Embedded Software Developer - Electrical Machine Control - Learning Journey

Learning Journey

With the learning journey we intend to provide you with an orientation for planning your training progress.

It is recommended to go through the e-learning courses in the order in which they are explained.

Embedded Software Basics

Embedded software basics, dives into fixed-point arithmetic and floating-point arithmetic, essential for understanding numerical representation and calculations in embedded systems.

Serial bus systems

As there is serial bus systems are used in embedded systems a geneal knowledge of those topics is very important. You will learn about software and hardware aspects, gain insights into their architecture, protocols, and components. The OSI model is also covered, providing an understanding of layered communication systems.

Cyclic Redundancy Check CRC

CRC is mainly used to check the correct data transfer via serial buses and for memory checks. This course provides you with the concepts and examples for CRC calculation.

Operating System OS

The operating system are explored in-depth, focusing on kernel operations, multitasking, safety considerations, and common challenges in embedded OS development.

Real-Time Operating System RTOS

The operating system in an embedded application has real-time requirements and thus a Real-Time Operating System is needed. We cover different real-time requirements, time and event-based tasks and more.

Information Security

This course provides you with a general understanding of information security. This includes the important term, goals and affected parties but also provides information on practical implementation, risks, threats and measures.

Introduction to Cryptograpy

We begin with a general introduction to the topic including the explanation of the protagonists especially Alice and Bob. Then we move on to explain the three basic types symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption, and hybrid encryption.

Mathematics in Encryption

This course is covering the mathematics background for understanding the encrption methods. First, the terms substitution and permutation are explained, then the mathematical background of function and inverse function is illustrated and finally you will be introduced to XOR and modulo..

Encryption Methods

This course is covering the encrption methods DES (Data Encryption Standard), AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange and RSA.

Electronics and Electrical Fundamentals

This course encompassing topics such as electronics and magnetism, circuitry, alternating current circuits, and the basics of power electronics, which are crucial for embedded system developers.

Bridge Circuits

As bridge circuits are used in a variety of embedded systems as well in measurement technology, we provide information on the Wheatstone bridge and their application. 

Electrical Machines

The course on electrical machines starts with the general basics and then goes into details for different tpyes of machines. These include permanent magnet synchronous machines, synchronous machines, induction machines, direct current and brushless DC machines.

Power Electronics Fundamentals

This power electronics fundamentals course is delving into semiconductors, introduces the concepts of the half bridge which is used to control electrical machines and finally is going into thermal design and application examples.

Vector Control

Vector control is providing more details on this specific mathematical background which you need for field-oriented control.

Control of Electrical Machines

Control of electrical machines is bringing together power electronics, electrical machines, and embedded software. You will learn about field-oriented control as well as control design.

Language: English, German

Course objective: The aim of this course is to provide a sound basic knowledge on which other topics, such as AU-TOSAR, can build.

Course content: This course provides an e-learning on fixed point arithmetic and on floating point arithmetic. Two ways of storing binary numbers are described, and limitations and typical errors of the methods are explained. This helps to avoid beginner mistakes and enables a quick introduction to the basics of embedded software.

Duration: 1 hours, 15 minutes

Study time: 6 hours, 15 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/embedded-software-basics/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCHGug84XZY

Language: English, German

Course objective: The aim of this course is to introduce learners to all the important basic terms for the topic of se-rial bus systems.

Course content: This course is designed to introduce you to important basic terms related to serial bus systems. Terms concerning hardware and software are explained.
The focus of the first e-learning lies on very general basic terms that are relevant to most bus systems. For example, the terms bit rate, baud rate, latency, clock signal and router are explained, or what a protocol and a protocol stack actually are. At the beginning of the e-Learning, typical application areas of serial bus systems and their advantages over other systems are de-scribed. The second e-learning deals with the OSI model, which is a reference model for communication systems and protocols. Two components of this model are particularly relevant for bus systems: the so-called physical layer and the data link layer.
The next two e-learning courses are based on these mentioned layers. One of them covers basic terms of the physical layer, the other one those of the data link layer.
Last, but not least an introduction to cyclic redundancy check CRC is given.

Duration: 2 hours, 50 minutes

Study time: 14 hours, 10 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/introduction-to-serial-bus-systems-en/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWbVq2paRxA

Language: English, German

Course objective: The aim of this course is to understand how to calculate various CRC checksums.

