KR20030042649A - System for practicing Circuit Design with Embedded Program using Network - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system for the remote learning of an embedded program design using communication network is provided to educate a user in an experiment and the practice of the embedded system design remotely by replacing an expensive equipment used for the education of an embedded system with an emulator system of a software method using a computer and linking with an education server system. CONSTITUTION: The system comprises a learner computer(30) receiving and driving an emulator and a simulator program related to the embedded system, a remote education server(10), and the communication network(20) connecting between the learner computer(30) and the remote education server(10). The learner computer(30) includes a web browser(40) performing the experiment/practice by downloading the emulation software from the remote education server(10). The remote education server(10) comprises an education broadcasting system or an Internet based education service device(11), a learner certification module(13), and an experiment/practice equipment emulator monitoring tool(15).

Description

System for practicing Circuit Design with Embedded Program using Network}

The present invention relates to a program design practice and a circuit experience system using a communication network, and in particular, a software emulator (hereinafter, 'simulator') using expensive real equipment and devices used for experiments in the education of an embedded system. The present invention relates to an embedded program design remote learning system using a communication network that enables education and learning remotely through the Internet, broadcasting, or communication.

In other words, the present invention relates to a reliable distance learning system and method for overcoming this problem in the case of education that requires an experiment or practice.

In today's electronics and computing fields, many embedded systems engineers are required, but training on embedded systems is very difficult for a variety of reasons.

The embedded system refers to an independent device that is equipped with various functions for performing a specific purpose in one system, and makes a judgment and operation by itself. For example, embedded systems such as mobile phones, PDAs, microcomputer-controlled washing machines and communication boards are used in almost all home appliances and industrial devices in use today.

In today's universities and academies, it is necessary to have specific equipment to educate embedded systems. For programming and other training of embedded systems, at least embedded system boards, embedded system boards and communication devices with PCs, and embedded system development software. Is required, and in addition, there may be experimental equipment such as oscilloscopes.

The embedded system board refers to a hardware board having various hardware function blocks including processor functions.

In order to program the embedded system board to perform the desired operation, the software programmed by the student must be mounted on the embedded system board. The communication between the embedded system board and the PC is necessary to do this. Such devices and equipment include BDM, JTAG, Ethernet, and serial.

Embedded system development software is a tool for creating software for mounting on embedded system boards.

As today's embedded systems require specific equipment and software, training and training equipment is provided in specific spaces. The demand for such equipment for education has become a factor that makes distance education impossible through the Internet or broadcasting.

Because the experimental equipment used for education is expensive and can vary according to the circumstances and purposes of the times, it is very difficult for the individual to prepare for the distance education.

Thus, it is a stumbling block to fostering many embedded system engineers, who are in great demand in almost every field of consumer electronics and industry today.

In the field of electronic engineering, which is difficult to experiment and practice in cyber education like embedded system education, electronic circuit training methods through cyber education have been developed as in Korean Patent Publication No. 2000-30110. It is difficult to carry out with a large number of cyber subjects as a way to equip the actual experimental equipment, and the experiment also had a problem that can only be practiced in a limited circuit prepared in advance.

In addition, in the case of a board program education including a processor or a DSP, such as the embedded system education of the present invention, education including various software programming should be performed, but the conventional cyber practice method was impossible such a practice, and it is also expensive to enable it. In this case, it was difficult to carry out cyber education for a large number of learners.

In addition, in order to educate an embedded system, embedded system boards and experimental equipment are required to enable learners such as university students or graduate students to understand the embedded system and to experiment and perform their own software. The reality is that equipment is expensive and it is never easy to prepare for training.

