Technical University of Mombasa

EEE 4520: EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

Lecturer: Francisco Omutsani

Email: [email protected]

LECTURE SESSIONS
Session One: Introduction To Embedded System
1.1 Session Objectives
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
 Define terminologies applicable to embedded system
 Describe the characteristics of an embedded system.
 Classify the various embedded systems based on performance and functionality
 Describe the areas of application of embedded systems
 Describe the structure and architecture of an embedded system
 Describe the recent trends in embedded system
1.2 Introduction to Embedded System
Embedded system can be defined as information processing systems embedded into enclosed
products that may not be directly visible to the user such as transportation systems (cars),
consumer electronics ,telecommunication or fabrication equipment and medical equipments.
An Embedded system is a combination of computer hardware and software. As with any
electronic system, this system requires a hardware platform and that is built with a
microprocessor or microcontroller. The Embedded system hardware includes elements like user
interface, Input/output interfaces, display and memory, etc.

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Generally; an embedded system comprises power supply, processor, memory, timers,
serial communication ports and system application specific circuits.

Figure 1: Embedded System Flow Diagram

Embedded system software is written in a high-level language, and then compiled to achieve a
specific function within a non-volatile memory in the hardware. Embedded system software is
designed to keep in view of three limits. These are availability of system memory and processor
speed. When the system runs endlessly, there is a need to limit the power dissipation for events
like run, stop and wake up.
1.3 Embedded system characteristics
1. Usually connected to the physical environment through sensors that collect information
about that environment and use actuators to the environment
2. They have to be dependable, this is important in safety- critical systems e.g. Nuclear plants,
cars, trains, Airplanes. Dependability encompasses the following aspects of the system
a. Reliability: the probability that a system will not fail. Many embedded systems used
in industrial automation and defense equipment need to work in extreme
environmental conditions such as very high /low temperatures high humidity be
able to withstand bump and vibrations the ability to work reliably in extreme
environmental conditions is known as ruggedness
b. Maintainability: the probability that a failing can be repaired within a certain frame
time- work
c. Availability: the probability that the system is available (this is ensured by (a) and
(b) above).

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 d. Safety: the property of a failing system will not cause any harm to the user or
damage to the product
e. Security: the property of systems to guarantee data confidentiality and authentic
communication
3. They have to be efficient. The following metrics can be used to evaluate the efficient of an
embedded system:
a. Energy: Many embedded system are mobile systems obtaining their energy through
batteries, hence efficient use of the energy is key. In order to reduce the energy
consumption, clock frequencies and supply voltage should be as small as possible.
b. Code size: All the code to run the embedded system has to be stored within the
system; hence the code size has to be as small as possible for the intended
application.
c. Run-time efficiency: The minimum amount of resources should be used for
implementing the required functionality. Only the necessary components should be
present
d. Weight: All portable systems must be light in weight
e. Size: All embedded systems must be very small in size so as to be incorporated in
other components
4. Manufacturing cost: The total cost of building the system is very important in many cases.
Manufacturing cost is determined by many factors, including the type of microprocessor
used, the amount of memory required, and the types of I/O devices. For high- volume
embedded systems , especially consumer, competitiveness on the market is extremmely
crucial and efficient use of hardware components and the software development budget are
required.
5. They should be dedicated towards a specific application. For example, processor running
control software in a car or medical equipment cannot be used to run equipment such as
computer game or spreadsheet. These is because, running an additional program:
a. would make those systems less dependable
b. Is not feasible, since there no unused resources present on the system due to
efficiency requirements.

