CSYM028 Modern Computer Architecture AS1 Individual Assignment Brief | UON

CSYM028  Assessment Brief

Assessment Task:

Title (Question): Design and evaluate a smart system on ATmega328P (AVR enhanced RISC) with two implementations (Arduino macros vs direct register manipulation), and communicate the work via an IEEE-style paper, a structured portfolio, and a 10-minute demonstration video.

Setting the scene:

The Centre for Advanced and Smart Technologies (CAST) is hosting the Northampton Symposium on Modern Computer Architecture. You will act as an author presenting a smart systems design built on 8-bit AVR (ATmega328P), demonstrating architectural awareness and low-level control. Your submission must evidence design rationale, efficient implementation, and reflective evaluation.

The Assessment consist of 3 key elements:

1. Structured Portfolio (Word): for all in class activities. Include links (e.g., Tinkercad), last-edited snapshots, flowcharts, commented code in TEXT (no screenshots), evaluation/reflection, and memory/efficiency comparisons.
2. IEEE-style paper (5-7 pages, double-column, Word): camera-ready, fully referenced, figures/tables included. Use IEEE citation; ≥80% of related work from 2020-2025.
3. Video demonstration (≤10 min): face + voice visible. Explain design phases, key code fragments, and show working features; include tools (datasheets, Arduino IDE memory analysis, whiteboard/Paint).

Functional Requirements:

Task 1 In-Class Activities (30%)

Create one circuit dashboard per lesson, each with two separate implementations of the same behaviour:

1. Arduino macros (e.g., pinMode, digitalWrite, delays), and
2. Direct register manipulation (e.g., DDRX/PORTX, interrupt registers).

Activities:

1. Membrane keypad
2. PIR Sensor
3. Temperature Sensor
4. LCD Display – Special Characters and Animations
5. Stepper Motor
6. DC Motor
7. IR Remote
8. Four-Digit Seven-Segment Display – 4 Digit Random Number
9. Eight LEDs with 74HC595 Shift Register
10. Controlling Stepper Motor with Remote

Note: Consider the design requirements before implementation

Task 2: (Main Project) – (70%)

The Centre for Advanced and Smart Technologies (CAST) is hosting Northampton Symposium on Modern Computer Architecture (NOMCA) which provides high-quality forum for postgraduate students (next generation of scientist) to present their latest smart systems design in this rapidly changing world. Authors are invited to submit a paper and a technical portfolio on complex smart systems design solutions using 8-bit microcontrollers based on the AVR enhanced RISC architecture (ATmega328P).

Demonstration – Video

Record a 10-minute (or less) video demonstrating understanding of your work and should cover all your work in a logical way.

Important

With the exception of codes and hardware which I have provided you and/or have given you permission to use as part of your implementation (in which case, there will be no/minimum credit assigned to such code):

• Do not use any library or macro function that has not been used in class. This is with the exception of circuits/codes which I have provided you and have given you permission to use as part of your implementation (in which case, there will be no/minimum credit assigned to such code).
• Do not use any electronic component that has not been used as part of the class activities. • Start your design with Arduino Macros (“pinMode()”, digitalWrite() and digitalRead() functions to complete your first working logic before creating a duplicate for amendment towards your final design with direct register manipulation of the ATmega328P register contents. Example:
  DDRB = DDRB | B00100000; PORT |= (1<< PORTD2)
• Do not use references in your main code but provide references to the codes that will be inserted as snapshots (these codes do not count as part of your main code). If majority of your code is snapshots or from external source, the work will not be considered for a pass grade.
• Make sure that anyone with the link to the video can view the content.
• Your code must be in text format.

How to Document Programs

The user of a program needs to know how to run it, what it needs and what it does. Thus, the beginning of your program should have the following information:

• A general statement about what the program does. Notice this is what it does, not how it does it.
• How to run the program, including any information on options and arguments.
• Any active program requirements. This includes any input the user must provide.
• What output the program generates and where it goes?
• Any assumptions the program makes about its environment. For example, if your program expects to be able to write to the current directory, you should say so. If it needs to use standard data from a particular place this must be documented, including where it must be, and its format.

Learning Outcomes aligned to this Assessment:

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate reasonably deep issues underlying the design of modern computer architectures
2. Analyse a fairly complex problem and justify the possible solutions
3. Appraise the consequences of certain architectural decisions on the actual performance or power consumption of the processor
4. Evaluate and explain specific trade-offs between complexity/ cost/performance/power- consumption in modern computer systems
5. Be an independent and self-critical learner, guiding the learning of others and managing own requirements for continuing professional development
6. Reflect on own and others’ functioning in order to improve practice

Academic Practice (referencing style, literature usage, Al Usage):

Students are expected to apply the professional standards and good practice outline in the module.

Assessment Guidance:

• Reading materials and revision resources are available on NILE
• Use of Generative Al (Artificial Intelligence) within this Assessment:
• Some uses of Generative Al may be deemed unethical in your Assessment. Further guidance on the conditions for allowable use of
• Generative Al will be given by the module team.
• Please access the following position guidance from University of Northampton on the use of Generative Al within assessments.
  Al Categories:

Category 1: No GenAl allowed

For this type of assessment, you are unable to use GenAl due to the design of the assessment. For example, a closed book exam where you are required to demonstrate within controlled conditions that you have core knowledge or a skill in a particular area. As it is not possible to use GenAl within this type of assessment, you do not need to acknowledge use of GenAl.

Academic Practice support

The Skills Hub is a central repository where you will find a range of support for your study and assessments: Skills Hub Northampton 

Feedback:

Feedback should be received within 20 working days

An announcement will be sent out via NILE to inform you of when feedback is available.
Instruction on Anonymity for students Further guidance is available online

CSYM028: Marking Rubric