Microcontroller Systems

Abstract

This course handbook is intended for first-year graduate students specializing in Automation. Its purpose is to present the fundamental concepts of microcontroller-based systems, with an emphasis on understanding their internal operation, hardware architectures, and communication interfaces that connect them to other components of automated systems. Through this module, students will explore the central role of microcontrollers in control, regulation, and monitoring devices used in automation. They will learn to analyze the hardware and software structure of an embedded system, identify its main components, and understand how these elements interact to perform real-time control tasks. The course combines both theoretical and practical aspects, covering microcontroller architecture, memory organization, input/output management, and communication buses. It also includes the design of interface circuits with sensors and actuators. This integrated approach promotes a strong connection between theoretical concepts and their practical applications in an industrial context. This module is part of a pedagogical approach aimed at developing the versatility of future automation engineers. By linking electronics, control systems, and industrial computing, it provides a solid foundation for mastering and integrating modern automation technologies and cyber-physical systems. Finally, the course encourages students to develop an interest in emerging technological trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and intelligent embedded systems, which today represent key drivers of innovation in the field of automation.