Design of Digital Hardware/Software Systems
- Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
- Version
Version 1 of 23.01.2026.
- Module identifier
11M2003
- Module level
Master
- Language of instruction
German
- ECTS credit points and grading
5.0
- Module frequency
only summer term
- Duration
1 semester
- Brief description
This module deals with the systematic design of digital hardware/software systems and their target architectures. The focus is on methods for the automated design of high-performance systems, HW/SW partitioning and performance estimation, and implementation on a ‘system on chip’ (SoC) with reconfigurable hardware.
- Teaching and learning outcomes
- Introduction
- Target architectures
- Design methods and models
- HW/SW interfaces
- Compilers, code generation and high-level synthesis
- Performance estimation and HW/SW partitioning
- Design systems and tools
- Overall workload
The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").
- Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 30 Lecture - 15 Laboratory activity - Lecturer independent learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 30 Preparation/follow-up for course work - 20 Study of literature - 55 Work in small groups -
- Graded examination
- Project Report, written or
- oral exam or
- Written examination
- Ungraded exam
- Field work / Experimental work
- Exam duration and scope
Graded examination performance:
- Project report (written): approx. 15–20 pages; explanation: approx. 20 minutes
- Written examination: see applicable study regulations
- Oral examination: see general section of the examination regulations
Ungraded examination performance:
- Experimental work: Experiment: approx. 5 experiments in total
- Recommended prior knowledge
The module requires programming skills and a basic understanding of digital technology, microcomputer technology and digital signal processing.
- Knowledge Broadening
In this module, students gain broad knowledge of design methods for combined HW/SW systems. They gain an overview of the entire design flow, from specification to implementation of the individual hardware and software components.
- Knowledge deepening
In this module, students expand their knowledge of hardware design and software development. They gain a deeper understanding of the implementation of algorithms both in software (on a standard processor) and in hardware (on application-specific special processors).
- Application and Transfer
Upon completion of the module, students will be able to select appropriate design principles, apply them to the design of digital systems, and use suitable software packages at all levels of the design process. This includes the design and testing of subcomponents and their concrete mapping to programmable SoC components.
- Literature
- C. Siemers, A. Sikora (Herausgeber): "Taschenbuch Digitaltechnik", 4. Aufl., Carl Hanser Verlag, München, 2022.
- W. Gehrke, M. Winzker: "Digitaltechnik: Grundlagen, VHDL, FPGAs, Mikrocontroller", 8. Aufl., Springer-Vieweg-Verlag, Berlin, 2022.
- Chr. Haubelt, J. Teich: ?Digitale Hardware/Software-Systeme: Spezifikation und Verifikation“, 2. Aufl., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2010.
- Patrick R. Schaumont: "A Practical Introduction to Hardware/Software Codesign", 2nd Edition, Springer Science+Business Media, New York, 2013.
- Frank Vahid and Tony Givargis: "Embedded System Design: A Unified Hardware/Software Introduction", John Wiley & Sons, 2002.
- Applicability in study programs
- Electrical Engineering (Master)
- Electrical Engineering M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Person responsible for the module
- Weinhardt, Markus
- Teachers
- Weinhardt, Markus
- Gehrke, Winfried