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Academia.Adaptive AgroTech · Learning & research
CourseFall 2026
T550077101

Embedded Linux

Linux-based sensing, control, communication and distributed embedded systems

Fall 20265 ECTS12 lecturesFridays · 12:00–16:00Odense U174
Explore the first lecture
Embedded Linux

About this course

The course presents the architecture of embedded Linux computers and related hardware and software technology. It combines low-level hardware interfacing with reusable high-level software, wired and wireless communication, message passing, remote management, automation and security. Theory introductions are followed by team laboratory work and an evolving semester project.

What this course is about

Building reliable Linux-based devices that sense, communicate, control and can be managed remotely. We connect operating-system concepts to practical embedded applications.

What it is not about

This is not a desktop-Linux administration course, a Raspberry Pi hobby tutorial, or a course focused only on kernel development. Hardware is a means to learn system design.

Course learning outcomes

  • Explain Linux and embedded Linux architecture.
  • Integrate embedded Linux computers into relevant applications.
  • Interface sensors and actuators.
  • Apply suitable communication and message-passing architectures.
  • Use version control and remote-management tools.
  • Adapt established embedded Linux design patterns to new cyber-physical applications.

Examination and grading

Official examination: individual presentation portfolio submitted at the end of the semester (EKA T550077102), graded on the Danish 7-point scale, with no second examiner. The re-examination has the same form.

The official description publishes no percentage split for attendance, laboratories, participation points, team work or a separate written examination. The team project supplies evidence for the portfolio, but assessment is individual. Follow itslearning for operational submission instructions or formally announced changes.

Project work begins early

Teams normally consist of three students. Project ideas and proposals begin in Module 1 and are refined as new technical material is introduced. Module 10 is an integration and verification review, not the first proposal activity.

Automatic Raspberry Pi-based GPS tracker

A complete sample examination report is available in PDF format.

Environmental monitoring station

Acquire, validate, store and publish environmental measurements.

Greenhouse automation

Sense climate, control equipment and provide remote supervision.

Field-robot telemetry

Report location, operating state, sensor values and faults.

LoRaWAN sensor network

Connect field nodes through TTN to a private-cloud service.

Intelligent irrigation

Combine sensing, decisions, valve control, logging and safe failure handling.

Fall 2026

Lecture plan

No.DateLecture topic
0104 Sep 2026Linux fundamentals and development environment
0211 Sep 2026Embedded Linux Platforms, Raspberry Pi, Services, and Automation
0318 Sep 2026Distributed Networking, Web Services, Monitoring, and Remote Management
0425 Sep 2026Sensors, Actuators, GPIO, and Serial Interfaces
0502 Oct 2026Microcontrollers and Distributed Embedded Nodes
0609 Oct 2026Wireless Acquisition, LoRa Peer-to-Peer, and MQTT
0723 Oct 2026LoRaWAN, TTN, Gateways, Tracking, and Private-Cloud Integration
0806 Nov 2026ROS 2: Robot Integration, Simulation, and Deployment
0913 Nov 2026Home Assistant, Edge AI, Local LLMs, and Intelligent Systems
1020 Nov 2026Project Integration, Security, and Verification
1127 Nov 2026Implementation, Debugging, and Deployment
1204 Dec 2026Demonstrations and the Individual Portfolio

Meetings use four 50-minute slots, normally divided between theory and laboratory work. The SDU timetable remains authoritative for dates, times and rooms.

Course structure

Lecture modules

01Linux fundamentals and development environmentLinux vocabulary, command-line work, simple automation and a first project concept→02Embedded Linux Platforms, Raspberry Pi, Services, and AutomationRaspberry Pi platforms, boot, storage, secure administration, services, and managed deployment→03Distributed Networking, Web Services, Monitoring, and Remote ManagementDistributed Networking, Web Services, Monitoring, and Remote Management→04Sensors, Actuators, GPIO, and Serial InterfacesSensor interfaces, GPIO, communication protocols, actuators, and sensor-to-actuator systems→05Microcontrollers and Distributed Embedded NodesMicrocontroller architecture, representative MCU families, peripheral interfaces, real-time behavior, communication protocols, and distributed Linux–MCU embedded systems→06Wireless Acquisition, LoRa Peer-to-Peer, and MQTTWireless Links, LoRa Peer-to-Peer Communication, and MQTT-Based Data Acquisition→07LoRaWAN, TTN, Gateways, Tracking, and Private-Cloud IntegrationA practical introduction to low-power wide-area networking and IoT deployment→08ROS 2: Robot Integration, Simulation, and DeploymentArchitecture, Communication, Simulation, and Real-World Robot Deployment→09Home Assistant, Edge AI, Local LLMs, and Intelligent SystemsFrom Home Assistant automation to edge inference, local language models, and safe intelligent control→10Project Integration, Security, and VerificationFrom requirements and architecture to security, verification, deployment, and operational evidence.→11Implementation, Debugging, and DeploymentEvidence-led implementation, systematic debugging, and reliable deployment→12Demonstrations and the Individual PortfolioEngineering demonstrations, individual evidence, and portfolio-based assessment.→