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6. They have dedicated user interfaces: this consists of push buttons, steering wheels, and
pedals. The moving maps in Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation are good
examples of sophisticated user interfaces.
7. They must meet real time constraints: A time constraint is called hard- real time if failure to
meet its deadline could result in a catastrophe, otherwise is called soft real time constraint
whose net effect is just loss of quality. Failure by the system to complete computation
within the specific time frame can:
a. Result in serious loss of the quality provided by the system (for example, if it is
audio or video the quality will be affected)
b. Cause harm to the user (for example, if it is a car , train or airplane which do not
operate in a predicted way)
c. Cause loss or destruction of the property (for example in a nuclear plant)
d. In other cases, missing a deadline does not create safety problems but does create
unhappy customers—missed deadlines in printers, for example, can result in
scrambled pages.
8. Many embedded systems are hybrid systems: In the sense that they include both analog
and digital parts. Where the analog parts use continuous signal values in the continuous
time , and the digital parts use discrete signal values in discrete time
9. Typical embedded system are reactive systems: A reactive system is one that is in
continous interaction with its environmemt and executes at a pace determined by that
environment
10. Able to perform Complex algorithms: The operations performed by the embedded system
may be very sophisticated. For example, the embedded system that controls an automobile
engine must perform complicated filtering functions to optimize the performance of the car
while minimizing pollution and fuel utilization.
11. Software Up gradation Capability: Software upgradation is done by downloading the
software onto the embedded system through a network enabled connections
12. Multirate: Not only must operations be completed by deadlines, but many embedded
computing systems have several real-time activities going on at the same time. They may
simultaneously control some operations that run at slow rates and others that run at high
rates. Multimedia applications are prime examples of multirate behavior. The audio and
video portions of a multimedia stream run at very different rates, but they must remain

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 closely synchronized. Failure to meet a deadline on either the audio or video portions spoils
the perception of the entire presentation.
13. Power and energy: Power consumption directly affects the cost of the hardware, since a
larger power supply may be necessary. Energy consumption affects battery life, which is
important in many applications, as well as heat consumption, which can be important even
in desktop applications.

1.4. Type of Embedded System

Embedded systems can be classified as follows:

Figure 2: Types of Embedded Systems

Embedded systems are classified into four categories based on their performance and
functional requirements:
1.4.1. Real time embedded systems
A real time embedded system is defined as; a system which gives a required o/p in a particular
time. These types of embedded systems follow the time deadlines for completion of a task. Real
time embedded systems are classified into two types such as soft and hard real time systems.
1.4.2. Standalone embedded systems
Standalone embedded systems do not require a host system like a computer, it works by itself. It
takes the input from the input ports either analog or digital and processes, calculates and converts
the data and gives the resulting data through the connected device-Which both controls, drives
and displays the connected devices. Examples for the stand alone embedded systems are mp3
players, digital cameras, video game consoles, microwave ovens and temperature measurement
systems.

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1.4.3. 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 any wired or wireless. This
type of embedded system is the fastest growing area in embedded system applications. The
embedded web server is a type of system wherein all embedded devices are connected to a web
server and accessed and controlled by a web browser. Example for the LAN networked embedded
system is a home security system wherein all sensors are connected and run on the protocol
TCP/IP.

1.4.4. Mobile embedded systems

Mobile embedded systems are used in portable embedded devices like cell phones, mobiles,
digital cameras, mp3 players and personal digital assistants, etc. The basic limitation of these
devices is the other resources and limitation of memory.
Embedded Systems are classified into three types based on the performance of
the microcontroller
1.4.5. Small Scale embedded systems
These types of embedded systems are designed with a single 8 or 16-bit microcontroller that may
even be activated by a battery. For developing embedded software for small scale embedded
systems, the main programming tools are an editor, assembler, cross assembler and integrated
development environment (IDE).
1.4.6. Medium Scale embedded systems
These types of embedded systems design with a single or 16 or 32 bit microcontroller, RISCs or
DSPs. These types of embedded systems have both hardware and software complexities. For
developing embedded software for medium scale embedded systems, the main programming
tools are C, C++, JAVA, Visual C++, and RTOS, debugger, source code engineering tool, simulator
and IDE.
1.4.7. Sophisticated embedded systems
These types of embedded systems have enormous hardware and software complexities that may
need ASIPs, IPs, PLAs, scalable or configurable processors. They are used for cutting-edge
applications that need hardware and software Co-design and components which have to
assemble in the final system.

