Teaching microcontrollers using automotive electronic systems

Teaching an undergraduate course on microcontrollers using real examples from automotive embedded electronics helped to motivate students. This course was implemented using a set of didactic kits, which allowed students to explore real applications. In the first part of the course, students explored single microcontroller functionalities, also developing control software. In the final part of the course, students developed term projects, integrating several electronic devices found in a real engine. This course is part of a three-year undergraduate program on automotive electronics, offered at Faculdade de Tecnologia of the State of Sao Paulo, in collaboration with the University of Sao Paulo. A survey was applied to certify the pedagogical efficiency of this course.