In addition, the experimental equipment such as the actual embedded system is not easy to maintain and repair unless the expert can easily malfunction or breakdown due to learners' faults or other causes. For this reason, distance education for embedded systems using the Internet or broadcasting has been a very difficult part, and it is almost impossible to prepare expensive experiment equipment for learners even if they try to train a large number of people through the Internet and broadcasting. Even if such education is possible, there was a problem that it was difficult to expect a great effect only because of the theory education.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to replace the expensive real equipment used in the experiment of the embedded system with a computer-based emulator system (including a simulator) system that can be easily used by anyone, and linked with the education server system, The present invention provides an embedded program design remote learning system using a communication network that can be used to educate an embedded program design experiment and practice remotely through the Internet, broadcasting, and communication.

1 is a view showing an embedded system and a program design distance education system according to the present invention,

FIG. 2A illustrates a conventional embedded educational system, and FIG. 2B illustrates an embedded educational system according to the present invention.

3 is a view showing an emulator system running on the learner computer according to the present invention,

4 is a flowchart for performing training of an embedded system according to the present invention,

5 is a screen showing a visualization representation function of the emulator for an embedded board according to the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a screen illustrating an example of adding and deleting a virtual component to an experimental equipment emulator according to the present invention.

7 is a screen showing the interaction of the experimental equipment emulator according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: distance learning server

11: Educational broadcasting system or internet based educational service device

13: Learner Authentication Module

15: Lab Equipment Emulator / Simulator Monitoring Tool

20: Network 30: Learner Computer

31: Embedded System Emulator 35: Oscilloscope Simulator

The technical means of the present invention for achieving the above object is, in a system for remotely training through a communication network: a log-in information of a plurality of learners, a laboratory emulator and a simulator related to embedded board programming and system design are built to the request of the learner A remote education server that provides an embedded board and experimental equipment emulator / simulator program and monitors the learners' training experiments; And a learner computer connected to the distance learning server to drive an emulator and a simulator program of an embedded system, which is a downloaded laboratory wet materials, to design an embedded system program or to add and remove a specific component of a virtual embedded system. It is characterized by.

The distance learning server is characterized by consisting of an educational broadcasting system or an Internet-based education service function block, a learner authentication module, and a laboratory equipment emulator / simulator monitoring tool.

The emulator / simulator of an embedded system running on the learner computer includes a CPU / DSP control emulation block of an actual target system, an interface emulation block of an actual target system, an important pin signal simulation block of an actual target system, and a virtual experiment. It is characterized by consisting of an interface block with equipment, a virtual oscilloscope (the oscilloscope has taken one of the virtual experimental equipment as an example), a virtual oscilloscope interface block, and a communication function block with a distance learning server.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows an embedded program design distance learning system according to the present invention, and includes a distance learning server 10, a communication network 20, a plurality of learner computers 30, and a lecturer computer 70.

That is, a learner computer 30 that receives and runs an emulator and a simulator program related to an embedded system, which is an experimental equipment, an internet-based education or educational broadcasting system, a learner authentication module, and a laboratory training equipment emulator (hereinafter, 'simulator'). It includes a distance learning server 10 including a monitoring tool and the like, and a communication network 20 such as the Internet, a public network and a cable connecting the learner computer 30 and the distance learning server 10.

The learner computer 30 is a communication computer capable of two-way communication, and a plurality of learners can download the emulation software and perform a lab training after authenticating a member from the distance learning server 10 through the Internet using two-way communication devices, respectively. Each one is provided with one web browser (40).

A plurality of learners connect to the distance learning server 10 through a communication network 20 such as the Internet, a cable, and a broadcasting network by using an interactive communication device 30 such as a desktop computer, a notebook, a handheld computer, and the like. The emulator and experimental equipment simulator program of the system is run to directly execute various embedded programs to design and experiment.

The communication network 20 connects a plurality of learner computers 30 and the distance learning server 10, and the web browser 40 stores various types of data between the learner computer 30 and the distance education server 10. Enables sending and receiving.

In addition, the internal processor of the remote education server 10 controls to transmit the main web page to the learner computer having a web browser according to the operation program, and also read and communicate the corresponding program from the storage means according to the learner's various requirements. The module is controlled to transmit to each learner's computer 30 through the module.