Course content: The e-learning course consists of three e-learning units:
“CRC Definition," "CRC-8," and "CRC-16." In this course, you will acquire the necessary knowledge to understand the calculation of CRC checksums. The first module imparts the definition and function of the CRC checksum. The modules are organized in ascending order of CRC sums, and the calculations are always explained using examples.
In the "CRC Definition" module, we uncover its significance, explore various CRC lengths, and delve into its principles, including functionality, polynomial representation, and generator polynomial.
In "E-Learning CRC-8," we delve deeper into CRC-8 calculation, explaining steps with examples. Explore how the sender generates the CRC-8 checksum and how the receiver verifies message accuracy.
Continuing the journey, "CRC-16" explores CRC-16 calculation through detailed examples. Learn how CRC-16 is generated and verified, addressing diverse message lengths. Whether new to CRC or seeking a deep dive, this course empowers your understanding.

Duration: 1 hours, 20 minutes

Study time: 6 hours, 40 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/cyclic-redundancy-check-crc/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiuSXBtrtyw

Language: English

Course objective: The aim of this course is to provide a basic knowledge of operating systems and the various components and functions they contain.

Course content: In this course, you learn what an operating system is. Therefore, you are familiarized with the kernel, which holds the core functionality of the operating system and you get to know the scheduler, which controls the execution of multiple tasks and allocates resources to them. This is covered in greater detail in the chapter “Multitasking”. To complete this course, safety and other advanced aspects are covered as well as the characteristics of embedded operating systems.

Duration: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Study time: 5 hours, 25 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/operating-system/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTW3a2du5Ag

Language: English

Course objective:The aim of this course is to provide a basic knowledge of real-time operating systems. The learn-er will understand what a real-time operating system is and how it works.

Course content: You will learn when real-time operating systems are needed and which requirements they have. In particular, we cover the difference between soft real-time requirements and hard real-time requirements. You will also encounter the term “timing analysis” and learn about the difference between time-based tasks and event-based tasks. At the end you will be familiarized with three scheduling algorithms, before we cover three typical problems: task starvation, deadlock and race conditions.

Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Study time: 5 hours, 50 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/real-time-operating-system-en/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL9hPi7AHdU

Language: English, German

Course objective: The aim of this course is to provide an overview of information security so that its interrelation-ships and importance become clear.

Course content: The course is divided into 3 parts. First, important terms of information security are defined and the underlying goals are explained. Furthermore, it is clarified who is affected by information security and what it is needed for.
In the second e-learning unit, the practical implementation of information security is explained. Here, risks and threats are presented and explained using examples. Afterwards, the information security management system is defined and its functioning is explained. The introduction of this system is, among other things, the task of the information security officer.
Finally, direct measures are explained based on the 14 reference measure objectives, using the international standard ISO 27001 as a source.

Duration: 1 hour

Study time: 5 hours

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/information-security-en/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv5T-0oTWF0

Language: English, German

Course objective: The aim of this course is to understand the various encryption methods, how they are used, and which mechanisms are most useful for which application during implementation.

Course content: We begin with a general introduction to the topic including the explanation of the protagonists specially Alice and Bob. 
Then we move on to explain the three basic types symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption and hybrid encryption.

Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Study time: 6 hours, 15 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/introduction-to-cryptography/

YouTube trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZtzLOlCpK0

Language: English, German

Course objective: The aim of this course is to provide the mathematical basis for understanding the encryption methods.

Course content: This e-learning explains important mathematical basics that are required for cryptography. In the following chapters, we explain some of the important concepts that are necessary to understand the encryption and decryption methods: First, the terms substitution and permutation are explained, then the mathematical background of function and inverse function is illustrated and finally you will be introduced to XOR and modulo.

Duration: 40 minutes

Study time: 3 hours, 20 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/mathematics-in-encryption/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZtzLOlCpK0

Language: English, German

Course objective: The aim of this course is to understand the various encryption methods which are commonly used in modern cryptography.

Course content: In this course we introduce you to different symmetric and asymetric encryption methods namely DES (Data Encryption Standard), AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), RSA (Rivest Shamir Adleman) and the Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange.

Duration: 1 hour, 55 minutes

Study time: 9 hours, 35 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/encryption-methods/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZtzLOlCpK0

Language: English

Course objective: The aim of this course is to provide a basic technical understanding of all relevant topics in the area of electronics and electricity.

