Embedded System Development Tools Embedded Hardware Development Tools

Types: SOM (System on a Microcontroller) or SOC

(System on a Chip) - a microcontroller,
1. Embedded Software Development Tools
microprocessor, timers, and other peripheral
2. Embedded Hardware Development
parts required for the functioning of the
Tools
embedded systems.
Embedded Software Development Tools
Design Metrics of Embedded Systems
1. Editor
1. NRE Cost (Non-Recurring
- It is used for writing source code for Engineering Cost)
embedded systems applications.
- It is the one-time monetary cost of
- The code is written in programming designing the system.
language either C++or C.
2. Unit Cost
2. Compiler/Assembler
- The monetary cost of manufacturing each
- the second tool in your embedded system copy of the system, excluding the NRE
software development. cost.

3. Linker 3. Size

- It’s a computer program that combines - The physical space required by the
one or more object code files and libraries system.
together into one single final program.
- It is often measured in bytes for software,
4. Libraries and gates or transistors for hardware.

- It is a collection of header files. 4. Performance

Header File - includes pre-defined variables - The execution time or throughput of the
and functions. system.

5. Debugger 5. Power
- It is a tool used to debug your code. - The amount of power consumed by the
system which determines the lifetime of a
- It also detects the location where the error
battery, or the cooling requirements of IC,
occurs so you can easily do the corrections
since more power means more heat.
6. Simulator
6. Flexibility
- It enables you to know how your code will
- The ability to change the functionality of
work in reality.
the system without incurring heavy NRE
Example of Embedded System cost.
Development Tools
- Software is typically considered very
IDE ( Integrated Development flexible.
Environment) - A software that contains all
7. Time to Market
the necessary tools required for embedded
systems software development.
- The amount of time required to design essential in applications like automotive
and manufacture the system to the point safety systems.
the system can be sold to customers.
8. Time to Prototype
3. Power Efficiency
- The amount of time to build a working
Low power consumption: Embedded
version of the system, which maybe bigger
systems are often battery-powered or
or more expensive than the final system
require efficient power management to
implementation but can be used to verify
extend battery life or minimize energy
the system’s usefulness and correctness
consumption in stationary applications.
and to refine the system’s functionality.
Maximizing power efficiency is crucial for
9. Correctness
battery-powered embedded systems.
- We can check the functionality throughout
4. Hardware Integration
the process of designing the system, and
can insert test circuitry to check that Custom hardware interfaces: Embedded
manufacturing was correct. systems often require specialized hardware
interfaces to interact with sensors,
10. Safety
actuators, and other peripherals.
- The probability that the system will not
Hardware-software co-design: Ensuring the
cause harm.
software and hardware components work
Difficulties and Challenges in an seamlessly together can be challenging.
Embedded System
5. Security
1. Resource Constraints
Vulnerabilities: Embedded systems can be
Limited processing power: Embedded targets for security threats, so they need
systems often have low-power processors, robust security mechanisms to protect
limiting their computational capabilities. against unauthorized access and data
breaches.
Restricted memory: Limited RAM and ROM
can constrain the storage and execution of Firmware updates: Ensuring secure and
software. reliable firmware updates, especially in
remote or distributed systems, can be
Minimal storage: Embedded systems may
complex.
have small storage capacities for program
code and data. 6. Software Complexity

