Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Physical Computing with Embedded Systems (2025)

Other Arkansas Computer Science and Computing sets

Careers and Professionalism

  • A

    Standard 1.1 - Develop essential professional skills for embedded systems engineering careers.I.A

    1. 1

      1.1.1 Demonstrate effective communication skills in both technical and non-technical contexts.I.A.1

    2. 2

      1.1.2 Demonstrate integrity in embedded systems engineering practices.I.A.2

    3. 3

      1.1.3 Demonstrate collaboration and teamwork skills through embedded systems engineering projects.I.A.3

    4. 4

      1.1.4 Identify and develop traits important for success in embedded systems engineering.I.A.4

  • B

    Standard 1.2 - Investigate physical computing and embedded systems career paths.I.B

    1. 1

      1.2.1 Research various roles within the embedded systems engineering field.I.B.1

    2. 2

      1.2.2 Identify professional certifications relevant to different embedded systems engineering careers.I.B.2

    3. 3

      1.2.3 Identify and evaluate routes to become an embedded systems engineer.I.B.3

  • C

    Standard 1.3 - Develop a professional embedded systems engineering portfolio.I.C

    1. 1

      1.3.1 Investigate the purpose and importance of a portfolio in career advancement.I.C.1

    2. 2

      1.3.2 Analyze examples of professional portfolios to identify key components.I.C.2

    3. 3

      1.3.3 Assess platforms and tools for creating and hosting portfolios.I.C.3

    4. 4

      1.3.4 Select and organize personal projects and achievements for potential inclusion in a future portfolio.I.C.4

Core Embedded Systems Principles

  • A

    Standard 2.1 - Explain the core principles and components of embedded systems.II.A

    1. 1

      2.1.1 Define embedded systems and distinguish them from general-purpose computing systems.II.A.1

    2. 2

      2.1.2 Analyze the key components of an embedded system.II.A.2

    3. 3

      2.1.3 Discuss the differences between microcontrollers and microprocessors.II.A.3

    4. 4

      2.1.4 Explain the concept of real-time systems and their importance in embedded applications.II.A.4

    5. 5

      2.1.5 Explain how embedded systems are utilized across various applications.II.A.5

  • B

    Standard 2.2 - Analyze and evaluate the architecture and capabilities of microcontrollers.II.B

    1. 1

      2.2.1 Describe the basic architecture of a microcontroller.II.B.1

    2. 2

      2.2.2 Compare and contrast different types of microcontrollers and their suitable applications.II.B.2

    3. 3

      2.2.3 Compare and contrast the performance and efficiency characteristics of microcontrollers.II.B.3

  • C

    Standard 2.3 - Apply Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) concepts.II.C

    1. 1

      2.3.1 Describe and analyze the fundamentals of Real-Time Operating Systems.II.C.1

    2. 2

      2.3.2 Compare RTOS to general-purpose operating systems.II.C.2

Sensors, Actuators, and Communication Protocols

  • A

    Standard 3.1 - Identify and implement various types of sensors and actuators.III.A

    1. 1

      3.1.1 Classify different types of sensors and explain their operating principles.III.A.1

    2. 2

      3.1.2 Interface with sensors using communication protocols.III.A.2

    3. 3

      3.1.3 Gather and analyze data using sensors.III.A.3

    4. 4

      3.1.4 Compare and contrast different types of actuators.III.A.4

  • B

    Standard 3.2 - Implement user interfaces and display systems.III.B

    1. 1

      3.2.1 Implement display interfaces to present information in embedded systems.III.B.1

    2. 2

      3.2.2 Program simple user interfaces using various input methods.III.B.2

  • C

    Standard 3.3 - Implement communication protocols in embedded systems.III.C

    1. 1

      3.3.1 Apply serial communication in embedded systems.III.C.1

    2. 2

      3.3.2 Use serial communication protocols for inter-device communication.III.C.2

    3. 3

      3.3.3 Implement wireless communication technologies in physical computing projects.III.C.3

Programming for Embedded Systems

  • A

    Standard 4.1 - Apply programming concepts to embedded systems development.IV.A

    1. 1

      4.1.1 Implement embedded-specific data types and operations.IV.A.1

    2. 2

      4.1.2 Utilize memory-efficient data structures and algorithms optimized for limited resources.IV.A.2

    3. 3

      4.1.3 Develop state machines for managing complex system behaviors and transitions.IV.A.3

    4. 4

      4.1.4 Apply software design patterns appropriate for embedded systems.IV.A.4

  • B

    Standard 4.2 - Interact with hardware components using a text-based programming language.IV.B

