Alignment with Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model
The skills and key competencies found in Embedded Systems and SMART Design course are strongly aligned with the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model, especially the Electrical/Electronics strand, which focuses on technical competencies for designing, building, analyzing, and documenting electrical systems, PCBs, and embedded devices for manufacturing contexts.
Alignment to Advanced CTE and Credentials Matter
The competencies and skills in the Embedded Systems and SMART Design course are strongly aligned with the frameworks and principles of Advanced CTE and Credentials Matter, particularly in areas related to digital technology, electronics, and engineering within Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways. (careertech.org)
Embedded Electronics and SMART Design
Anticipated Time to Credential 60 hours | Cost Estimate: $875
(**Additional costs associated with this course are the responsibility of the student or school district. Costs are related to materials needed to complete weekly and the capstone projects. Weekly projects cost ~$50/weekly project and ~$200 for capstone project.)
Building upon fundamental skills, this credential equips learners with an understanding of intelligent systems. Students engage in the design, fabrication, and programming of their own electronic devices, simultaneously documenting workflows and addressing debugging challenges in real-time.
Upon successful completion and passing of this course, you will be eligible for the Embedded Systems Design Credential offered by The PAST Foundation’s Innovation FabLab. This credential is endorsed by esteemed industry partners, including The Honda Corporation, Honeywell, SenseIC, and The Fab Foundation.
If you are a teacher who has already completed this credential and have access to the necessary equipment you are eligible to have students participate in this credential course. Please contact the PAST Foundation Fab Lab at fablab@pastfoundation.org.
Course Overview
Electronics Fundamentals & Circuit Theory
Students will be able to identify and describe various electronic components, including resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors, diodes, and others.
Students will select and utilize software, such as KiCad, to interpret and create basic circuit schematics.
Students will present workflows employed in the design of circuit boards.
Students will provide a detailed description of the tool-path generation process, including milling, stuffing, debugging, and programming.
Students will demonstrate effective workflows and identify areas for enhancement in the comprehensive lab-to-fab experience.
Embedded Programming
Students will apply programming protocols such as SPI, I2C, and UART to control or program hardware devices.
Input and Output Devices
Students will demonstrate workflows employed in sensing an object using input devices (sensors) and output devices (actuators, displays) to the microcontroller.
Students will demonstrate their comprehension of debugging code-hardware interactions by utilizing oscilloscopes and/or multimeters.
Students will demonstrate workflows employed in controlling an output device(s) utilizing a student-designed MCU board.
What You'll Explore
Performance Indicators
Create and Fabricate a Functional PCB: Utilize CAM workflows to design and manufacture a high-performance printed circuit board (PCB).
Implement Embedded Programming: Develop embedded programming capabilities to enable interactive systems to function seamlessly.
Integrate Sensors and Actuators: Integrate sensors and actuators with custom microcontroller boards to enhance system functionality and data collection capabilities.
Generate Design Documentation: Utilize digital tools and reflection protocols to create comprehensive design documentation that accurately represents the PCB design and its functionalities.
Key Competencies
PCB Design & Fabrication
Embedded Systems Programming
Input/Output Device Integration
Workflow Analysis & Troubleshooting
Circuit Debugging and Optimization
Technical Documentation & Reflection
Skills You'll Learn
Electrical CAD and PCB Design
Students will design machine components, 3D assemblies, and create custom parts optimized for 3D printing, laser cutting, or CNC milling.
Students will design custom PCBs using EDA (Electronic Design Automation) modular electronics. They will also test and document the wiring, pin assignments, and testing procedures to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the devices.
Microcontroller integration and debugging
Students will apply their knowledge of system integration to design electrical layouts for microcontrollers, motor drivers, batteries, and electronic safety components.
Embedded programming fundamentals
Students will learn and apply their knowledge of microcontroller architectures (AVR, ARM, Cortex) and memory organization, as well as peripheral capabilities, to practical problems.
