An Introductory Lab in Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems

The theme of this book is the exploration of embedded and cyber-physical systems not by resource constraints, but instead by their interactions with the physical world. While resource constraints are an important aspect of design, such constraints are part of every engineering discipline and give little insight into the interplay between computation and physical dynamics. We emphasize the basics of models, analysis tools, and design of embedded and cyber-physical systems. We guide in modeling of the physical world with continuous-time differential equations and modeling of computations using logic and discrete models such as state machines. These modeling techniques are evaluated through the use of meta-modeling, illuminating the interplay of practical design with formal models of systems that incorporate both physical dynamics and computation. We introduce formal techniques to specify and verify desired behavior. A combination of structured labs and design projects solidifies these concepts when applied to the design of embedded and cyber-physical systems with real-time and concurrent behaviors.