In addition, the lecturer communicates with a plurality of access learners through the educational broadcasting system of the distance learning server 10 or the Internet-based educational service device 11 and the laboratory equipment emulator monitoring tool 15, and provides training related to embedded program design. Not only can it be conducted, it can also check and train each learner's laboratory status.

Referring to Figure 1 in more detail as follows.

First, the remote education server 10 of the embedded system is composed of an educational broadcasting system or an Internet-based educational service device 11, a learner authentication module 13, and an experimental / practical equipment emulator monitoring tool 15, The educational broadcasting system or the Internet-based educational service device 11 may be any system that has been used for distance education.

That is, the educational broadcasting system or the Internet-based educational service device 11 may be educational broadcasting using broadcasting and communication, or may be an Internet-based web service. It is the part where lectures are given to real learners, and it is the part that explains, demonstrates, and answers questions to remote learners.

In addition, the learner authentication module 13 is a part for discriminating a legitimate learner, and a user who uses the system accesses this authentication to receive user authentication, and this part may be omitted if it is for a non-commercial purpose.

Finally, the experimental equipment emulator / simulator monitoring tool 15 includes an experimental equipment emulator (also referred to as a simulator) for teaching an embedded system running on the learner's computer 30. This module checks the operation status while communicating through the module. If the learner makes an error during the lab training, the experimental equipment emulator monitoring tool 15 allows the lecturer to inspect and provide personal guidance.

Second, the communication network 20 refers to the Internet and a broadcasting network, and can be constructed using various networks such as cable networks, ADSL, Ethernet, public broadcasting, cable broadcasting, and the like.

Third, the learner and lecturer computer 30, 70 is a computer for running the experimental equipment emulator used in the embedded system-related training practice, commonly referred to as desktop, notebook, handheld computer.

Fourth, the experimental equipment emulator running on the learner's computer 30 is an application software type that emulates or simulates a real system running through the learner's computer 30.

That is, the present invention can be easily equipped with the experimental equipment that all learners operate in the same way as the actual experimental equipment from the learner's point of view, it is possible to obtain a lot of educational results for the embedded system that was difficult to remote education by linking the training content to the experiment immediately. In addition, even in the position of a lecturer who lectures remotely, each learner's experiment results can be checked through communication and pointed out to teach errors.

In addition, by emulating a variety of real target board (Target board) required for embedded system training to the computer system to work exactly like the real world, learners can experience a variety of real embedded system target board without a real board.

In the distance learning system having such a structure, all the experimental equipment is emulated and operated by software on the learner computer 30, and the distance learning server 10 through the communication network 20 such as the Internet for the learner to drive the embedded system. When the user logs in and logs in, the user is authenticated and can take a course from a distance education server 10. All experiments appearing in the curriculum can be worked using the system on the learner's computer (30).

Next, an experimental equipment emulator, which can be said to be the subject of the present invention, will be described.

Figure 2 is a hardware configuration for embedded system education, Figure 2a is a general embedded system, Figure 2b is an embedded system according to the present invention.

That is, until now, as shown in FIG. 2A, minimum embedded boards (1), oscilloscopes (3), learner PCs (5), embedded boards and interface devices (7) between the PCs and the like are absolutely necessary for embedded system education. Therefore, the cyber learning was not possible, and the present invention enables the present invention to be implemented in the learner computer 30 without any additional hardware as shown in FIG. 2B, and further, through the remote education server 10 and the communication network 20. By connecting learners of, anyone is configured to be remotely trained in the embedded system through the communication network (20).

In addition, FIG. 2B illustrates a screen state in which the embedded program design emulator 31 and the oscilloscope simulator 35 are driven by replacing the system existing in the learner computer 30 with software as shown in FIG. 2A.

That is, the oscilloscope 3 of FIG. 2A, which is a real equipment, is driven on the learner computer 30 by the oscilloscope simulator 35 as shown in FIG. 2B. In addition, the embedded board 1 of FIG. 2A, which is the core equipment of the embedded system, is run on the learner computer 30 as the software emulator 31 of FIG. 2B.

