Embedded System

Module-1
By
Dr. Manoj Prabhakaran . K
Assistant Professor,
SEEE,VIT Bhopal
 Module-1-Syllabus
Introduction to Embedded System
• General Purpose versus Embedded System Design,
• Classification of embedded systems,
• Characteristics Of Embedded Systems,
• Components Of Embedded Systems,
• Example Of An Embedded System (Examples: Chocolate vending
machine, Automotive Airbag System, Portable Music Player),
• Microcontroller Selection Criteria,
• Embedded System Design Challenges,
• Performance and Benchmarking Tools.
 Embedded System
• An embedded device is a part of an integrated system which is formed as an
combination of computer hardware and software for a specific function and
which can operate without human interaction.
• All systems that contain one or more processing units usually it is micro-
controller to do specific functionalities and give responses upon receiving
inputs, This processor is not for general purposes like general purpose
Processor in PC’s and notebooks.
• Computing systems with tightly coupled hardware and software integration,
that are designed to perform a dedicated and repeated function.
Embedded System
 Embedded System
• Embedded systems are built to have very close control over the hardware using
firmware, which is a type of software used for this purpose. Assembly language is
often used to develop firmware, as it provides direct control over specific hardware
components.
• Modern embedded systems contain a microcontroller, which consists of a central
processing unit (CPU) to process data, as well as a fixed amount of RAM and ROM.
Earlier embedded systems were based on microprocessors that contained only the
CPU.
• Most embedded systems solely run the firmware added to the device by the
manufacturer. However, some devices can have their firmware updated by the user.
• Advantages of embedded systems
As embedded systems are specialized to the tasks they perform, they can have a number of
benefits. They are:
• Highly efficient at performing tasks
• Extremely reliable
• Easy to design
• Cheap to produce
• Compact in size
• Low in power consumption
 General Purpose Computer
• A computer is a combination of hardware and software resources
which integrate together and provides various functionalities to the
user.
• A computer system that can do many functionalities depending on
• Available hardware
• Installed programs
Example:
• PCs
• Servers,
• Laptop
 General Purpose Computer Vs Embedded System
1 Human Interaction A computer needs Human Interaction to perform tasks. Embedded device does not need Human Interaction to perform tasks.

Analog computer, Digital computer, Hybrid computer, Harvard architecture, Small Scale Embedded System, Medium Scale Embedded Systems, Sophisticated
Types based on
Von Neumann architecture, Reduced instruction set computer or Complex Embedded Systems
2 architecture
3 Parts It has 2 parts: Hardware and Software. It has 3 parts: Hardware, Firmware and Software.
4 Tasks It can perform many tasks. It performs limited tasks.
5 Cost to user The user has to pay more for a computer. The user incurs lesser cost for an embedded system.
Embedded Devices have peripherals such as Serial Communication Interfaces
Computers have peripherals such as keyboard and mouse, display, printer,
Peripherals (SCI), Synchronous Serial Communication Interface, Universal Serial Bus (USB),
Hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, optical disc drives etc.
6 Multi Media Cards (SD cards, Compact Flash) etc.
7 Purpose Computers can be reprogrammed to for a new purpose. Embedded Devices are made only for a specific set of purposes.

Power Consumption Computer needs more operational power than Embedded Devices. Embedded Device needs lesser operational power than a Computer.
8
9 Complexity Computers are more complex devices than Embedded Devices. Embedded Devices are less complex devices than Computers.

