Development of microprocesor in-service training courses

Abstract

Under the aegis of the Department of Industry's Microprocessor Application Project, originated in 1978, the University of Salford has for two years been runing one of the most ambitious short course programmes associated with this scheme. The equipment used has been expanded from the basic single-board microprocessor systems, programmable only in hexadecimal machine code, which were initially used, to a full 15-station microprocessor development laboratory. Each station can make use of a range of software aids such as cross assemblers and cross-compilers hosted by the Electrical Engineering Department's Prime 550, and has access to ample hard-disk file storage. At the same time, each station can be used as a stand-alone basic development system for the more elementary courses. The Salford scheme includes several novel features in addition to the hardware. The basic scheme is modular in form, and extensions such as “workshop” courses and basic awareness courses held at outside venues are also offered. The latter have proved particularly popular. It has been found that courses must be continually improved and modified, and that new courses must be continually developed, to meet the rapidly-changing needs of industry.