Chapter 1: Introduction

to Embedded Systems
Compiled by: Tigabu Yaya
Introduction to Embedded System
• System
o It is a method of working, organizing, or
performing one or more tasks according to
a fixed plan, program or set of rules
o An arrangement of multiple units,
assembled to work together according to
the specific given instructions.

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Introduction to Embedded System
• System Examples
o Watch
o It is a time display SYSTEM
o Parts: Hardware, Needles,
Battery, Dial, Chassis and
Strap
o Rules
o 1.All needles move clockwise only
o 2.A thin needle rotates every second
o 3.A long needle rotates every minute
o 4.A short needle rotates every hour
o 5.All needles return to the original
position after 12 hours 3
 Introduction to Embedded System
• System Examples
o WASHING MACHINE
o It is an automatic clothes washing SYSTEM
o Parts: Status display panel, Switches & Dials,
Motor, Power supply & control unit, Inner water
level sensor and solenoid valve.
o Rules
o 1.Wash by spinning
o 2.Rinse
o 3.Drying
o 4.Wash over by blinking
o 5.Each step display the process stage
o 6.In case interruption, execute only the remaining
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Introduction to Embedded System
• Embedded System
o An Electronic/Electro mechanical system which is
designed to perform a specific function (dedicated
function) and is a combination of both hardware
and firmware (Software).
 An embedded system is a special-purpose
computer system designed to perform a dedicated
function.
o can be either an independent system, or it
can be a part of a large system.
 Embedded systems are not always standalone
devices. Many embedded systems consist of small,
computerized parts within a larger device that
serves a more general purpose.
o It is mostly designed for a specific function or few
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functions within a larger system.
Introduction to Embedded System
• Embedded System
o Example: a washing machine can only
wash clothes, an air conditioner can
control the temperature in the room in
which it is placed.
o The hardware & mechanical components
will consist all the physically visible things
that are used for input, output, etc.
o An embedded system will always have a
chip (either microprocessor or
microcontroller) that has the code or
software which drives the system.
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Introduction to Embedded System
• Air Conditioner
o An Air Conditioner from an embedded
systems point of view has:
a. Hardware: Remote, Display & buzzer,
Infrared Sensors, electronic circuitry.
b. Software: It has a chip on the circuit that
holds the software which drives controls &
monitors the various operations possible.
The software monitors the external
temperature through the sensors and then
releases the coolant or suppresses it.
c. Mechanical Components: the internals of
an air conditioner the motor, the chassis,
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the outlet, etc.
Introduction to Embedded System
• Computing System
o Rapid pace of information technology is due to
introduction of new microprocessors
o Most of us think of desktop computers
– PC
– Laptop
– Mainframe
– Server
o Maybe at most handheld computer (PDA)
o In this course, we will look at another type of
computing system which is far more common
that you ever imagined
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Introduction to Embedded System
• Computing System
o Classification of computers:
– Servers:
• Big, expensive, available 24x7 (read “24 by 7”
or 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mainframes
are old servers made by IBM.
– Desktops:
• computers on your desk
– Laptops:
• computers you carry in your bag
– PDA (personal digital assistants):
• computers you carry in your pocket
– Embedded systems:
• computers that don’t look like computers! 9
o An embedded system is a type of computer
Introduction to Embedded System
• What is general purpose system?
o A computer system that can do many
functionalities depending on
 Available hardware
 Installed programs
o Examples
 PCs
 Laptops
 Servers

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Introduction to Embedded System
• Embedded System & General Purpose
Computer
o The Embedded System and the General
purpose computer are at two extremes.
o The embedded system is designed to perform a
specific task whereas as per definition the
general purpose computer is meant for general
use.
 It can be used for playing games, watching
movies, creating software, work on
documents or spreadsheets etc.

