How Microcontrollers are used for intelligence
Tim Wilmshurst is Subject Head for Electronics and Sound. An electronics expert, Tim's specialist area of research within SPARG is embedded systems; or the use of tiny computers put into other products to give them intelligence.
Tim said: "Embedded systems are everywhere in modern life. We take it for granted that our mobile phones, cameras, cars, and even toys are intelligent; that computers within them make calculations and decisions that control them."
The tiny computers designed into these everyday items are called microcontrollers
In 2009 Tim completed the second edition of his well-received book, Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications, updated with the latest progress in this fast-paced area of electronics. He also presented his latest research focusing on the energy demands of microcontrollers at the Embedded Systems Conference in Farnborough in 2009.
"We looked closely at the energy demands of microcontrollers when active, when in sleep modes, and when going from sleep to active modes while in low power, and then mathematically modelled this energy consumption. By doing so we could see how to optimize the demands of microcontrollers on their power sources; essentially seeing how we can make them more energy efficient."
The possible applications of this research are widespread. From mobile telephones and laptops, to solar power and cars, the microcontrollers within them could be made to keep going for longer and do more using less battery power.
Other publications from this group
- Hodges R (2009) Music Education and Training: ICT, Innovation and Curriculum Reform, in Music Education with Digital Technology ed. J. Finney and P. Burnard, Continuum Press
- Lennox P (2009) Spatialisation and computer music. The Oxford Handbook of Computer Music and Digital Sound Culture, Oxford University Press.
- Wilson C and Lennox P (2010) Presentation of Derby Laptop Orchestra Technologies at the Creative Exhibition, Mansfield.
