Program Overview

Introducing a professional course in Serial Port Device Driver Development focused on the PC16554D chip requires a structured approach to cover both theoretical concepts and practical applications. The course should cater to software developers, embedded systems engineers, and other professionals interested in low-level programming and hardware interfacing. Below is a proposed course structure that includes modules, topics, and hands-on projects.

Professionals: Embedded systems engineers, kernel developers, and hardware engineers interested in Linux driver development.
Students: Advanced computer science or engineering students with a strong interest in low-level programming and operating systems.
Hobbyists: Tech enthusiasts with a background in Linux and programming, looking to expand their skills into driver development.

Duration

* 10 working days

* 10 online sessions

* 10 Lab assignments

Learning Objective

This course aims to provide an in-depth understanding of serial port device driver development with a focus on the PC16554D chip. Participants will learn about serial communication protocols, device driver architecture, data-sheet interpretition and direct hardware interfacing. The course includes both theoretical sessions and practical labs, culminating in a capstone project where participants will develop a fully functional serial port device driver.

Prerequisites

* Basic understanding of C/C++ programming

* Familiarity with operating system concepts

* Basic electronics and computer architecture knowledge

* Must have already implemented Character Device Driver...

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Introduction to Serial Communication

Basics of serial communication

Understanding UARTs (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter)

Overview of the PC16554D chip and its features

Serial standards (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485)

Module 2: Operating System and Device Driver Fundamentals

Introduction to operating systems internals

Basics of device drivers and their role in the OS

Kernel vs user space

Writing safe and efficient device drivers

Module 3: PC16554D Hardware Interface

Detailed study of the PC16554D chip

Register mapping and configuration

Interrupt handling mechanisms

FIFO control and baud rate settings

Module 4: Development Environment Setup

Tools and software required for development

Setting up a cross-compilation environment

Introduction to hardware simulators/emulators (optional)

Module 5: Implementing a Basic Serial Port Driver

Initializing the PC16554D chip

Configuring serial port parameters (baud rate, parity, data bits, stop bits)

Transmitting and receiving data

Polling vs interrupt-driven I/O

Module 6: Advanced Driver Features and Techniques

Implementing flow control (hardware and software)

Power management and low-power modes

Error handling and diagnostics

Optimizing performance and throughput

Module 7: Testing and Debugging

Debugging techniques for device drivers

Writing test cases for serial port drivers

Using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers for hardware debugging

Module 8: Real-World Applications and Case Studies

Case studies of PC16554D in various applications

Design considerations for robust and scalable drivers

Security aspects of device driver development

Project

Participants will design and implement a complete serial port device driver for the PC16554D chip. The project will encompass data-sheet interpretition, driver initialization, configuration, data transmission/reception, and handling real-world scenarios like varying baud rates, handling noise, and ensuring data integrity.

Course Delivery

* Online: Utilize platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or a custom Learning Management System (LMS) for a wider reach.

* In-person: Conduct classes in a classroom setting, which is particularly beneficial for hands-on labs and real-time debugging sessions.

* Hybrid: Combine online theory sessions with in-person or virtual labs for flexibility and hands-on experience.

Training Methodology

* Lectures: Develop slides and lecture notes that cover both theoretical concepts and practical applications.

* Hands-On Labs: Design lab exercises and projects that give students hands-on experience in writing, debugging, and testing drivers.

* Reading Assignments: Curate a list of resources, such as kernel documentation, books, and articles on driver development.

* Videos: Create or curate video tutorials to demonstrate key concepts and coding techniques.

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