Need of another device Computers may be installed in other devices but are self-sufficient to exist. Embedded Devices only exist inside other Systems.
10
Computers are more Difficult when used, compared to an Embedded
11 Usage Difficulty Embedded are easier to use than Computers.
System.
User Interfaces It requires more user interface than Embedded Devices. It requires lesser to no user interface than Computers.
12
Computers are not time specific. They may need to perform tasks which Embedded Devices are time specific. The tasks assigned to them need to be
13 Time Specificity
are not time bound and take days to perform as well. performed within a specific time frame.
Computers are usually bigger in size with larger hardware and input output
Size Embedded Devices are smaller in size than Computers, with limited hardware.
14 devices attached to it.
15 Developed in 1965 A.D. 1833 A.D.
16 Developer Charles Stark Draper Charles Babbage
17 Memory Requirement Computers have larger memory requirement due to a lot of storage of data. Embedded Devices need lesser Memory.
 Classification of Embedded System
• Embedded System are classified based on the two factors i.e.
• Performance and Functional Requirements
• Performance of Micro-controllers
 Performance and Functional Requirements
1. Stand-alone embedded systems
• Stand-alone embedded systems work by themselves and do not require a host system to
handle the communication of data between devices or other computer systems. Examples of
stand-alone embedded systems are digital watches, MP3 players and video games consoles.
2. Real-time embedded systems
• A real-time embedded system is designed to perform a task within a specific time period,
such as streaming video and audio. These can be further classified into three types: hard,
firm, and soft real-time systems. Examples-Traffic control system, Military and Health
3. Networked embedded systems
• Networked embedded systems are connected to a network of devices so that they can share
and access resources. An example of a networked embedded system is a card machine for
taking payments by credit or debit card and Home security systems.
4. Mobile embedded systems
• Mobile embedded systems are found in portable electronics. These are easy to transport but
may have limitations, such as the amount of memory or resources available. Examples are
fitness trackers, Mobile phones and digital cameras.
 Performance and Micro-controller
• Small Scale Embedded Systems :
1. Designed using an 8-bit or 16-bit micro-controller.
2. They can be powered by a battery.
3. The processor uses very less/limited resources of memory and processing speed.
4. Mainly these systems does not act as an independent system they act as any component of computer system but
they did not compute and dedicated for a specific task.

• Medium Scale Embedded Systems :

1. Designed using an 16-bit or 32-bit micro-controller.
2. These medium Scale Embedded Systems are faster than that of small Scale Embedded Systems. Integration of
hardware and software is complex in these systems.
3. Java, C, C++ are the programming languages are used to develop medium scale embedded systems.
4. Different type of software tools like compiler, debugger, simulator etc. are used to develop these type of systems.

• Sophisticated or Complex Embedded Systems :

1. Designed using multiple 32-bit or 64-bit micro-controller.
2. These systems are developed to perform large scale complex functions.
3. These systems have high hardware and software complexities.
4. We use both hardware and software components to design final systems or hardware products.
 Characteristics of an Embedded System
• Performs specific task –
Embedded systems performs some specific function or tasks.
• Low Cost –
The price of embedded system is not so expensive.
• Time Specific –
It performs the tasks with in a certain time frame.
• Low Power –
Embedded Systems don’t require much power to operate.
• High Efficiency –
The efficiency level of embedded systems are so high.
• Minimal User interface –
These systems require less user interface and easy to use.
• Less Human intervention –
Embedded systems require no human intervention or very less human intervention.
• Highly Stable –
Embedded systems not change frequently mostly fixed maintaining stability.
• High Reliability –
Embedded systems are reliable they perform the tasks consistently well.
• Use microprocessors or micro controllers –
Embedded systems use microprocessors or micro controllers to design and use limited memory.
 Components of an Embedded System

