Introduction to Architecting Smart IoT Devices (Coursera)

Offered by EIT Digital,
Introduction to Architecting Smart IoT Devices (Coursera)

Embedded Systems are so ubiquitous that some of us take them for granted: we find them in smartphones, GPS systems, airplanes and so on. But have you ever wondered how these devices actually work? If so, you're in the right place! In this course, you'll learn about the characteristics of embedded systems: the possibilities, dangers, complications and recipes for success.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

We'll discuss all of this in the framework of a flourishing embedded systems field: the Internet of Things, where billions of intercommunicating devices could enable unprecedented, innovative products and services. If you'd like to learn how to create similarly innovative products, then this is the course for you!
At the end of the course, you'll be able to:

  • make the right choice for your own project when it comes to the target market, parallel executions, time and the lifecycle of your system
  • hack, avoid failure and promote success
  • decide whether to buy or to build components
  • how to assemble a good team
  • install case tools
  • learn how to work with SysML

This is an introductory course. Check out our more advanced course Architecting Smart IoT Devices soon if you want to go beyond the basics!

Syllabus

WEEK 1
What are Embedded Systems?
This first module will define what embedded systems are by looking at the most important EmS market areas and different characteristics of EmS. Furthermore we will talk about dealing with multiple events at the same time, the importance of world time, and the duration of an EmS lifecycle.

WEEK 2
Problems and Failures
In this module we will be tackling the problems of existing embedded systems and system hackings, the failure of systems and how we can make these systems more successful, the influence of production quantity, and the increasing EmS complexity.

WEEK 3
System Life Cycle
This last module will discuss the different models to design a system lifecycle, the gathering of requirements for architectural design, and the use of structural models and modelling language.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments (Coursera)

Welcome to the Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments. This course is focused on giving you real world coding experience and hands on project work with ARM based Microcontrollers. You will learn how to implement software configuration management and develop embedded software applications. Course assignments include creating a build system using the GNU Toolchain GCC, using Git version control, and developing software in Linux on a Virtual Machine.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Introduction and Programming with IoT Boards (Coursera) Coursera
Pohang University of Science and Technology - POSTECH

Introduction and Programming with IoT Boards (Coursera)

Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging area of information and communications technology (ICT) involving many disciplines of computer science and engineering including sensors/actuators, communications networking, server platforms, data analytics and smart applications. IoT is considered to be an essential part of the 4th Industrial Revolution along with AI and Big Data. This course will be very useful to senior undergraduate and graduate students as well as engineers who are working in the industry.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Raspberry Pi Platform and Python Programming for the Raspberry Pi (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

The Raspberry Pi Platform and Python Programming for the Raspberry Pi (Coursera)

The Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable single-board computer that you will use to design and develop fun and practical IoT devices while learning programming and computer hardware. In addition, you will learn how to set up up the Raspberry Pi environment, get a Linux operating system running, and write and execute some basic Python code on the Raspberry Pi. You will also learn how to use Python-based IDE (integrated development environments) for the Raspberry Pi and how to trace and debug Python code on the device.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Architecting Smart IoT Devices (Coursera) Coursera
EIT Digital

Architecting Smart IoT Devices (Coursera)

This course will teach you how to develop an embedded systems device. In order to reduce the time to market, many pre-made hardware and software components are available today. You'll discover all the available hardware and software components, such as processor families, operating systems, boards and networks. You'll also learn how to actually use and integrate these components.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Capstone: Autonomous Runway Detection for IoT (Coursera) Coursera
EIT Digital

Capstone: Autonomous Runway Detection for IoT (Coursera)

The students will develop a larger system using the learning outcomes from these courses, and the students will evaluate the developed system in a real-world programming environment. This course is a true engineering task in which the student must, not only implement the algorithm code, but also handle the interfaces between many different actors and hardware platforms.

Nov 2nd 2026
3 Weeks
Technologies and platforms for Artificial Intelligence (Coursera) Coursera
Politecnico di Milano

Technologies and platforms for Artificial Intelligence (Coursera)

This course will address the hardware technologies for machine and deep learning (from the units of an Internet-of-Things system to a large-scale data centers) and will explore the families of machine and deep learning platforms (libraries and frameworks) for the design and development of smart applications and systems.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
IoT Communications and Networks (Coursera) Coursera
Institut Mines-Telecom

IoT Communications and Networks (Coursera)

By presenting the building blocks of the IoT network architecture, this MOOC will help learners adapt to the fast changing communications and networking environment of IoT. The IoT world represents billions of sophisticated objects, such as sensors, actuators and meters, that are deployed nearly everywhere, in homes, hospitals, factories, cities, and are connected to the Internet. However, they come with limited capacity in terms of memory storage, computational power and energy; how can these objects then ensure network reliability and timely transmission?

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
IoT Based System Design: Foundations and Applications (Coursera) Coursera
Starweaver

IoT Based System Design: Foundations and Applications (Coursera)

IoT-Based System Design: Foundations and Applications is a comprehensive course designed to provide learners with a solid understanding of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and their practical applications. Through a combination of theoretical learning and hands-on exercises, participants will explore the fundamental concepts, hardware components, software platforms, and real-world use cases of IoT systems. The course is structured to cater to learners ranging from beginners to those with intermediate-level knowledge in the field, offering a progressive learning experience that equips them with the skills needed to design, develop, and deploy IoT solutions across various industries.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Enterprise and Infrastructure Security (Coursera) Coursera
New York University

Enterprise and Infrastructure Security (Coursera)

This course introduces a series of advanced and current topics in cyber security, many of which are especially relevant in modern enterprise and infrastructure settings. The basics of enterprise compliance frameworks are provided with introduction to NIST and PCI. Hybrid cloud architectures are shown to provide an opportunity to fix many of the security weaknesses in modern perimeter local area networks.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Internet of Things: Sensing and Actuation From Devices (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Internet of Things: Sensing and Actuation From Devices (Coursera)

Have you wondered how information from physical devices in the real world gets communicated to Smartphone processors? Do you want to make informed design decisions about sampling frequencies and bit-width requirements for various kinds of sensors? Do you want to gain expertise to affect the real world with actuators such as stepper motors, LEDs and generate notifications? In this course, you will learn to interface common sensors and actuators to the DragonBoard™ 410c hardware. You will then develop software to acquire sensory data, process the data and actuate stepper motors, LEDs, etc. for use in mobile-enabled products.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Energy Management for IoT Devices (Coursera) Coursera
Starweaver

Energy Management for IoT Devices (Coursera)

Energy Management for IoT Devices is a comprehensive course designed to introduce participants to the integration of energy management techniques within IoT systems. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical applications, the course equips current and aspiring professionals with a deep understanding of the pivotal role energy management plays in the IoT landscape. Over 4.0 hours, participants will explore various thematic aspects of energy management in IoT, emphasizing real-world applications and skill-building exercises.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Interfacing with the Arduino (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Interfacing with the Arduino (Coursera)

Arduino senses the environment by receiving inputs from add-on devices such as sensors, and can control the world around it by adjusting lights, motors, and other actuators. In this class you will learn how and when to use the different types of sensors and how to connect them to the Arduino. Since the external world uses continuous or analog signals and the hardware is digital you will learn how these signals are converted back-and-forth and how this must be considered as you program your device. You'll also learn about the use of Arduino-specific shields and the shields software libraries to interface with the real world.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks