Key facts
UNE unit code: ICT363
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2027
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information

This unit explores how computing is applied to devices that can sense and act in the physical world, for example in robotics and mechatronics. In embedded environments, technologists face additional constraints, for example limitations in available power, computational power, memory, and operating in environments with intermittent and low-bandwidth connectivity. These devices need to sense their environment and perform physical actions, which introduces the need for control feedback loops as well as an understanding of sensors and actuators. As devices work in co-operation with each other, for example in drone swarms, and understanding of how to coordinate multiple devices also becomes important. Students completing this unit will develop skills and intuition in designing technology that can sense and act autonomously in the world.
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | TBA | Non-Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | Non-mandatory intensive school; 3 days; held in Armidale |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Students may be required to purchase their own equipment to use in assessment in this unit. The equipment to purchase depends on the student's choice of project, so no specific list of required equipment is designated in the handbook. Equipment can be purchased from typical hobbyist and online stores.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- explain fundamental principles of digital control including feedback and stability;
- develop applications that work in embedded environments with power, computation, communication, or memory constraints;
- explain and work with different kinds of sensors, actuators, and the on-system communication technologies that enable them to work with microcontrollers and onboard computation;
- design systems that combine sensors, computation, and the means to act in the world; and
- explain principles of co-ordination and control of autonomous devices.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development and Analysis | Yes | 20% | All offerings | |
| Final Exam - Assurance Task | Yes | 35% | All offerings | Online proctored examination. It is mandatory to pass the Final Examination and the aggregate of the Final Examination and Project in order to pass the unit. |
| Project - Assurance Task | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Embedded system or robotics development, demonstration, and analysis. It is mandatory to pass the Final Examination and the aggregate of the Final Examination and Project in order to pass the unit. |
| Quizzes and Exercises | No | 15% | All offerings | Quizzes and automarked exercises on content taught within the unit. |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
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