Digital Prototyping and the Internet of Things

Objectives

This course is an introduction to digital prototyping and the Internet of Things (IoT).Internet of Things (IoT). It focuses on the knowledge and development of the digital foundations on which prototypes are built that allow the interaction between the tangible and measurable physical world with the digital universe. Throughout the subject, the foundations of what is known as physical computing (physical computing), tangible user interfaces (tangible user interfaces - TUI), smart sensors and IoT applications, and some examples and cases are developed in accordance with these theoretical frameworks. In the final part of the subject, students propose and develop a final project that integrates the contents worked on from the examples and cases proposed, which each one can finish defining according to their personal interests.

Learning outcomes

• LO1. Develops hardware in the multimedia field.
• LO2. Implement multimedia applications based on different systems.
• LO3. Acquires and demonstrates advanced knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects and work methodology in the field of multimedia.
• LO4. Demonstrates skills for critical reflection in processes linked to the exercise of the profession.
• LO5. Designs interventions that address the needs of this area in a multidisciplinary manner.

Competencies

General skills

• Combine scientific knowledge with technical skill and technological resources to deal with difficulties in professional practice.

Specific skills

• Develop and manage software and hardware in a multimedia environment.
• Know about the characteristics, functions and structure of operating systems, distributed systems and computer networks, in order to use them well for design and implementation of multimedia applications.

Basic skills

• Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds on general secondary education with the support of advanced textbooks and knowledge of the latest advances in this field of study.

Core skills

• Display professional skills in complex multidisciplinary contexts, working in networked teams, whether face-to-face or online, through use of information and communication technology.

Content

Module 1. Introduction to digital prototyping and IoT

• Contextualization and definitions
• Digital outputs. Parameters of digital systems
• Digital inputs. Algorithmic structures, variables and binary data
• Serial communication. Parameters and variants

Module 2. Analog data and auxiliary components

• Analog inputs
• Analog outputs
• Auxiliary and external elements
• Libraries and functions

Module 3. Basic interaction and IoT projects

• Basic interaction. Processing. Interaction examples
• Digital prototyping. Connectivity
• IoT support platforms. Example of MQTT and cloud services

Module 4. Final project

• Development of the final project
• Presentation of the final project

Evaluation

The assessment is continuous and formative. During the course, tests are given which, together with the practical grade, make up the final grade. The weighting is as follows:

• Follow-up test: 20%
• Final exam: 35%
• Internships: 30%
• Project: 10%
• Participation observation: 5%

If the average is < 5 or any of the evaluation elements has a grade < 3.5, no average is made and the continuous evaluation is suspended. In this case, you can go to the re-evaluation test of the subject, which is done in the laboratory. In this test, the theoretical and practical part of the subject are re-evaluated. Then the final weighting of the subject is as follows:

• Follow-up test: 5%
• Final exam: 15%
• Internships: 20%
• Project: 5%
• Observation: 5%
• Reassessment test in the laboratory: 50%

Methodology

Following the UVic-UCC training model, this subject proposes a set of training experiences based on the problem-based learning (PBL) methodology, which in this case are laboratory practices throughout the course and a final project that is developed during the last weeks. The student-teacher contact hours are specified in two types of sessions: some sessions more theoretical and problem-based which normally take place in the classroom; and some sessions of laboratory practices, which are interspersed. During the theoretical sessions concepts are introduced, example cases are proposed and solved based on interaction with students. On the other hand, in the laboratory practice sessions work is done in smaller groups or the presence of teachers is reinforced, so that students, based on previously proposed statements and that they have been able to work on individually or in groups in their previous studies —delivered at the beginning of the session— can show the achievements of the sections of each practice to the teachers until they complete them. The teachers guide them throughout the learning process, resolve their doubts, ask them questions for reflection and validate the successful completion of the different sections of each practice. Regarding personal work, the student must follow the theory of the subject, solve the proposed tasks and problems, prepare and present practical work and their reports in work groups or individually, which will prepare them to also be able to successfully take the follow-up and global tests, which validate the individual achievement of the learning worked on throughout the course.

Bibliography

Key references

• Oxer, Jonathan, Blemings, Hugh (2009). Practical Arduino: Cool Projects for Open Source Hardware. APress.
• Córcoles Córcules, Sheila & Moreno Muñoz, Sheila (2018). Arduino. Retrieved from https://ucercatot.uvic-ucc.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UVIC/qq5d82/alma991001123930506718
• Joshua Noble (2009). Programming Interactivity: A designer's Guide to Processing, Arduino, and openFramework (2 ed.). O'Reilly.
• López Aldea, Eugenio (2015). Arduino. Retrieved from https://ucercatot.uvic-ucc.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UVIC/qq5d82/alma991001123930906718
• Pizarro Peláez, Jesús (2019). Internet de las cosas (IoT) con Arduino: manual práctico. Retrieved from https://ucercatot.uvic-ucc.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UVIC/qq5d82/alma991001139766706718

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.