Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension:
Email:
7285
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2014-2015
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to:
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project (max 30 words):
Support for NuttX Real-Time Operating System in ValleyForge Embedded Toolchain
Project Leader(s):
Edwin Hayes (Unison Networks Limited) & Professor Phil Bones (UC)
Host Department/Organization:
Unison Networks Limited, UC Department of Electrical Engineering & NZi3
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Affiliation to project
Jamie Schiel
Unison Employee
Josh McCulloch
PhD Student
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project – maximum of 400 words (box will expand as you type).
Note that this information will be published on the web in order to attract student applicants and therefore be
mindful of any Intellectual Property issues
Complex embedded systems such as autopilots for Unmanned Aerial Systems often make use of Real-Time
Operating Systems. NuttX is a relatively new RTOS which borrows heavily from the POSIX API, and with a
number of useful and rather unique features (such as providing a shell user interface on micros as small as
8-bit AVRs).
In this project, the student will add support for easily using the NuttX RTOS, including its virtual filesystem,
from within an overarching development framework. This will involve a combination of embedded
programming for validation, and scripting to automate use and configuration of the RTOS.
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The project will build upon the functionality of the ValleyForge Embedded Toolchain, an open source,
industry sponsored tool for embedded software development, which has been created in part by UC summer
interns over the three preceding years.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
The project will be entirely based on campus; the student will work within a larger project team based in
NZi3.
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
The project should not require the student to work outside of normal university hours.
Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research project –
maximum of 100 words.
This will be an excellent opportunity for a student who intends to focus on embedded software development
to gain experience using and configuring an RTOS, which is often not well covered in the scope of a typical
undergraduate degree. Skills using RTOS' are a very common requirement for embedded systems
employers, and this experience will offer the student a head start in terms of value to potential employers.
The student will have an opportunity to contribute to an actively developed open-source project, and to take
ownership of their area of responsibility.
Additionally, being closely tied to existing industry driven research, the project forms an opportunity for the
student to experience working as part of a cross-discipline team.
The project will provide an excellent introduction to current research in UAS, providing a valuable first step
for a student interested in working on UAS technologies in 2014 or beyond.
Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if specific
courses/experience are necessary.
Any computer science or engineering student, who plans on focussing on embedded software development,
can be considered.
Strong communication skills, and ability to understand and take responsibility for one area within the context
of a larger project, will be important.
Perference may be given to students with experience in key skills: embedded programming using C/C++,
scripting using BASH, or experience using an RTOS.
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