Students will learn the difference between microcontrollers and microprocessors, and how their designs affect power use and which ones are best for different tasks.
Students will acquire data sheet literacy, enabling them to extract essential information for programming and interfacing purposes.
Students will utilize Programming Protocols, specifically employing appropriate methods to upload code.
Students will utilize programming environments such as the Arduino IDE, MicroPython, and PlatformIO.
Students will apply the principles of Interaction and Communication to create a board that is functional, responsive, and effective in communication.
Students will apply Debugging and Documentation skills—systematically identifying and resolving code and hardware issues, and recording code, decisions, and outcomes for learning and assessment purposes.
Job Title | Key Skills Utitilized | Typical Industries |
|---|---|---|
Digital Fabrication Specialist | Digital fabrication, equipment operation, training | Education, makerspaces, R&D |
Jewelry CAD Designer | 2D/3D modeling, pattern design, fabrication | Fashion, jewelry |
Project Manager (Design/Fab) | Project management, documentation, workflow integration | Design, engineering, fabrication |
Additive Manufacturing Technician | 3D printing, slicing, printer testing, 3D scanning | Manufacturing, R&D, prototyping |
Architectural Designer | 2D/3D drafting, site plans, construction docs | Architecture, construction |
Product/Industrial Designer | Design thinking, CAD, prototyping, visualization | Consumer products, electronics |
Mechanical Designer | 3D modeling, assemblies, prototyping | Mechanical, automotive, aerospace |
CAD Designer / Drafter | 2D/3D CAD modeling, technical drawings, fabrication prep | Manufacturing, architecture, construction |
Product Development Engineer | Product design, prototyping, documentation | Startups, electronics, medical devices |
Manufacturing Engineer | PCB design, process optimization, quality assurance | Electronics, automotive, aerospace |
Hardware Engineer | Electrical/PCB design, prototyping, testing | Consumer electronics, IoT, telecom |
Mechatronics Engineer | Electronics, mechanical integration, prototyping | Robotics, medical, advanced manufacturing |
Controls Engineer | Electrical design, automation, testing | Electrical design, automation, testing |
Automation Engineer | Control system design, programming, integration | Manufacturing, robotics, process control |
PCB Designer | Schematic capture, layout, DRC, DFM | Electronics, automotive, IoT, medical |
Electronic Design Automation Engineer | EDA tools, circuit design, PCB layout, simulation | Telecom, aerospace, industrial, electronics |
Embedded Systems Engineer | PCB/CAD design, embedded programming, microcontroller integration, debugging, documentation | Automotive, robotics, IoT, medical, aerospace |
Hardware Design Engineer | EDA, PCB design, wiring, system integration, datasheet analysis | Electronics, telecom, defense |
Mechatronics Engineer | Mechanical/electrical CAD, system integration, prototyping | Robotics, automation, manufacturing |
Systems Integration Engineer | Electrical layouts, embedded programming, system testing | Aerospace, automotive, industrial |
IoT Engineer | Embedded programming, network protocols, device security | Smart home, healthcare, industrial IoT |
Firmware Engineer | Microcontroller programming, debugging, hardware/software integration | Consumer electronics, automotive, medical |
Product Development Engineer | CAD, prototyping, embedded systems, documentation, project management | Startups, R&D, consumer products |
Networked Systems Engineer | Network architecture, protocol implementation, troubleshooting | Telecom, automation, infrastructure |
Industry Jobs You Can Obtain With This Credential
Alignment with Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model
The skills and key competencies found in Embedded Systems and SMART Design course are strongly aligned with the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model, especially the Electrical/Electronics strand, which focuses on technical competencies for designing, building, analyzing, and documenting electrical systems, PCBs, and embedded devices for manufacturing contexts.
Alignment to Advanced CTE and Credentials Matter
The competencies and skills in the Embedded Systems and SMART Design course are strongly aligned with the frameworks and principles of Advanced CTE and Credentials Matter, particularly in areas related to digital technology, electronics, and engineering within Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways. (careertech.org)