This course is focused on cyber physical systems with emphasis on real-time issues. Cyber physical systems are integrations of computation and communication with physical processes. Embedded computers monitor and control physical processes in real-time. As these embedded computers are increasingly networked, it is believed that there will be a revolutionary transformation. Just as personal computers have transformed from word processors to global communications devices for information gathering and sharing, embedded computers will change from small self-contained systems to cyber-physical systems by sensing, monitoring, controlling our physical environment. The course is to study principles, methods, and techniques for building cyber-physical systems that are safety critical. Topics will include requirements, mental models, assurance cases, hazard analysis, real-time programming and communication, verification and validation, and evidence-based certification. The course will include a series of projects that will implement safety-critical embedded systems.
There will be several homework assignments, two exams, and a term project. A significant component of the evaluation will be based on the design and implementation of the term project.