DSCBlocks: An Open-Source Platform for Learning Embedded Systems Based on Algorithm Visualizations and Digital Signal Controllers

Abstract

DSCBlocks is an open-source platform in hardware and software developed in JavaFX, which is focused on learning embedded systems through Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs). These devices are employed in industrial and educational sectors due to their robustness, number of peripherals, processing speed, scalability and versatility. The platform uses graphical blocks designed in Google’s tool Blockly that can be used to build different Algorithm Visualizations (AVs). Afterwards, the algorithms are converted in real-time to C language, according to the specifications of the compiler for the DSCs (XC16) and they can be downloaded in one of the two models of development board for the dsPIC 33FJ128GP804 and dsPIC 33FJ128MC802. The main aim of the platform is to provide a flexible environment, drawing on the educational advantages of the AVs with different aspects concerning the embedded systems, such as declaration of variables and functions, configuration of ports and peripherals, handling of Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), interrupts, among others, that are employed in several fields such as robotics, control, instrumentation, etc. In addition, some experiments that were designed in the platform are presented in the manuscript. The educational methodology and the assessment provided by the students (n = 30) suggest that the platform is suitable and reliable to learn concepts relating to embedded systems.

Open-Source Electronics Platforms: Development and Applications

“…The diversity of open-source electronic platforms, as well as their applications presented in this collection [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] demonstrates that there is no restriction nor limitation in using open-source electronics for education, research and product development. We are delighted to offer this Special Issue in order to deliver up-to-date knowledge and technology of open-source electronics to our readers.…”

“…Ariza [9] presented an open-source hardware and software platform for learning embedded system, named DSCBlocks. Using algorithm visualizations with the graphical building block of embedded C codes for dsPIC, a learner can focus on designing an algorithm to program digital signal controllers and observe the configuration at the hardware level.…”

SecuenciaLab: laboratorio de simulación para entrenamiento en manejo de sistemas de control electromecánicos

“…Basados en los elementos planteados en Yang (2011) y Ecu-Red (2014-2019, el laboratorio SecuenciaLab involucra la combinación de los siguientes métodos de desarrollo de software: cascada, versiones sucesivas y prototipos. En la fase de definición del proyecto se identificaron dos objetivos principales: 1) desarrollar un laboratorio virtual y 2) desarrollar una plataforma de aprendizaje.…”

“…Para desarrollar el laboratorio virtual se utilizó la metodología propuesta en Ecu-Red (2014-2019, la cual se resume en la figura 1.…”

BIPES: Block Based Integrated Platform for Embedded Systems

“…The DSCBlocks team [9] has created a web-based blockbased programming IDE focused on dSPic microcontrollers. TUNIOT is as a web based tool (http://www.easycoding.tn/tuniot/demos/code/), that makes possible to program the ESP8266 module (NodeMCU) in blocks, and the tool generates a program in C language, from blocks prepared using Blockly, but does not send or compile the code.…”