    1. 1

      4.2.1 Control digital input/output pins and interface with various components.IV.B.1

    2. 2

      4.2.2 Configure analog-to-digital conversion for sensor data collection.IV.B.2

    3. 3

      4.2.3 Control components using pulse-width modulation (PWM).IV.B.3

    4. 4

      4.2.4 Develop hardware abstraction layers for interfacing with microcontroller peripherals.IV.B.4

  • C

    Standard 4.3 - Implement interrupt-driven programming for embedded systems.IV.C

    1. 1

      4.3.1 Describe the concept and importance of interrupts in embedded systems.IV.C.1

    2. 2

      4.3.2 Write interrupt service routines (ISRs) to handle hardware events.IV.C.2

    3. 3

      4.3.3 Develop programs using timer interrupts for periodic task execution.IV.C.3

    4. 4

      4.3.4 Apply event-based programming techniques for real-time responsiveness.IV.C.4

  • D

    Standard 4.4 - Implement debugging and troubleshooting techniques.IV.D

    1. 1

      4.4.1 Utilize embedded-specific debugging tools and techniques.IV.D.1

    2. 2

      4.4.2 Apply systematic approaches to identify and resolve hardware and software issues.IV.D.2

    3. 3

      4.4.3 Use logging and tracing techniques for embedded applications.IV.D.3

Construct Simple Embedded Systems

  • A

    Standard 5.1 - Apply fundamental electrical concepts to embedded systems design.V.A

    1. 1

      5.1.1 Apply basic electrical laws and principles.V.A.1

    2. 2

      5.1.2 Implement electrical circuits in embedded systems.V.A.2

    3. 3

      5.1.3 Conduct electrical testing and troubleshooting.V.A.3

  • B

    Standard 5.2 - Implement power management and efficiency techniques.V.B

    1. 1

      5.2.1 Calculate power consumption in embedded systems.V.B.1

    2. 2

      5.2.2 Implement sleep modes and wake-up strategies to conserve power.V.B.2

    3. 3

      5.2.3 Design power-efficient embedded systems for long-term deployment.V.B.3

  • C

    Standard 5.3 - Integrate mechanical components with embedded systems for sensor-actuator applications.V.C

    1. 1

      5.3.1 Apply mechanical principles to sensor selection and placement.V.C.1

    2. 2

      5.3.2 Implement actuator control systems.V.C.2

    3. 3

      5.3.3 Design and troubleshoot electromechanical interfaces.V.C.3

  • D

    Standard 5.4 - Create and manage comprehensive documentation.V.D

    1. 1

      5.4.1 Create comprehensive documentation for embedded systems projects.V.D.1

    2. 2

      5.4.2 Implement version control practices for managing code and project files.V.D.2

  • E

    Standard 5.5 - Implement proper safety practices.V.E

    1. 1

      5.5.1 Adhere to electrical safety standards and regulations.V.E.1

    2. 2

      5.5.2 Adhere to mechanical safety standards and regulations.V.E.2

Advanced Concepts, Emerging Technologies, and Ethical Considerations

  • A

    Standard 6.1 - Implement testing, validation, and security practices.VI.A

    1. 1

      6.1.1 Develop unit tests and system-level testing for embedded systems.VI.A.1

    2. 2

      6.1.2 Implement basic security measures in embedded systems.VI.A.2

    3. 3

      6.1.3 Discuss techniques for securely updating firmware in deployed systems.VI.A.3

  • B

    Standard 6.2 - Research emerging technologies in embedded systems.VI.B

    1. 1

      6.2.1 Investigate the implementation of basic machine learning algorithms on microcontrollers.VI.B.1

    2. 2

      6.2.2 Explain the principles of edge computing and its applications in embedded systems.VI.B.2

    3. 3

      6.2.3 Identify integrated embedded systems in emerging fields and technologies.VI.B.3

  • C

    Standard 6.3 - Consider ethical and environmental implications.VI.C

    1. 1

      6.3.1 Discuss ethical considerations related to data collection, privacy, and security in IoT and embedded systems.VI.C.1

    2. 2

      6.3.2 Assess the environmental impact of embedded systems and sustainable design practices.VI.C.2

    3. 3

      6.3.3 Investigate the role of embedded systems in environmental monitoring and conservation efforts.VI.C.3

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12

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