designed to be readily usable without additional computing components because they are designed with sufficient onboard memory as well as offering pins for general I/O operations, so they can directly interface with sensors and other components.
Microcontroller architecture can be based on the Harvard architecture or von Neumann architecture, both offering different methods of exchanging data between the processor and memory. With a Harvard architecture, the data bus and instruction are separate, allowing for simultaneous transfers. With a Von Neumann architecture, one bus is used for both data and instructions.
When they first became available, microcontrollers solely used assembly language. Today, the C programming language is a popular option. Other common microprocessor languages include Python and JavaScript.
MCUs feature input and output pins to implement peripheral functions. Such functions include analog-to-digital converters, liquid crystal display (LCD) controllers, real-time clock (RTC), universal synchronous/asynchronous receiver transmitter (USART), timers, universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) and universal serial bus (USB) connectivity. Sensors gathering data related to humidity and temperature, among others, are also often attached to microcontrollers.
Microcontroller applications
Microcontrollers are used in multiple industries and applications, including in the home and enterprise, building automation, manufacturing, robotics, automotive, lighting, smart energy, industrial automation, communications and internet of things (IoT) deployments.
One very specific application of a microcontroller is its use as a digital signal processor. Frequently, incoming analog signals come with a certain level of noise. Noise in this context means ambiguous values that cannot be readily translated into standard digital values. A microcontroller can use its ADC and DAC to convert the incoming noisy analog signal into an even outgoing digital signal.
The simplest microcontrollers facilitate the operation of electromechanical systems found in everyday convenience items, such as ovens, refrigerators, toasters, mobile devices, key fobs, video game systems, televisions and lawn-watering systems. They are also common in office machines such as photocopiers, scanners, fax machines and printers, as well as smart meters, ATMs and security systems.
More sophisticated microcontrollers perform critical functions in aircraft, spacecraft, ocean-going vessels, vehicles, medical and life-support systems as well as in robots. In medical scenarios, microcontrollers can regulate the operations of an artificial heart, kidney or other organs. They can also be instrumental in the functioning of prosthetic devices.
Microcontrollers vs. microprocessors
The distinction between microcontrollers and microprocessors has gotten less clear as chip density and complexity has become relatively cheap to manufacture and microcontrollers have thus integrated more "general computer" types of functionality. On the whole, though, microcontrollers can be said to function usefully on their own, with a direct connection to sensors and actuators, where microprocessors are designed to maximize compute power on the chip, with internal bus connections (rather than direct I/O) to supporting hardware such as RAM and serial ports. Simply put, coffee makers use microcontrollers; desktop computers use microprocessors.
Microcontrollers are less expensive and use less power than microprocessors. Microprocessors do not have built-in RAM, read-only memory (ROM) or other peripherals on the chip, but rather attach to these with their pins. A microprocessor can be considered the heart of a computer system, whereas a microcontroller can be considered the heart of an embedded system.
What are the elements of a microcontroller?
The core elements of a microcontroller are:
- The processor (CPU) -- A processor can be thought of as the brain of the device. It processes and responds to various instructions that direct the microcontroller's function. This involves performing basic arithmetic, logic and I/O operations. It also performs data transfer operations, which communicate commands to other components in the larger embedded system.
- Memory -- A microcontroller's memory is used to store the data that the processor receives and uses to respond to instructions that it's been programmed to carry out. A microcontroller has two main memory types:
- Program memory, which stores long-term information about the instructions that the CPU carries out. Program memory is non-volatile memory, meaning it holds information over time without needing a power source.
- Data memory, which is required for temporary data storage while the instructions are being executed. Data memory is volatile, meaning the data it holds is temporary and is only maintained if the device is connected to a power source.
- I/O peripherals -- The input and output devices are the interface for the processor to the outside world. The input ports receive information and send it to the processor in the form of binary data. The processor receives that data and sends the necessary instructions to output devices that execute tasks external to the microcontroller.
This course is for people who wish to master the fundamentals of assembly programming from the ground up. This lesson will provide you with a solid foundation in assembly programming, allowing you to go to greater levels of skill. You need have a basic grasp of computer programming terms before starting this lesson. A solid familiarity of any programming language can aid you in grasping Assembly programming ideas and advancing quickly through the learning process.
Who is this course for?
Everyone
Requirements
Passion and determination to achieve your goals!
Career path
- Microcontroller based Embedded Systems Developer
- Embedded Software Engineer (Microcontrollers)
- Principal Software Engineer
- Senior Systems Engineer
- FPGA/ASIC Design Engineer
- Engineering Manager (VLSI)
- VLSI Design Team Leader
- Microcontroller & PLCs Programmer
- Electronics Engineer
- Digital Systems Designer
- CMOS & VLSI Specialist
- Microprocessor & Microcontroller Engineer
- Lead Systems Engineer
Questions and answers
Currently there are no Q&As for this course. Be the first to ask a question.
Certificates
Certificate of completion
Digital certificate - Included
Course Completion Certificate by Uplatz
Reed courses certificate of completion
Digital certificate - Included
Will be downloadable when all lectures have been completed
Reviews
Currently there are no reviews for this course. Be the first to leave a review.
Add to basket or enquire
Course provided by
Legal information
This course is advertised on reed.co.uk by the Course Provider, whose terms and conditions apply. Purchases are made directly from the Course Provider, and as such, content and materials are supplied by the Course Provider directly. Reed is acting as agent and not reseller in relation to this course. Reed's only responsibility is to facilitate your payment for the course. It is your responsibility to review and agree to the Course Provider's terms and conditions and satisfy yourself as to the suitability of the course you intend to purchase. Reed will not have any responsibility for the content of the course and/or associated materials.