Course content: The first e-learning unit of this course is called “Electronics and Magnetism”. It covers the relationship between current, voltage and resistance, which is expressed by Ohm’s law. In addition, electric and magnetic fields are contrasted and different types of magnets are considered.
The second e-learning unit deals with the important components of a circuit, the capacitor and the coil, as well as the resulting phenomena and physical laws, the Lorentz Force, the Hall Effect and the principle of induction.
Furthermore, direct current and alternating current are analyzed. For the analysis of circuits, Kirchhoff’s Laws and the circuit types parallel circuit and series circuit are explained. With regard to alternating current, the Star connection and the Delta connection are considered.
The topic of AC circuits is covered in greater detail. Therefore, the complex numbers are explained in order to then discuss the complex voltage and the complex current. Furthermore, this chapter covers the impedance and the Root Mean Square.
The last part of the e-learning contains an introduction to power electronics, which is based on semiconductor elements. In addition to teaching technical basics, it explains how various components can be constructed using semiconductors. Here, special attention is paid to the di-ode and the MOSFET. The user is therefore familiarized with the concept of the p-n-junction.

Duration: 3 hours, 10 minutes

Study time: 15 hours, 50 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/electronics-and-electrical-fundamentals/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-YlU01z3IE

Language: English

Course objective: The course focuses on the most important bridge circuits currently used in industry. The aim is to identify, understand and use the circuits.

Course content: The e-learning course on bridge circuits first provides a basic introduction to the topic. The structure of the circuit is explained, as well as the calculation of the important variables and typical applications.

Duration: 35 minutes

Study time:2 hours, 55 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/bridge-circuits/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqzJiZ6LrYw 

Language: English

Course objective: The aim of this course is to introduce the learner to electrical machines and provide information about important machine types.

Course content: The first e-learning of this course gives an introduction into the basics of electrical machines where some general information is presented. Afterwards, four e-learning offer an overview on different machine types: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PSM) provides you with the most important aspects concerning this machine type including information on torque characteristics and losses. 
Synchronous Machines (SM) are explained using a similar structure also including a look at single losses.
Induction Machines (IM) are explained using a similar structure. At the end of this e-learning a comparison of different induction machines is provided
DC & Brushless DC Machines and the final machine types which is covered by this e-learning course.

Duration: 2 hours

Study time: 10 hours

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/electrical-machines/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbl148Z_oBg

Language: English

Course objective: The aim of this course is to provide a better understanding of power electronics fundamentals for engineers who are beginning to work in this field.

Course content: In the first e-learning we clarify what power electronics is and where it is applied. It also includes an explanation of the electronic switch. We deal with an example of an electronic circuit, from which we derive basic components. In the e-learning “Components of Power Electronics” you learn about the semiconductor basics and components including MOSFETs and IGBT. The third e-learning is about the half bridge, that is used to control AC electrical machines and the last e-learning covers the topic of thermal design and assembly.

Duration: 2 hours, 25 minutes

Study time: 12 hours, 5 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/power-electronics-fundamentals/

YouTube trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOVTYMaLG7A

Language: English, German

Course objective: The aim of this course is to introduce the user to the basic information on vector control. This knowledge is essential for further topics, such as Electrical Machines.

Course content: The vector control is based on the Park and the Clarke Transformation. In this e-learning, the reasons for using these transformations are discussed. By explaining the mathematical theory behind them, a solid understanding of the transformations themselves can be achieved which supports later application in practice.

Duration: 55 minutes

Study time: 4 hours, 35 minutes

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/vector-control/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJS_b2J7DpM

Language: English

Course objective: The objective of this course is to impart knowledge on the control of electrical machines.

Course content: In the e-learning on field-oriented control, we look at some basic physical concepts (torque, electromagnetic force) and consider them in relation to the DC motor. This also includes torque control. Discussing field-oriented control then allows us to understand how to incorporate this concept into electric control. We then move on to actually focus on electrical machines as con-trolled systems as well as the inverter as a control actuator. A short outlook on other machine types is also included.
The e-learning on control design focusses first on the procedure of control parameterization. This includes topics such as decoupling, pre-control, simplification of the mathematical description, and control optimization methods. This is followed by the cascaded control, where we also discuss current control vs. torque control, field-weakening control, anti-shuffle control and speed control.

Duration: 3 hours

Study time: 15 hours

Further insights: https://embedded-academy.com/en/courses/control-of-electrical-machines/

YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd-RXqTHb58