2. Real-time Constraints Real-time operating systems (RTOS):

Managing multiple tasks concurrently in
Meeting real-time deadlines: Some
real-time systems requires careful design
embedded systems must respond to events
and synchronization.
within strict time constraints, which requires
precise timing and control. Debugging and testing: Debugging
embedded systems can be challenging,
Predictable performance: Ensuring
especially when debugging tools are
consistent and deterministic execution is
limited.
7. Long Lifecycle to bring the controlled output variables to
the desired level.
Longevity and maintenance: Some
embedded systems have long lifecycles, • E.S produce changes in output in
requiring support and updates for many response to the changes in the input, so
years, even decades. they are referred as reactive systems.
8. Cost Constraints • Real Time system operation means the
timing behavior of the system should be
Cost-effective design: Balancing
deterministic which means, the system
performance, features, and cost is crucial in
should respond to requests in a known
many embedded system applications,
amount of time.
especially in mass-produced consumer
electronics. 3. Operates in harsh environments
9. Regulatory Compliance The design of E.S should take care of the
operating conditions of the area where the
Meeting industry standards and regulations:
system is going to implement.
Many embedded systems must adhere to
specific safety and quality standards, such 4. Distributed
as ISO 26262 in automotive or FDA
• It means that embedded systems may
regulations in medical devices.
be a part of a larger system.
10. Scalability
• Many numbers of such distributed
Ensuring that an embedded system can be embedded systems form a single large
scaled to accommodate changing embedded control unit.
requirements and feature enhancements
5. Small Size and weight
can be a challenge.
• Product aesthetics (size, weight, shape,
Characteristics of Embedded System
style, etc) is an important factor in choosing
1. Application and domain specific a product.
• Each E.S has certain functions to • It is convenient to handle a compact
perform and they are developed in such a device than a bulky product.
manner to do the intended functions only.
6. Power concerns
• They cannot be used for any other
• Power management is another
purpose.
important factor that needs to be
2. Reactive and Real Time considered in designing embedded
systems.
• E.S are in constant interaction with the
real world through sensors and user- • E.S should be designed in such a way
defined input devices which are connected as to minimize the heat dissipation by the
to the input port of the system. system.
• Any changes in the real world are 7. Single-functioned
captured by the sensors or input devices in
Dedicated to perform a single function
real time and the control algorithm running
inside the unit reacts in a designed manner 8. Complex functionality
We have to run sophisticated algorithms or Development phase transforms the design
multiple algorithms in some applications. into a realizable product.
9. Tightly-constrained 6. Deployment
Low cost, low power, small, fast, etc Deployment is the process of launching the
first fully functional model of the product in
10. Safety-critical
the market.
Must not endanger human life and the
7. Support
environment
The support phase deals with the
Embedded Product Development Life
operational and maintenance of the product
Cycle
in the production environment.
8. Upgrade
Deals with the development of upgrades
(new versions) for the product which is
already present in the market.
9. Retirement
The retirement/disposal of the product is a
gradual process.
This phase is the final phase in a product
development life cycle where the product is
declared as discontinued from the market.
1. Need
Design Models
The need may come from an individual or
from the public or from a company.
2. Conceptualization
Defines the scope of concept, performs
cost benefit analysis and feasibility study
and prepare project management and risk
management plans.
3. Analysis
The product is defined in detail with respect
to the inputs, processes, outputs, and
interfaces at a functional level.
4. Design
The design phase identifies application
environment and creates an overall
architecture for the product.
5. Development and testing
 paths and the number of bits processed at
a unit time. Therefore, the more is the
parallel path, the higher is the achieved
data transfer speed.
Limited Cable Length
As the length of cable increases, so does
the amount of metal wires. This increases
the chances of Cross-talk. Cross-talk
means interference between the cable
wires and it leads to the unsuccessful
exchange of readable data (garbage value).
Easy Installation
The configuration of a parallel port in a PC
is quite easy as compared to its counterpart
‘Serial links’.
When to Use Parallel Communication
• Large Data needs to be transferred.
• Data to be sent is time sensitive.
• Data is required to be transferred
quickly or in real time.
Examples of Parallel Communication
1. SCSI
2. PCI
3. ISA
Parallel Input and Output 4. EISA
Parallel Communication Components and Principles in Parallel
• A method of sending several data Comm
signals simultaneously over a transmission 1. Data Buses
link at one time.
Embedded systems often include data
• It comprises of several wired channels buses that connect various components
in parallel. within the system. These buses can be 8-
Characteristics of Parallel bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit wide, depending on the
Communication system's requirements. Wider buses allow
for the simultaneous transfer of more bits.
High Speed Data Transfer
2. Microcontrollers and Processors
-The data exchange speed of a parallel
communication data link is equivalent to the Microcontrollers or processors are at the
multiplication of the number of parallel heart of embedded systems. They generate
 and control data transfer operations Each character is headed by a beginning bit
between different components. These and concluded with one or more end bits.
processors can read and write data from/to
There may be gaps or spaces in between
memory, sensors, and other peripherals
characters.
using parallel data transfer.
Examples of Async Transmission:
3. Memory Access
Emails Radios
Parallel data transfer is commonly used
when accessing memory modules (RAM, Forums Televisions
ROM) in embedded systems. It allows for
Letters
faster read and write operations, improving
overall system performance. Synchronous Transmission
4. Peripheral Interfacing Data moves in a complete paired approach in
the form of chunks or frames.
Embedded systems often connect to
various peripherals, such as sensors, There are no spaces in between characters
displays, and communication modules. being sent.
Parallel data transfer methods are
Special ’syn’ characters goes before the data
employed to efficiently exchange data with
being sent.
these peripherals.
Timing is provided by modems or other devices
5. Real-time Requirements
at the end of the transmission.
Many embedded systems have real-time
The syn characters are included between
constraints, where data must be transferred
chunks of data for timing functions.
within specific time limits. Parallel data
transfer can help meet these requirements Examples of Sync Transmission
by minimizing data transfer latencies.
Chatrooms Video Conferencing
Asynchronous and Synchronous Serial
Telephonic Conversation F2F Interaction
Communication
Serial Communication
The process of sending or receiving data one
bit at a time.
Types of Serial Communication
Asynchronous Transmission
Data moves in a half-paired approach, 1 byte
or 1 character at a time.
It sends the data in a constant current of bytes.
The size of a character transmitted is 8 bits,
with a parity bit added at the beginning and at
the end, making it a total of 10 bits.