PC Architecture using C Programming ELEX 3318

This course is primarily designed to improve programming skills using structured programming. Students will be expected to develop an algorithm with flowcharts before implementing the solution in C code. As well, selected topics in computer design are presented and a project in schematic/pcb design is done.

Review of C Programming

• Be able to write a C program to solve a problem using standard subroutines and control structures including:
• Creating algorithms.
• Functions: using and passing variables.
• Data types including constants, individual variables, and arrays.
• Logical versus bitwise operators (ie. || vs |)
• Const and static modifiers and variable scope.

Multi-File Projects

• Be able to generate efficient solutions with reusable modules including:
• Preprocessor directives (ie. #define, #include)
• Compiling and linking multi-file projects.
• Using header files to share information between modules.

Pointers

• To understand and use pointers and pointer operations including:
• Pointer variable definitions and initialization.
• Memory model of how pointers behave.
• Pointer operators ('*' and '&').
• Pointer expressions and pointer arithmetic.
• Passing pointers to functions.
• Relationship between pointers and arrays.

Hardware Interfacing

• To be able to interface a PC to external hardware in order to provide analog and digital I/O.

Structures

• To be able to create and use structures in order to produce efficient and readable code including:
• Structure definitions, instantiations and initialization.
• Accessing members of structures.
• Using structures and pointers to structures as function parameters.
• Use typedef for creating aliases.

Files

• Store and retrieve data from files using a C program including:
• The FILE structure.
• Opening files in different modes (ie. for reading, writing, appending).
• Reading and writing ASCII files and binary files.

Schematic and PCB Tools

• Produce a board design as used in the electronics industry:
• Describe a good schematic.
• Describe a good PCB.
• Use Altium DXP to create a good schematic.
• Use Altium DXP to create good PCB artwork.

Effective as of Fall 2015