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Introduction to Embedded System
• ES & General Purpose Computer
o Following are certain specific points of
difference between embedded systems and
general purpose computers:

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Introduction to Embedded System
• ES & General Purpose Computer
o Following are certain specific points of
difference between embedded systems and
general purpose computers:

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Introduction to Embedded System
• Embedded System (Revision)
o Simple definition: Computing systems
embedded within electronic devices
o Nearly any computing system other than a
desktop computer
o Designed to perform a specific function
o Billions of units produced yearly, versus
millions of desktop units
o As Electrical Engineer, you may be required to
design an embedded system
– But you BUY (not design) a general purpose computer

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Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o The classification of embedded system is based
on following criteria's:
 On generation
 On complexity & performance
 On performance and functional
requirements of the system

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Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o The classification of embedded system is based
on following criteria's:

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Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o On Generation
1. First generation(1G):
o Built around 8bit microprocessor & microcontroller.
o Simple in hardware circuit & firmware developed.
o Examples: Digital telephone keypads.
2. Second generation(2G):
o Built around 16-bit μp & 8-bit μc.
o They are more complex & powerful than 1G μp & μc.
o Examples: SCADA systems
3. Third generation(3G):
o Built around 32-bit μp & 16-bit μc.
o Concepts like Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Application Specific
Integrated Circuits(ASICs) evolved.
o Examples: Robotics, Media, etc.
4. Fourth generation:
o Built around 64-bit μp & 32-bit μc.
o The concept of System on Chips (SoC), Multicore Processors evolved.
o Highly complex & very powerful.
o Examples: Smart Phones. 17
 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o On Complexity & Performance
1. Small Scale Embedded Systems
 These systems are designed with single 8 bit
or 16 bit Microcontroller, that may even be
activated by a battery.
 They have little hardware and software
complexity.
 Usually “C” is used for developing these
system.
 The need to limit power dissipation when
system is running continuously.
 Examples:- digital watches
 Main programming tools for developing
embedded SW for small scale ESs are:
 Editor, Assemble, Cross Assembler 18
specific and IDE
 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o On Complexity & Performance
2. Medium Scale Embedded Systems
 These systems are designed with a single or
few 16- or 32-bit microcontrollers or DSPs or
Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISCs).
 These have both hardware and software
complexities.
 Examples:- Ipod’s
 Main programming tools for developing
embedded SW for Medium scale ESs are:
 C, C++, java, Visual C++, RTOS, Source
code Engineering Tool, Simulator,
Debugger and Integrated Development
Environment (IDE).
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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o On Complexity & Performance
3. Large Scale Embedded Systems
 have enormous hardware and software
complexities
 Which may need scalable processor or
configurable processor and programming
logic arrays.
 Constrained by the processing speed available
in their hardware units.
 Examples:-washing machine
 Programming Tools:
 For these systems may not be readily
available at a reasonable cost or may not
be available at all. A compiler or
retargetable compiler might have to be 20
developed for this.
 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o Based On Performance and Functional
requirements
1. Stand-alone Embedded Systems
 Stand alone embedded system is a self-
contained device which does not require a host
system like a computer, it works by itself.
 able to function independently of other
hardware. This means it is not integrated
into another device.
 It takes either digital or analog inputs from its input
ports and processes, calculates and converts the
data and gives the resulting data through the
connected device-Which either controls, drives and
displays the connected devices.
 Examples:- MP3 players, Temperature measurement systems, Video
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game consoles, digital cameras, and microwave ovens
 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o Based On Performance and Functional
requirements
2. Real Time Embedded Systems
 embedded systems in which the correctness of
the system depends not only on the logical
result of computation, but also on the time at
which the results are produced.
 An ES which gives the required output in a
specified time, or
 Which strictly follows the time deadlines for
completion of a task. (satisfies the time
constraints)
 Two types of Real time systems. (i) Soft real time
system and (ii) Hard real time system. 22
 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o Based On Performance and Functional
requirements
2. Real Time Embedded Systems
 Soft real-time system
 the violation of time constraints will cause
only the degraded quality, but the system
can continue to operate.
 Missing a deadline may not be critical and
can be tolerated to a certain degree
 Ex: A Microwave Oven, washing machine, TV
remote etc.

