Rodrigo Taira participated in the "Students without borders" program at the University of Nottingham from 2014-2015. He took two modules related to embedded design and firmware development, receiving grades of 58% and 53% respectively. For the first module he completed programming exercises using microcontrollers, achieving 60% on the exam. In the second module he developed a graphical user interface and programmed an Arduino, receiving 52% on the exam. Rodrigo began a research project over the summer but had to stop due to medical reasons. The lecturer recommends Rodrigo as a promising entry-level embedded developer based on his dedication and work completing the challenging modules in a foreign language.

1. To whom it may concern
Reference to Rodrigo Tsutomu Taira
Rodrigo arrived to the University of Nottingham in October 2014 as a participant of the
program “Students without borders”.
He expressed keen interest in embedded design and firmware development, and enrolled
into two related modules that I teach.
First module, H63ECH Embedded computing is a 10 credits module offered for 3rd year
undergraduate and postgraduate students. It covers macro and micro architecture,
assembly and C programming, use of peripherals and interrupts for low cost 8 bit
microcontrollers based of the PIC16 parts from Microchip. There is a coursework which
contributes 30% of the module’s grade and consists of a set of assembly and C
programming exercises completed by students using take home kits. Rodrigo completed
all the basic and intermediate tasks and accumulated the grade of 52%. At the exam he
achieved 60% which increased his total mark for the module to 58% which was just short
of the first class grade.
The second module, H64CSA Hardware accelerated computing, is a 10 credit module
offered for 4th year undergraduate students and postgraduate students with the
prerequisite of H63ECH. It covers design and optimization specific hardware accelerators
and general macro and micro computer architectures for conventional 32 bit processors
(ARM, MIPS, x86). The coursework is worth 30% of the module; the students develop
graphical user interface (GUI) using Matlab, and connect to an Arduino Nano that bridges
a PC with a display/keyboard module. The coursework involves soldering of an interface
board, Arduino and Matlab programming, GUI design, development of a custom digital
communication protocol. Rodrigo achieved 56% at the coursework and 52% at the exam.
These marks made his module total equal to 53% which was a solid 2:1 grade.
In summer Rodrigo became involved in a research project related to building a web server
based on BeagleBoneBlack single board computer. He started well but medical reasons
prevented him from completing the project.
Overall Mr Taira demonstrated good dedication to embedded design and firmware
developments, appropriate background and work ethics to successfully complete two
quite challenging modules in a foreign country with the language different from his native
one. I think he accumulated a good experience during his study in the UK, and can
recommend him as a promising entry level embedded developer.
Regards
Alexander

2. ==============================
Dr Alexander Kalashnikov
PhD DSc SMIEEE
Associate Professor of Electronic Architectures
and Embedded Computing
Final year projects coordinator
(Office hours: Mondays and Thursdays 5-6 pm)
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
University of Nottingham
University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
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