1.5 Application of Embedded Systems

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Embedded systems are used in different applications like automobiles, telecommunications, smart
cards, missiles, satellites, computer networking and digital consumer electronics.

1.5.1. Embedded systems in Automobiles:

Modern cars and Trains contain a significant amount of electroics. These includes:
 Engine and Cruise Control System
 Body Or Engine Safety
 Entertainment And Multimedia In Car
 E-Com And Mobile Access
 Robotics In Assembly Line
 GPS/ Wireless Communication systems
 Automobiles Transmission Control & Fuel Injection,
 Anti-Braking System (ABS),
 Active Suspension.

1.5.2. Aircrafts Electronics:

Asignificant amount of the total values of airpalnes is due to the information processing
equipment whose dependability is of utmost importance including:
 fligtht control systems
 anti- collision systems
 pilot information systems

1.5.3 Telecommunication:
Mobile phones have been of the fastes t growing markets, hence some of the keys aspects include:
 Radio frequency(RF) design ,
 Digital signal/image processing
 low power consumption designs
 Small in size but with more functionalities
 Robust and rugged for use in adverse conditions

1.5.4 Medical Systems:

There has been a huge pontential in improving medical services by in incorporating emebedded
systems in medical equipments
 Ophthalmology – Glaucoma screening device,
 Medical Imaging Acquisition systems,

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  Drug delivery systems,
 Patient monitoring Systems

1.5.5. Military applications:

 Missiles and Satellites
 Security Systems
 Defense And Aerospace
 Analyzing military radar systems

1.5.6. Authentication system

 The SMART pen is a pen-like instrument used for analysing physical parameters while its
user is signing a documemt. Some of the physical parameters include the tilt, force and
acceleration. These values are transmmited to the host PC and comparesd with the
available information about the user. As a result, it can be checked if both the image of the
signature as well as the way it has been produced concide with the stored information
 Finger print
 Face recognition

1.5.7 Embedded systems in Peripherals and Computer Networking

 Displays And Monitors
 Networking Systems
 Image Processing
 Network Cards And Printers
 Web cams

1.5.8. Embedded systems in Consumer Electronics

 Digital Cameras
 Set Top Boxes
 High Definition TVs
 DVDS players
 Cell Phones,
 Portable Video Games,
 Calculators
 Microwave Ovens,
 Answering Machines,

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  Washing Machines,
1.5.9. Smart Buildings:
Information processing can be used to increase the comfort level in buildings, can reduce the
energy consumption and improve on safety and security of buildings.
 Airconditioning
 Lighting systems control
 Access control
 Display of available/ vacant rooms
 Home Security,
1.5.10 Embedded systems in office automation
 Fax Machines,
 Copiers,
 Printers,
 Scanners;
 plotters
1.5.11 Embedded systems in business equipment
 Cash Registers,
 Curbside Check-In, Alarm Systems,
 Card Readers,
 Product Scanners,
 Automated Teller Machines.
 Smart cards

1.6 Recent Trends in Embedded Systems

Most of the embedded software’s was written only in assembly language and hence writing ,
debugging and maintaining the code was very difficult and time consuming.
However with the availability of powerful processors and advanced development tools,
embedded software development is no longer ‘rocket Science’
The following are some of the advances in embedded systems:
1. Processor Power:
Powerful 8-bit, 16-bit , 32-bit and 64-bit microcontrollers and microprocessor are available
to cater to the different market segments.