The emulator 31 is driven in the form of software on the learner computer 30, but shows the same operation and the same visual effect as the real system, so that the effect of teaching with real equipment can be transferred as it is.

By configuring in this way, by simply implementing the experimental tool required for embedded system education in the computer 30 without any additional hardware, cyber learning for a large number can be effectively performed.

3 is a diagram illustrating an experimental equipment including an embedded board displayed on a learner computer. When the remote learning server 10 is connected, the screen showing the configuration of the experimental equipment emulators 31 and 35 downloaded to the learner computer 30 is shown. to be.

In the most important part of the present invention, those who want to be educated in the embedded system have not been easily equipped with the experimental equipment. In this way, conducting laboratory training can produce remote experiments of embedded systems because it can produce expensive experimental materials as if they were actually equipped.

All emulators and simulators operate on the learner computer 30 and most of the embedded system related experiments are performed within the computer 30.

The embedded board emulator 31 serves as a target board of an actual embedded system and plays a most important role in education. In fact, a board identical or similar to this virtual emulator exists in hardware.

The system replaces the actual target board with a software emulator suitable for embedded system training. In the case of the software emulator method, it is possible to easily provide a test target board to the learners without incurring a cost. You can also build various types of target boards.

You can see the same result by running the program designed for the actual target board in the embedded system training exercise in the same emulator. In addition, it can graphically show the operation status that can not be shown in real system one by one and can report the current learner's experimental status to the lecturer who is training at the remote location in detail and conversely check the wrong embedded program design from the lecturer. It may be.

The configuration of the emulator is as follows.

The emulator 31 of the embedded board is a graphical user interface (GUI) screen that appears on the screen of the computer 30, and may bring an effect to the actual board and show an operation state graphically.

As an internal component of the emulator 31, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) function, a CPU / DSP control emulation block of an actual target system, an interface emulation block of an actual target system, an important pin signal of an actual target system, and a hardware operation simulation block , An interface block with the virtual experimental equipment, and a communication function block with the distance learning server 10. The communication function block communicates with the experimental equipment emulator / simulator monitoring tool 15 of the distance learning server 10.

This section presents a way for the instructor to check that the experimental equipment emulator learns correctly. It can also be used to remotely demonstrate to learners or to immediately point out incorrect embedded program designs.

Reference numeral 35 is a simulator screen of the oscilloscope that can produce the same effect as dealing with an actual oscilloscope in connection with a virtual embedded board. The simulator 35 has a GUI portion that shows the result to the user as a real system, and includes a portion that emulates a function of the actual equipment and a portion that interfaces with a virtual embedded board.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a distance education procedure of an embedded system. Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, FIG.

Distance learning is largely composed of the learner authentication module side of the distance learning server 10, the experimental equipment emulator monitoring tool, and the learner emulator side of the learner computer (30).

The learner accesses the site of the distance learning server 10 by using the web browser 40 installed on his computer 30, logs in, and then executes the embedded program design emulation program for the embedded board from the distance education server 10. It is received and displayed through the communication network 20.

Next, the learner may use the embedded program design emulation program for the embedded board to study various embedded program designs or take training related to embedded program design. If not for commercial purposes, the login may be omitted. If the authentication is allowed after the login, the training contents are taken, and the learner selects an appropriate training item and downloads the experimental tool application provided by the distance learning server 10 to perform an embedded program design and circuit experiment according to the training contents. do.

In the course of performing the experiment, the experimental equipment emulator monitoring tool 15 of the distance learning server 10 side communicates with the learner's emulator and is in charge of exchanging the lecturer 70 with the learner's tool (emulator). In other words, it allows students to examine the operating state of the virtual experimental equipment handled by the learner and point out the error.

In addition, the learner tool may be executed alone without necessarily accessing the distance learning server 10, and the emulator function has a visual expression function that cannot be represented by an actual board. In addition, virtual parts can be added or removed to experience hands-on changes or changes in the system.

