Nexos: a next generation embedded systems laboratory

The Nexos Project is a joint effort at Marquette University (MU) and University of Buffalo (UB) to build curriculum materials and a supporting experimental laboratory for hands-on projects in embedded systems courses. Our approach focuses on inexpensive, flexible, commodity embedded hardware, (the Linksys WRT54GL wireless router,) freely available development and debugging tools, and a fresh implementation of a classic operating system that is now ideal for embedded system exploration. The prototype laboratory environment is being used in multiple courses at our respective Universities, with excellent results. We report on the infrastructure we have developed, the goals and content of our initial course offerings at both schools, and an evaluation of our success thus far.