Embedded Systems and Instrumentation – (M.Sc.)

An understanding of Embedded System Engineering is now vital to the design of most modern electronic devices and systems. Embedded Systems has a central role in computer systems, mobile and wireless communications, consumer electronics and automotive engineering and is important in the design of modern instrumentation and measurement systems used for industrial automation and manufacturing processes. Recent advances in chip fabrication technologies now mean that it is possible to use embedded system technology in an increasing number of technically demanding applications and engineers with skills in embedded system design are in high demand. In the EU it has been estimated that over 600,000 new jobs in embedded systems will be created over the next 10 years.

The MSc in Embedded Systems and Instrumentation at the University of Kent is designed to produce well qualified and competent engineers who are able to develop embedded systems using a variety of different technology platforms and use them in a wide range of applications including communications, consumer electronics, automotive electronics, industrial control, instrumentation and measurement.

The School of Engineering and Digital Arts at the University of Kent has a world class reputation for research in embedded systems and instrumentation and has established strong links with other research institutions and industrial organisations in the UK, Europe and the Far East which have helped the department apply its research to a range of different industrial projects including using microcontroller, FPGA, DSP and Custom Chip technologies. It has developed novel solutions to a range of challenging engineering problems in image acquisition and processing, signal analysis, measurement and condition monitoring at high speeds and in harsh environments. Activities have recently been broadened with the establishment of a control strand which is involved with the development of practically realisable control strategies which yield high levels of performance even in harsh and uncertain industrial settings. Such control strategies are often implemented in embedded systems.