In the case of accessing the distance learning server 10, the professor can get advice on the virtual experimental equipment of the present system used by the professor.

5 to 7 are screen images of an experimental equipment emulator that is loaded and executed on the learner's computer 30 when logging in to the distance learning server 10. FIG. 5 is an experimental equipment which is a tool used by the learner computer 30. This figure shows an example of the visualization representation function of the emulator.

The professor who lectures at the distance learning server 10 may remotely control the graphic display of important interfaces when the board operates as shown by reference numeral 50 in FIG. 5 so that the learner can easily understand the board operation. In addition, even if the learner runs alone without access to the distance learning server 10 shows the necessary information.

6 is a screen showing an example of adding and deleting virtual parts to an experimental equipment emulator, which is a tool used in a learner system.

The emulator is provided with a socket for attaching a virtual component, as shown by reference numeral 51, and a virtual component, such as 53, can be added and removed in the same manner as the 52. FIG. The emulator also works like a real target board. Therefore, learners (practices) can fully enjoy the effect of practicing with a real embedded board.

7 illustrates an example of interaction of an experimental equipment emulator, which is a tool used in a learner system. Reference numeral 62 is a simulator that causes the actual oscilloscope to run on the learner's PC. The learner can use the computer 30 as if experimenting with an expensive real oscilloscope. The probe of 61 is connected to 60, one of the main pins of the emulator, which is also a virtual target board. The signal, which acts like an actual oscilloscope, appears as 63.

The present invention, in addition to the target board of the embedded system as described above, by operating in conjunction with the target board emulator various experimental materials required for embedded system education can experience the education effect of the embedded system obtained when operating the actual equipment. .

Therefore, in the present invention, by replacing the expensive real equipment used in the training of the embedded system with a computer-based emulator and a simulator that can be easily used by anyone, and in connection with the education server system, the educational effect is impossible or inefficient In addition to enabling the remote training of embedded systems that have gained a high level of reliability, the company offers a clear plan for training embedded systems, especially for a large number of people, and greatly reduces the cost of experimental / practical equipment needed for training. Learners can immediately experience a wide variety of embedded systems at no cost, and have the advantage of directly applying the code tested to the system.

In addition, by visually experiencing the parts that cannot be represented by the actual target board, a training effect can be obtained to deepen the understanding of embedded program design emulation, and the laboratory wet material emulator randomly adds or removes parts like the actual target board. Hands-on training is also very effective in education, and expensive equipment such as oscilloscopes that are difficult for the general public can be simulated directly through a computer, so that learners can directly conduct experiments on embedded program and system design regardless of the time and place. There is a viable advantage.

Claims (4)

In a system that trains remotely over a network: Remote learning server that monitors learners' circuit experiments and provides embedded board and emulator programs according to the learner's request. 10); And The learner computer 30 is connected to the distance learning server 10 to drive an emulator and a simulator program of an embedded system, which is a downloaded laboratory wet material, to design a circuit or to add and remove a specific component to drive the learner computer 30. Remote Learning System for Embedded Program Design Using Communication Network. The method according to claim 1, The distance education server 10, An embedded program design remote learning system using a communication network comprising an educational broadcasting system or an Internet-based educational service function block, a learner authentication module, and a laboratory wet materials emulator / simulator monitoring tool. The method according to claim 1, The emulator / simulator of the embedded system running on the learner computer 30 includes a graphical user interface function, a CPU / DSP control emulation block of an actual target system, an interface emulation block of an actual target system, and an important pin of an actual target system. An embedded program design remote learning system using a communication network comprising a signal simulation block, an interface block with a virtual experimental equipment, an oscilloscope emulation block, an oscilloscope interface block, and a communication function block with a distance learning server. The method according to claim 1, The remote education server 10 can teach and teach the embedded program design and laboratory training of the learner by connecting the learner and the lecturer through an educational broadcasting system or an Internet-based education service device and a laboratory wet material emulator / simulator monitoring tool. Embedded program design remote learning system using a communication network, characterized in that.