Lab - TUBAF: Embedded Systems

Remote laboratories for the "Embedded Systems" course at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. Reuse these labs for your own courses or self-study.

Import the configuration files into a newly created lab on https://edrys-labs.github.io or use the Deploy-Lab buttons below.

Station Setup

To run a station, use the pyxtermjs terminal server in a secure Docker environment:

docker run -it -p 5000:5000 --device=/dev/ttyACM0:/dev/ttyACM0 edryslabs/module-pyxtermjs:latest

Alternatively, set up your own Docker environment or use the terminal server directly with Python. See: https://github.com/edrys-labs/module-pyxtermjs

Task 1: Ultrasonic Distance Measurement

Students implement ultrasonic sensor control with two difficulty tracks:

• Track A (Fundamentals): Low-level sensor control, GPIO timing, pulse measurement, distance calculation
• Track B (Library Integration): NewPing library, user configuration, LCD menus, unit conversion

Hardware: Arduino Uno, HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, 16×2 LCD display (I2C)

Learning: Sensor communication, timing signals, datasheet analysis, display interfaces

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/edrys-labs/lab-tubaf-embedded-systems/main/laboratory/de/task-1.yaml

Task 2: ADC-Based Distance Scanner

Students build a 180° rotating infrared scanner by replacing analogRead() with direct ADC register manipulation.

Tasks:

• Refactor code into reusable functions
• Configure ADC registers (ADMUX, ADCSRA) directly
• Transform voltage readings to distance (cm) using sensor datasheet
• Visualize measurements on radar-style plot

Hardware: Arduino Uno, Sharp GP2Y0A02 infrared sensor, servo motor

Learning: Register-level ADC programming, sensor calibration, code refactoring

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/edrys-labs/lab-tubaf-embedded-systems/main/laboratory/de/task-2.yaml

Task 3: Interrupt-Driven Motor Control

Students replace polling with interrupt-based programming to synchronize stepper motor position with LED visualization.

Tasks:

• Implement ISR for Hall sensor (falling edge trigger)
• Use volatile for shared variables between main code and ISR
• Map motor position (2048 steps) to LED ring (24 LEDs)
• Remove polling logic, rely on interrupt-driven position reset

Hardware: Arduino Uno, 28BYJ-48 stepper motor, ULN2003 driver, Hall sensor, Adafruit NeoPixel LED ring (24 LEDs)

Learning: Interrupt configuration, ISR programming, motor control, visual feedback synchronization

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/edrys-labs/lab-tubaf-embedded-systems/main/laboratory/de/task-3.yaml

More Information

For detailed explanations of each lab, see the blog posts:

• Ultrasonic Distance Measurement Lab
• ADC Distance Scanner Lab
• Interrupt Motor Control Lab