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o Based On Performance and Functional
requirements
2. Real Time Embedded Systems
 Hard real-time system
 A Real time system in which, the violation of
time constraints will cause critical failure
and loss of life or property damage or
catastrophe
 These systems usually interact directly with
physical hardware instead of through a
human being.
 Ex: Deadline in a missile control embedded
system, Delayed alarm during a Gas leakage,
Failure in RADAR functioning etc. 24
 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o Based On Performance and Functional
requirements
3. Networked Embedded Systems
 These types of embedded systems are related to
a network to access the resources.
 The connected network can be LAN,WAN or the
internet.
 The connection can be either wired or
wireless.
 The networked embedded system is the fastest
growing area in embedded systems applications.
 Example:- home security system where all
sensors (e.g. motion detectors, light sensors, or
smoke sensors) are wired and run on the
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protocol TCP/IP
 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o Based On Performance and Functional
requirements
3. Networked Embedded Systems

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Classification of Embedded System
o Based On Performance and Functional
requirements
4. Mobile Embedded Systems
 Mobile Embedded Systems are those that are
small sized and can be used in smaller devices.
 are used in portable embedded devices like cell
phones, mobiles, digital cameras, mp3 players and
personal digital assistants, etc.
 They often have memory constraints and lacks
good user interface.

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Components of Embedded System
o It has Hardware
 Processor, Timers, Interrupt controller, I/O
Devices, Memories, Ports, etc.
o It has main Application Software
 Which may perform concurrently the series of
tasks or multiple tasks.
o It has Real Time Operating System (RTOS)
 RTOS defines the way the system work.
Which supervise the application software. It
sets the rules during the execution of the
application program. A small scale embedded
system may not need an RTOS.
o Device Drivers: it acts as a bridge b/n the
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operating system and peripheral device.
 Introduction to Embedded System
• Components of Embedded System
o Essential Hardware Components
 Microprocessor / Microcontroller
 Sensors
 Converters (A-D and D-A)
 Actuators
 Memory (On-chip and Off chip)
 Communication path with the interacting
environment

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Embedded System Architecture

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Why we study embedded System
o Each day, our lives become more dependent on
'embedded systems', digital information
technology that is embedded in our
environment. This includes not only safety-
critical applications such as automotive devices
and controls, railways, aircraft, aerospace and
medical devices, but also communications,
'mobile worlds' and 'e-worlds', the 'smart' home,
clothes, factories etc.

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Characteristics of Embedded Systems-
Dependability
o Reliability: R(t)=probability of system working
correctly provided that it was working at t=0.
o Maintainability: M(d)=probability of system
working correctly d time units after error
occurred.
o Availability: probability of system working at
time t.
o Safety: no harm to be caused
o Security: confidential and authentic
communication.

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Characteristics of Embedded Systems-
Efficiency
o Energy efficient
o Code-size efficient (especially for systems on
a chip)
o Run-time efficient
o Weight efficient
o Cost efficient.
o Dedicated user interface (no mouse, keyboard
and screen).

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Overall characteristics of Embedded Systems
o Sophisticated functionality
o Real time operations
o Hard real time: missing deadline causes
failure
o Soft real time: missing deadline results in
degraded performance.
o Many systems are multi-rate: must handle
operations at widely varying rates.
o Low manufacturing Cost
o Low Power
o Designed to tight deadlines by small teams

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Applications of Embedded Systems
o Household appliances:
 Microwave ovens,
Television, DVD Players
& Recorders
o Audio players
o Integrated systems in
aircrafts and missiles
o Cellular telephones
o Electric and Electronic
Motor controllers
o Engine controllers in
automobiles
o Calculators
o Medical equipments
o Videogames
o Digital musical
instruments, etc. 35
 Introduction to Embedded System
• Applications of Embedded Systems

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Applications of Embedded Systems
o Automobiles

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Applications of Embedded Systems
o Automobiles

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Applications of Embedded Systems
o Consumer electronics

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Applications of Embedded Systems
o Industry Automation

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Applications of Embedded Systems
o Telecommunication

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 Introduction to Embedded System
• Applications of Embedded Systems
o Medical Systems

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