1. Microprocessor / Microcontroller
2. Sensors
3. Converters (A-D and D-A)
4. Actuators
5. Memory (On-chip and Off chip)
6. Communication path with the interacting environment
Applications-Automotive
 Applications-Automotive
Automotive
• Electronics represents 40% of total cost of a car.
• 90% of new car features require software
Applications-Automotive
 Applications-Automotive
• ECUs are used in different functions of the car :
• Engine Control • Lighting Control
• Transmission Control • Airbag Control
• Fuel Efficiency Control • Telemetric Control
• Electric Power Steering • Mirror Control
• Speed Control • Security System Control
• Brake Control • Windshield Blades Control
• Suspension System Control • Entertainment
• Battery Management • Human-machine interface
• Seat Control (HMI)
• Door Control • And a lot more …..
• Electric Windows Control
 Applications-Mobiles and Tablets
Contains mainly three types of processors:
1. Communication Processor(s)
 Wifi
 GSM/3G/LTE
 Bluetooth/NFC
2. Audio/Graphics Processor(s)
 Audio Processing
 Graphics and Video Processing
3. Application Processor
 Android
 Windows Phone
 iOS
Applications- Telecommunication and Networking Devices
Applications- Robotics
 Applications- Robotics
Product: NASA's Mars Sojourner Rover 1996,low cost spacecraft .
Using 8-bit Intel Microprocessor 80C85.
Applications- Image Processing
Applications- Aircrafts
Applications- Military
Applications- Industrial Automation
Applications- Medical Equipment's
Case study-1: Automatic Chocolate Vending Machine
 Process of ACVM
• Coin insertion slot
• Keypad on the top of the machine.
• LCD display unit on the top of the machine. It displays menus, text
entered into the ACVM and pictograms, welcome, thank and other
messages.
• Graphic interactions with the machine.
• Displays time and date
• Delivery slot so that child can collect the chocolate and coins, if
refunded.
• Internet connection port so that owner can know status of the ACVM
sales from remote.
Basic system of ACVM
 Function of ACVM
 A child (user) sends commands to the ACVM using a GUI (graphic user interface). GUI
consists of the LCD and keypad units.
 At first, the child inserts the coins ( Task_Collect through Port_Collect) for the cost of
chocolate and the machine delivers the chocolate in the delivery slot.
 If the coins are not inserted as per the cost of chocolate for a reasonable amount of time,
then all coins are refunded (Task_Refund through Port_Refund).
 If the inserted coins amount is more than the cost of chocolate, the excess amount is
refunded along with chocolate (Task_ExcessRefund through Port_ExcessRefund).
 If the chocolate is of different rupees, then the port is assigned to each rupee, and then
the interrupt is sent to the corresponding port (Task_ReadPorts through Port_Read).
 After that chocolate is delivered through the delivery slot (Task_Deliver through
Port_Deliver).
 The coins for the chocolates purchased collect inside the machine in a collector channel
(Task_Collect), so that owner can get the money, again through appropriate commands
using the GUI (Task_Display).
 USB wireless modem enables communication through Internet to the ACVM system
owner.
 Hardware Requirement of ACVM
• Microcontroller or ASIP (Application Specific Instruction Set processor)
• RAM for storing temporary variables and stack
• ROM for application codes and RTOS codes for scheduling the tasks
• Flash memory for storing user preferences, contact data, user address, user
date of birth, user identification code, answers of FAQs.
• Timer and Interrupt controller
• A TCP/IP port (Internet broadband connection) to the ACVM for remote
control and for getting ACVM status reports by owner.
• ACVM specific hardware
• Power supply
 Software Requirement of ACVM
• RTOS-Real Time Operating System
• Keypad input read
• Display
• Read coins
• Deliver chocolate
• TCP/IP stack processing
• TCP/IP stack communication
Microcontroller
 Microcontroller
• Basically a microcontroller can be described as a computer on a chip. a single
chip containing a CPU, non-volatile memory (ROM), volatile memory(RAM), a
timer and an I/O control unit.
• A microcontroller apart from the above mentioned components usually also
include serial communication capabilities, interrupt controls and analog I/O
capabilities.
• Used for a few dedicated functions determined by the system designer.
• Microcontrollers don’t work alone in the circuit it must interfaces with other
on chip devices like Sensors, Switches, Leds, LCD, Keypad and DC Motor
• Microcontroller can accept inputs from some components and provide
outputs to other components within any given system.
• Differences in requirements, make the manufacturers produce different
microcontrollers with different memory sizes, number of I/O lines and number
of integrated peripheral devices. Other wise they are all similar to use.
 Microcontroller Selection Criteria
• Make a list of required hardware
interfaces • Investigate compilers and
tools
• Examine the software architecture
• Start Experimenting
• Select the architecture
• Processing power
• Start searching for
microcontrollers • Temperature tolerance
• Examine Costs and Power • Power efficiency
Constraints • Security
• Check part availability • Memory.
• Select a development kit
 Embedded System Design Challenges

• Challenges of Embedded Software Development

• Challenge #1: Stability
• Challenge #2: Safety
• Challenge #3: Security
• Challenge #4: Launch Phase
• Challenge #5: Design Limitations
• Challenge #6: Compatibility and Integrity
 Performance and Benchmarking
• Computing Power
• CPU Power-(
https://openbenchmarking.org/test/pts/x11perf) and
(https://openbenchmarking.org/test/pts/dcraw)
• GPU Power-
(https://openbenchmarking.org/test/pts/shoc)
• Memory Bandwidth-
(https://openbenchmarking.org/test/pts/stream) and
(https://openbenchmarking.org/test/pts/cl-mem)
• System Configuration
• Power Consumption
• Power Dissipation

https://www.eembc.org/
Thank you