MODULE 1

INTRODUCTION

Embedded System:
• A system is an arrangement in which all units assemble and work together according to
the Plan or program.
• An embedded system is a system that has embedded software and computer-hardware,
which makes it a system dedicated for an application or specific part of an application
or product or a part of a larger system.
• Any system that has a microprocessor or a microcontroller embedded into the system
to control the system is called as embedded system.
• It is a combination of a computer hardware with the software to control, monitor,
communicate or do multiple operations.

Classification:
Based on Performance and Functional Requirements
1) Real-Time Embedded Systems: A Real-Time Embedded System is strictly time
specific which means these embedded systems provides output in a particular/defined
time interval. This type of embedded systems provides quick response in critical
situations which gives most priority to time-based task performance and generation of
output.
a. Soft Real Time Embedded Systems –In these types of embedded systems
time/deadline is not so strictly followed. If deadline of the task is passed (means
the system didn’t give result in the defined time) still result or output is accepted.
b. Hard Real Time Embedded Systems –In these types of embedded systems
time/deadline of task is strictly followed. Task must be completed in between
time frame (defined time interval) otherwise result/output may not be accepted.
2) Stand Alone Embedded Systems: Stand Alone Embedded Systems are independent
systems which can work by themselves they don’t depend on a host system. It takes
input in digital or analog form and provides the output.
3) Networked Embedded Systems: Networked Embedded Systems are connected to a
network which may be wired or wireless to provide output to the attached device. They
communicate with embedded web server through network.
4) Mobile Embedded Systems: Mobile embedded systems are small and easy to use and
requires less resources. They are the most preferred embedded systems. In portability
point of view mobile embedded systems are also best.

Based on Performance and micro-controller it is divided into 3 types as follows:

1) Small Scale Embedded Systems: Small Scale Embedded Systems are designed using
an 8-bit or 16-bit micro-controller. They can be powered by a battery. The processor
 uses very less/limited resources of memory and processing speed. Mainly these systems
do 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.

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

3) Sophisticated or Complex Embedded Systems: Sophisticated or Complex Embedded

Systems are designed using multiple 32-bit or 64-bit micro-controller. These systems
are developed to perform large scale complex functions. These systems have high
hardware and software complexities. We use both hardware and software components
to design final systems or hardware products.

Applications:
1) Smart Homes: Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular, and embedded
systems play a significant role in making them possible. Embedded systems are used in
smart thermostats, lighting systems, and security systems, among others. These systems
can be controlled remotely, making it possible to manage your home from anywhere in
the world.
2) Healthcare Devices: Embedded systems are used in healthcare devices such as insulin
pumps, pacemakers, and blood glucose monitors. These devices require real-time
responses, and embedded systems provide the necessary speed and accuracy. They are
utilized in virtually every type of imaging system, including PET scans, CT scans, and
MRIs, as well as for monitoring vital signs, amplification in electronic stethoscopes,
and other purposes.
3) Automotive: Embedded systems are used in automotive applications such as anti-lock
braking systems, airbag control systems, and engine management systems. These
systems provide real-time responses, making them essential for ensuring the safety of
drivers and passengers.
4) Consumer Electronics: Embedded systems are used in consumer electronics such as
smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. These systems provide the necessary speed
and accuracy to ensure that these devices work seamlessly.
5) Industrial Automation: Embedded systems are used in industrial automation
applications such as process control systems, robotics, and factory automation systems.
These systems provide real-time responses, making them essential for ensuring the
smooth operation of industrial processes.
 6) Aerospace: Embedded systems are used in aerospace applications such as aircraft
control systems, navigation systems, and communication systems. These systems
provide the necessary speed and accuracy to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
7) Military: Embedded systems are used in military applications such as missile guidance
systems, radar systems, and communication systems. These systems provide the
necessary speed and accuracy to ensure the success of military operations.

Purpose:
 Enabling Real-Time Functionality: The purpose of embedded systems includes
enabling real-time functionality in various applications. Real-time embedded systems
respond to input signals and provide immediate output, ensuring timely and accurate
system responses. Examples of real-time embedded systems include medical
monitoring devices, automotive control systems, and industrial automation equipment.
 Enhancing System Reliability and Safety: Embedded systems ensure system
reliability and safety in several industries and applications. For example, in the
automotive industry, embedded systems control anti-lock braking systems, airbag
deployment, and engine management. These systems improve vehicle performance,
reliability, and safety, contributing to reduced accidents and fatalities. Their purpose is
to provide reliable and fault-tolerant operation, ensuring a safe and secure environment
for users.
 Enabling Connectivity and Internet of Things (IoT): The purpose of embedded
systems in IoT application is to enable devices to gather and share data, improving
automation, energy efficiency, and decision-making. Examples of real-time embedded
systems include medical monitoring devices, automotive control systems, and
industrial automation equipment.
 Enabling Automation and Control Systems: The purpose of embedded systems in
automation and control systems is to process input data and generate real-time outputs,
controlling various equipment, and systems. Their objective is to automate critical
processes, reducing errors and increasing efficiency, reducing labor costs and
improving productivity.

