Unit information: IoT System Prototyping in 2025/26

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name IoT System Prototyping
Unit code EEMEM0018
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Roshan Weerasekera
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Faculty of Engineering

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

IoT systems are widely used across various engineering domains, including medical, automotive, aerospace, industrial, and energy sectors. Each domain requires different specifications and operational capabilities tailored to its specific needs. Given these diverse applications, this course will introduce you to the principles of IoT system development within real-world contexts. You will also explore the varying requirements across these domains and delve into state-of-the-art technologies driving IoT advancements. By understanding these principles, you will be equipped to design and implement IoT systems that meet specific operational needs and leverage the latest technological innovations.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study?

This unit is mandatory on the relevant PGT programmes of study. You will be introduced to the hardware and software requirements for IoT systems and the associated challenges and the integration of hardware and software using industry-standard tools to develop application-oriented IoT systems. The curriculum will cover the technical details of hardware-software co-design trade-offs, providing a thorough understanding through numerous design examples. Furthermore, broader engineering considerations will be highlighted throughout the course.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the prototyping of IoT systems. Students will learn about the fundamental principles of IoT, including the integration of hardware and software components, and gain hands-on experience in developing and deploying IoT prototypes. Emphasis will be placed on practical skills, design considerations, and the use of industry-standard tools. The content will primarily cover hardware architecture and programming models, embedded software development, sensor interfacing, communication protocols, real-time systems, and IoT testing and deployment.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

By the end of this unit, students will have developed the ability to model, design, and implement IoT systems. They will acquire comprehensive skills in creating IoT solutions, emphasizing practical applications where sensors, actuators, and communication protocols integrate seamlessly. Students will learn to configure and deploy these components, ensuring efficient data collection, processing, and transmission. This hands-on experience will deepen their understanding of IoT architectures and technologies, such as wireless communication, data analytics, and cloud computing. The knowledge gained will empower students to enhance their expertise and prepare them effectively for industry demands, enabling them to tackle complex challenges and innovate in the rapidly evolving field of IoT.

Learning Outcomes

Having completed this unit, you will be able to:

  • Analyse technical and engineering trade-offs applicable to IoT system design in different application domains and evaluate them using appropriate metrics and indicators.
  • Design, prototype, and test IoT System hardware using appropriate tools.
  • Develop and test firmware for connected IoT devices using suitable programming languages and industry-standard tools and platforms.

How you will learn

The unit will have a blended learning approach incorporating a combination of synchronous and asynchronous lectures, seminars, and practical classes, as well as several self-directed exercises. Several series of short lectures with related design problems (in some cases requiring practical realisation) will be used to integrate the various aspects of core knowledge being taught as well as practice in the relevant design and build processes.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

The formative tasks will include regular laboratory-based design exercises aligned with the theoretical content covered concurrently. Students will work in an electronics lab, experimenting with IoT development platforms. They will receive regular feedback on their progress, which will guide their learning and development. This iterative process of feedback and improvement will culminate in the summative group assessment, ensuring that students can apply both theoretical and practical knowledge effectively.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

This unit will be assessed through a single group coursework submission that will assess all unit LOs and will carry a 100% weight. Each group will submit a report detailing the design and prototype implementation of an IoT system, and results of its evaluation. Within the report, each group member will be required to individually author a section highlighting their own contribution to the group’s work. Each group member will receive an individual mark for the unit.

When assessment does not go to plan

In the case students who were unable to complete their contribution to the group project, they will individually further develop and critique their group's original submission. This process will involve identifying areas for improvement using their knowledge and understanding from the taught material. The assessment components and format will remain the same as initially outlined but will be submitted individually.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EEMEM0018).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.