Unit 6 - Microcontroller Systems for Engineers Unit Spec provides all the crucial information and requirements that you must include in your assignments in order to achieve Pass, Merit, and Distinction. Teachers also use these documents to identify what is required in the assignment this will guar...
Level: 3
Unit type: External
Guided learning hours: 120
Unit in brief
Learners explore how programmable devices and electronic components are developed
systematically to form physical systems controlled by computer code.
Unit introduction
Programmable devices are already used in numerous systems and products, such as car engine
control, wearable and health technology products, environmental control and process control
systems. A popular programmable device is a microcontroller, it contains all the internal
components of a computer on a single chip and it runs a stored computer program to achieve the
intended purpose. The advantages of microcontrollers are that they are cheap, small, have low
power consumption, are readily available and can be programmed to control products and systems,
making them economical for developing products and systems. Microcontrollers and their programs
form an important part of the rapidly growing ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT), a network of billions of
interconnected physical objects, which is bringing the next information revolution with it.
In this unit, you will investigate how microcontrollers are applied to solve engineering problems
and learn how to program or code them. You will explore the hardware used to create a physical
microcontroller system or product and consider the interfacing between the microcontroller and
the input/output devices. You will develop an understanding of the constructs (instructions or
commands) used to program a microcontroller and how to represent both hardware and logical
instructions in diagrammatic format. You will design and develop a prototype microcontroller
system to solve a problem.
As technology trends evolve there is an increasing demand for more complex, connected systems
that interact seamlessly together, providing enhanced features and benefits for customers. It is
important for all types of engineer to understand how physical systems are developed. This will
involve gaining knowledge, understanding and practical skills that are transferable to many other
programmable devices, such as programmable logic controllers (PLC) and/or computers, such as
the Raspberry Pi™, as well as developing computer programs and apps. This unit will help prepare
you for an engineering apprenticeship, engineering courses in higher education or for technician-
level roles in a variety of engineering sectors.
Summary of assessment
This unit is assessed by a set task of 80 marks provided by Pearson and completed under
supervised conditions. Learners will have 12 hours in which to complete the task and this can
be arranged over a number of sessions over a two-week period timetabled by Pearson, once the
assessment has started the learner must complete within five days.
During the supervised assessment period, learners will be assessed by a practical task where they
will develop a prototype microcontroller system to solve a problem. Learners must complete this
task using a computer.
Each year a different task will be set by Pearson which will involve learners following a standard
development process of: analysing the brief, system design and program planning, system
assembly and coding, system testing and recording the system in operation. All external
assessment tasks can be solved using a range of components given in the unit content.
The assessment availability is twice a year in January and May/June. The first assessment
availability is May/June 2018.
Sample assessment materials will be available to help centres prepare learners for assessment.
Assessment outcomes
AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of computer coding principles, electronic hardware
components and the development process
AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of computer coding principles, electronic hardware
components and of the development process to design and create a physical computer system to
meet a client brief
AO3 Analyse test results and evaluate evidence to optimise the performance of a physical computer
system throughout the development process
AO4 Be able to develop a physical computer system to meet a client brief with appropriate
justification
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