This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to develop software solutions for microcontroller-based systems.

It includes preparing to develop code,developing code, testing and documenting the development of code.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare to develop code

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures for relevant work area are identified, obtained and applied

1.2

Extent of code development is determined from job performance specifications and in consultation with relevant person/s

1.3

Activities are planned to meet scheduled timelines in consultation with relevant person/s in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4

Development kit and software are selected based on specified requirements and performance standard

1.5

Strategies are implemented to ensure programming is carried out efficiently

2

Develop code

2.1

Correct syntax is applied when developing code

2.2

Key features of the programming language used are applied to develop and test solutions

2.3

Approaches to issues/problems are analysed to determine effective solution/s

2.4

Quality of work is monitored against relevant performance measures in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant industry standards

3

Test and document the development of code

3.1

Testing procedures are developed to analyse code

3.2

Problems and bugs in code are rectified to ensure specifications are met

3.3

Reports are prepared in accordance with professional standards and presented to relevant person/s

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two separate occasions and include:

applying relevant risk identification, assessment, reporting and control requirements

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including the use of risk control measures

configuring the microcontroller to use the input/output (I/O) ports for reading digital inputs and writing to digital outputs

configuring microcontroller timers

configuring timers to provide different microcontroller functions

coordinating work with relevant person/s

implementing a program for a specific task

implementing code to perform specific tasks.

providing justification for solutions to problems

providing solutions to microcontroller software problems

uploading code to a microcontroller using the correct set-up for the architecture and using appropriate programming hardware

using a microcontroller and attached relevant components to test and debug code

using industry standard integrated development environment (IDE) to develop code

using methodical problem-solving methods

using the inbuilt functions of an IDE to simulate the functions and registers of a microcontroller in order test and debug code.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures

software programming fundamentals, including:

addressing modes

arithmetic and logic instructions

I/O ports

microprocessor/microcontroller architecture

relevant standards, codes and regulations

sub-routines

timing loops.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in suitable simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

resources that reflect current industry practices in relation to developing software solutions in microcontroller-based systems

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Developing software solutions in microcontrollers/microprocessors must include at least the following:

modifying an existing microcontroller program to comply with specified operating parameters

developing microcontroller software to comply with a specified function and operating parameters

debugging code

Configuring and using at least one of the internal peripherals present on the device of the following:

analogue to digital converter (ADC)

digital to analogue converter (DAC)

external interrupt

pulse width modulation (PWM)

serial communications ports

Electrotechnology

Electronics and Communications