Skills Required for an embedded system design:

Skills for Small Scale Embedded System Designer:
• Computer architecture and organization.
• Memories.
• Memory allocation.
• Interfacing memories.
• Burning (a term used for porting) the executable machine codes in PROM or ROM.
• Use of decoders and demultiplexers.
• Direct memory accesses.
 • Ports.
• Device drivers in assembly.
• Simple and sophisticated buses.
• Timers.
• Interrupt servicing mechanism.
• C programming elements.
• Memory optimization.
• Selection of hardware and microcontroller.
• Use of In-Circuit-Emulators (ICE), cross-assemblers and testing equipment.
• Debugging the software and hardware bugs by using test vectors.
• Basic knowledge in other areas-software engineering, data communication, control
engineering, motors and actuators, sensors and measurements, analog electronic design
and IC design and manufacture can be obtained from the standard text books available.

Skills for Medium Scale Embedded System Designer:

(i) Tasks or threads and their scheduling by RTOS.
(ii) Cooperative and preemptive scheduling.
(iii) Inter processor communication functions.
(iv) Use of shared data, and programming the critical sections and re-entrant functions.
(v) Use of semaphores. mailboxes, queues, sockets and pipes.
(vi) Handling of interrupt-latencies and meeting task deadlines.
(vii) Use of various RTOS functions.
(viii) Use of physical and virtual device drivers.

Skills for Sophisticated Embedded System Designer:

 A team is needed to co-design and solve the high-level complexities of hardware and
software design.
 Embedded system hardware engineers should have skills in hardware units and basic
knowledge of "C/C++ and Java, RTOS and other programming tools.
 Software engineers should have basic knowledge in hardware and a thorough
knowledge of 'C', RTOS and other programming tools

Design Challenge - Optimizing designing metrics:

1) NRE cost (Nonrecurring Engineering cost): These include those costs that are not
recurring i.e. only one-time cost. For example, the research cost, the prototype
 preparing cost, dye preparing cost if any and so on. The PCB designing cost can also
be included in this.
2) Manufacturing cost: The cost that is recurring or separate for each unit comes under
this head. Since it is the cost involved in manufacturing each unit, it is called as the
manufacturing cost.
3) Size: Size of the system is measured in terms of (i) Physical space required (ii) Memory
capacity often measured in bytes for software and data (iii) Number of logic gates in
the hardware.
4) Performance: The performance of a system is measured by the time required to
execute a task. Smaller the execution time means higher performance.
5) Power: The power consumption is also an important attribute for the handheld
embedded systems or embedded systems used in field i.e. powered by the battery. If
the power consumption is less the battery lasts longer and hence it is considered as a
better system.
6) Flexibility: A system that can have changes made in it without investing in research or
the NRE costs are said to have flexibilities. Hence a system that has more flexibilities
is better.
7) Time-to-prototype: The time required to make a proto-type of the system is very
important. The time required should not be very high, else another competitor may
bring the product in the market.
8) Time-to-market: Time-to-market depends on design time, manufacturing time, and
testing time.
9) Maintainability: Modification in the system can be done by adding or updating
software, data and hardware.
10) Correctness: Correctness means to test the functionality of system as per specification.
Functionality can be checked throughout the process of designing the system and can
insert test circuitry to check the desired output.
11) System and user safety: This metric ensure that the system will not cause any harm.
System safety means safety interms of accidental fall from hand or table, theft e.g. a
mobile phone locking ability and tracing ability. User safety means safety for user when
using a product.

Time-to-Market

Time-to-market (TTM) has become a critical design metric in embedded system

development. TTM refers to the time required to bring a product from concept to market
availability. It significantly impacts competitiveness, cost, revenue, and customer satisfaction.

Embedded systems, being hardware-software co-designed products, face unique challenges

in achieving fast TTM while maintaining performance, reliability, security, and compliance.

 Time-to-market (TTM) has become a critical design metric in embedded system

development. TTM refers to the time required to bring a product from concept to market
availability
 Market window
 ▪ Period during which the product would have highest sales
 Average time-to-market constraint is about 8 months
 Delays can be costly