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 They have increased clock speed and memory addressing capabilities. Very powerful DSP
are available for real-time analysis of audio and video signals. As a result the power of desktop
computers is available on palmtops
2. Memory:
The cost of memory chips is reducing day by day. As a result the embedded system can be
made functionally rich by implementing additional features such as networking protocols
and even graphical user interfaces.
3. Operating System:
A variety of operating systems are available which can be ported onto the embedded
system, whose advantage is that the software development has become very fast and the
code maintenance made very easy.
Moreover the code can be developed in a high-level language such as C. if real time
performance is required; a real time operating system is available.
In addition to many commercial embedded /real time operating systems, Open source
software campaign has led to the development and availability of complete source code of
many open source operating systems that is free and also can be customized as per your
application.
4. Communication Interfaces and Networking Capability:
With the availability of low cost chips, embedded systems can be provided with
networking capability through communication interfaces such as Ethernet, 802.11, wireless
LAN and Infrared .a networked enabled embedded system can be accessed over a network
for remote control or monitoring as well as upgrading the embedded software source code
to a new version . Due to the enhanced memory capacities of the embedded system,
TCP/IP protocol stack and the HTTP server software can be also be ported onto the system
so as to be accessed over the internet from anywhere in the world.
5. Programming Languages :
Due to the availability of cross- compilers, most of the development is now done in high
level languages such as C, C++. The development of Java programming language was
initiated mainly to address the embedded system market. Microsoft embedded visual tools
can be used for development of embedded software applications
6. Development Tools:

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 Availability of a number of tools for development, debugging and testing as well as
modeling the embedded system has paved way for development of robust and reliable
embedded systems.
 Development tools such as MATLAB and Simulink can be used to model embedded
systems as well as to generate its code.
 Binary Routine Environment for Wireless (BREW)
 Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME)
 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) that facilitates easy development of mobile
devices applications
7. Programmable Hardware:
Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have
paved way for reducing the components on an embedded system leading to small low cost
systems.
A system on a chip or system on chip (SoC or SOC) is an integrated circuit (IC) that integrates
all components of a computer or other electronic system into a single chip. It may contain
digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency functions—all on a single chip
substrate. SoCs are very common in the mobile electronics market because of their low power
consumption. A typical application is in the area of embedded systems.
1.7 Session Summary
In this session we have Defined terminologies applicable to embedded system, Classified
the various embedded systems based on performance and functionality, Described the
areas of application of embedded systems, Described the structure and architecture of an
embedded system, Described the characteristics of an embedded system and finally
Described the recent trends in embedded system
1.9 Student Activity
1. Define the following terminology as applied to embedded system
a. Real time Embedded system
b. Sensors and Actuators
2. With appropriate examples describe the key areas of application of embedded system
3. Describe any FOUR characteristics of an embedded system
4. With aid of a block diagram describe the function of key component in an embedded
system

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 5. Describe the key recent trends that characterize the embedded system.
1.10 Further Readings/References
Core Textbooks
i. Tim Wilmshurt (2009) Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers, Principles and
Applications, Second Edition, Newnes, ISBN-13: 978-1856177504, ISBN-10: 1856177505
ii. Rafiquzzaman M. (2014) Fundamentals of Digital Logic and Microcontrollers, 6th Edition, Wiley,
ISBN: 978-1-118-85579-9
iii. Robert B. R., Bruce J. W., Bryan A. J. (2014) Microcontrollers: From Assembly Language to C
Using the PIC24 Family, 2nd Edition, Cengage Learning PTR. ISBN-13: 978-1305076556, ISBN-
10: 1305076559
Core Journals
i. Journal of Microprocessors and Microsystems: Embedded Hardware Design, ISSN: 0141-9331
ii. Journal of Electrical Engineering and Electronic Technology, ISSN 2325-9833
iii. International journal of electrical, computer, and systems engineering ISSN: 2077-1231 (Online)
/2227-2739 (Print)
Recommended Textbooks
i. Dogan Ibrahim (2014) PIC Microcontroller Projects in C, Second Edition: Basic to Advanced, 2nd
Edition, Newness, ISBN-10: 0080999247, ISBN-13: 978-0080999241
ii. Sabri Cetinkunt (2015) Mechatronics with Experiments, 2nd Edition, Wiley, ISBN: 978-1-118-
80246-5
iii. Ying Bai (2016) Practical Microcontroller Engineering with ARM- Technology, Wiley, ISBN: 978-
1-119-05237-1
Recommended Journals
i. IEEE Transactions on Communications ISSN:0090-6778
ii. IEEE journal on Selected Areas in Communications ISSN:0733-8716
iii. Journal of Microcontroller Engineering & Applications, ISSN 2455- 197X

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