ECEN 5833
Low Power Embedded Design Techniques
University of Colorado at Boulder, CO
University of Colorado at Boulder, CO
Fall 2025
The objective of this course is to convey the physical design techniques to develop a battery or energy harvested powered radio networked device for consumer, industrial, and high reliability applications. Through this project oriented course, students will explore the engineering tradeoffs and make decisions on energy sources, energy storage devices, power supplies, radio networks, micro controllers, and sensors. Over the course of the semester, students will go through design concept, design architecture, schematic entry, board layout design, PCB manufacturing, PCB assembly, test, debug, and verification. Combination of this Low Power Embedded Design Techniques with the Internet of Things Embedded Firmware course will result in a strong foundation in both hardware and software design of low power RF based devices.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
Make engineering trade offs in selecting a low energy micro controller or SoC to meet end application requirements
Utilize the principles of a battery or super capacitor to power their product
Minimize energy consumption through hardware design concepts
Maximize energy out of a battery utilizing capacitors
Select the radio protocol that best addresses the application and ecosystem
Design an embedded power circuit and battery charger
Implement an inverted F 2.4 GHz antenna
Develop a schematic and PCB layout using the industry tool, Altium Designer
Layout a PCB to minimize energy usages and EMI noise
Meet reliability goals by selecting the correct components
Develop test and verification plans that address product functionality, regulatory, and quality requirements
Utilize different board bring up strategies
Take a product idea through specification, architecture, design, PCB design/manufacture, assembly, bring up, and verification
Recognize and utilize the professional skills to become a high performing engineer
PLEASE NOTE: All content on this page subject to change
3 Credit Hours, takes approximately 10-14 hours/week including lectures.
Lectures: Tuesday/Thursday 9:30AM - 10:45AM, ECCR 1B51.
Instructor's Contact Information:
Chris Choi - chris.choi@colorado.edu
Student Assistant Contact Information:
Damini Gowda - Damini.Gowda@colorado.edu
Nimish Sabnis - Nimish.Sabnis@colorado.edu
Instructor and SA Office hours: Zoom meetings by appointment only.
Please request meetings over zoom by email/slack appointment.
Prerequisites:
Knowledge of assembly and C programming, digital logic design, and embedded computer architecture. Students should have had at least one course in each of these subjects.
The corresponding CU-Boulder courses are strongly recommended prior to taking this course:
ECEN 5813 Principles of Embedded Software
ECEN 5823 Internet of Things Embedded Firmware
Students should also have experience using a microcontroller Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and its associated tools including its debugger and register views.
Course Materials: Course materials include papers, lecture slides, project guides, and other online materials.
Required for Distance/Remote students: A PC with a microphone and web camera; reliable internet connection (minimum 5 megabits per second download speed).
Team based Project:
This is a highly project based class.
Students must form into project teams. Most teams will be 2 students. Occasionally Teams of 3 will be approved for more complex projects. Solo teams may also be approved by the instructor under special circumstances.
Projects: Requires checkout or purchase of development kits.
Each Team must choose which processor is appropriate for their project design.
*Kits will be provided to campus students in Boulder and shipped to U.S.-based distance students only (i.e. Professional Certificate students and distance degree students);
Project board development:
Each team will propose, design, create schematics, layout, fabricate (order from PCB house), assemble, bring-up, and test a PCB assembly of their own design.
*PC Boards and components will be ordered by and shipped to campus students in Boulder and to U.S.-based distance students only (i.e. Professional Certificate students and distance degree students);
Planning for project board assembly and Bring up:
Note that for Fall 2025, this class will meet in person. However, in the event of campus returning to remote learning, student teams must consider where each team member will be located during the term and how they will collaborate as a team on the assembly, bring-up, and testing of the projects.
Assuming normal campus operations: Bare boards and parts will be delivered to the EE department office on campus. Assembly will be preformed in the ITLL.
In the event that we go fully remote: Boards and parts will be sent directly to students. Teams will need to assemble and test projects on their own.
Each team must develop a plan for access to the equipment they require. This will be discussed extensively in class to provide guidance regarding access to campus resources when possible for campus students in Boulder. However U.S.-based distance students must provide their own assembly method and test equipment locally. Note: This also applies to Boulder campus students who plan to be in Boulder only for a portion of the term.
This course will cover the design requirements and considerations for developing low power RF devices such as Internet of Things control and sensor nodes. To complete the project, power supply simulation, board layout, and project management techniques will be taught. At the end of the course, each student will have completed a complete battery powered RF device from design concept to completed board.
Timeline management
Microcontroller selection
RF radio selection
Battery selection
Embedded Power supply design and simulation
Printed circuit board inverted F antenna design
Proper passive selection to match reliability of end application
Maximizing power out of low current battery technologies
Load power management
Printed circuit board layout
Printed circuit board assembly
Board bring up
Test and verification
Introduction to application development
Professional skills to become a high performing engineer
Course materials include textbooks, papers, lecture slides, project guides, and other online materials.
Required reading:
“The Unwritten Laws of Engineering,” by James G. Skakoon and original by W.J. King ISBN: 9780791801628
Recommended reading:
“Bluetooth Low Energy,” by Robin Heydon, ISBN: 9780132888363
Course website
Course lecture slides posted weekly on Canvas
Course labs and project material posted weekly on Canvas
Other online materials
The course grade will be based on in-class participation, homework assignments, quizzes, course project, and a final exams. The grade proportions are as follows:
Attendance and Class Participation 10%
Homework Assignments and Class Participation 20%
Course projects 50%
Quizzes 10%
Mid-Term Exam 5%
Final Exam 5%
A complete description of the honor code can be found here .
To summarize: "Violations of the Honor Code are acts of academic dishonesty and include but are not limited to plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, aid of academic dishonesty, lying to course instructors, lying to representatives of the Honor Code, bribery or threats pertaining to academic matters, or an attempt to do any of the aforementioned violations."