EMBEDDED SYSTEM

2Marks

1. Define Embedded Systems.

An embedded system is one that has computer hardware with software embedded on it as
one of its most important component.

2. What are the hardware components of embedded systems?

Input devices, Interfacing/Driver circuits,Processor,Timers,Interrupt Controller, Memory,
Serial/Parallel Ports,Output Interfacing/Driver circuits,Power supply, Reset & Oscillator
circuits
.
3. What are the classifications of Embedded system?
Small scale Embedded System
Medium scale Embedded System
Sophisticated Embedded System.

4. Define processor.
A processor is a device, which implements a process or processes as per the command
given to it.

5. Define Embedded system processor.

An embedded system processor has two essential units: Program Flow Control Unit and
Execution Unit. The control unit includes a fetch unit for fetching instructions from the
memory. Execution unit has circuits that implement the instructions.

6. What is microcontroller?
A microcontroller is a unit with a processor. It is a single chip VLSI unit which, thought
having limited computational capabilities, possesses enhanced input-output capabilities
and a number of on-chip functional units.

7. What are the functional circuits of a microcontroller?

The functional circuits of a microcontroller are,
Processor
Data & stack in internal RAM
Timers & Watchdog timer
ROM / PROM / EPROM
External Memories Interfaces
Interrupt Controller
I/O Ports Control & Interfaces / Drivers
Serial UART communication port
Serial Synchronous communication port.
8. What is GPP & ASIP?
GPP: A processor from a number of families of processors,microcontroller, embedded
processors and DSPs having a general purpose instruction set and readily available
compilers to enable programming in a high level language is called a General Purpose
Processor (GPP).ASIP: A processor designed for specific application on a VLSI chip is
called an Application Specific Instruction Processor.

9. What are the various forms of system memories?

Internal RAM
Internal ROM / PROM /EPROM
External RAM
Internal Caches
E2PROM or flash memory
External ROM / PROM
RAM Memory buffers
Caches

10. What are the steps required for converting assembly language into a ROM
image?
Assembler, Linker, Loader, Locator, Device Programmer / Foundry.

11. What are the steps required for converting high level language into a ROM
image?
Compiler,Linker,Loader,Locator,Device Programmer / Foundry.

12. What is Kernel?

Kernel is a program with functions for memory allocation and deallocation, task
scheduling, inter process communication, effective management of shared memory
access by using the signals, exception handling signals,Semaphores, queues, mailboxes
etc.

13. What are the features of DSP?

A DSP provides fast, discrete-time, signal processing instructions. It has very large
instruction word (VLIW) processing capabilities, it processes Single Instruction Multiple
Data (SIMD) instructions fast, it processes Discrete Cosine Transformations (DCTs) and
inverse DCTs (IDTs) fast.

14. What is ASSP?

Application Specific System Processor is a processing unit for specific tasks, foe e.g.
Image compression and that is integrated through the buses with the main processor in an
embedded system.

15. Write short notes on multiplexer and demultiplexer.

Multiplexer: A digital circuit that has digital inputs from multiple channels. It sends only
one channel output at a time. The channel at the output has the same address as the
channel address bits in its input.
Demultiplexer: A digital circuit that has digital outputs at any instance in multiple
channels. The channel that is connected is the one that has the sane address as the channel
address bits in its input.
16. What is the use of pipe & file?
A pipe is used for buffering a stream of bytes.A file is used for reading and writing the
stream of bytes or words.

17. Define RTOS.

Real Time Operating System is software for real-time programming and scheduling,
process and memory manager device drivers, device management and multitasking.

18. What is watchdog timer?

It is a timer that timeout from which resets the processor in case the program gets struck
for an unexpected time.

19. What is System On Chip?

A system on a VLSI chip that has all of needed analog as well as digital circuits for e.g.
in mobile phone.

20. What is the use of code optimizer?

Code optimizer is used in the conversion of high level language into a ROM image for
optimizing the code before linking.

21. Write some applications of Embedded Systems.

Smart card
Missiles & Satellites
Computer Networking
Automotives

22. What is ROM image?

The final stage software is also called ROM image, because just as an image is a unique
sequence and arrangement of pixels, embedded software is also a unique placement and
arrangement of bytes for instructions and data.

23. What is the use of glue logic circuit?

It is a circuit for interconnecting the processor to external memory so that the appropriate
chip-select signals, according to the system memory, map each of the memory chips.

24. Define interrupt handler.

It is a unit that handles the processor operations arising out of an interrupt from a source.

25. Write briefly about reset circuit and power up reset.

The reset circuit activates for a fixed period and then deactivates. It helps the processor to
start the processing of instructions from a starting address.Powerup reset vector also
provides a starting address which is different from that provided by a reset circuit.
26. What are various models used in the design of a embedded system?
The various models used in the design of a embedded system are,
Finite state machine
Petri Net model
Control & Data flow graph
Activity diagram based on UML model
The additional models are,
Synchronous data flow graph.
Timed petri nets & extended predicate / transition net.
Multi threaded graph system.

27. Give some examples for Small, Medium & sophisticated scale embedded
systems.

Small Scale Embedded System

Automatic chocolate vending machine
Stepper motor controller for a robotics system
Washing or cooking system
Multitasking toys

Medium Scale Embedded System

Computer Networking Systems
Entertainment systems
Embedded firewall / Router
Signal tracking system

Sophisticated Scale Embedded System

Embedded system s for wireless LAN & for convergent technology devices.
Security products & high speed network security, gigabit rate encryption rate products
Embedded system for real time video & speech

28. Define handshaking signals.

The signals before storing the bits at the port buffer or before accepting the bits from the
port buffer are called handshaking signals.

29. What are I/O device types?

The types of I/O devices are,
Serial Input
Serial Output
Serial UART Input
Serial UART Output
Parallel Port Single bit input
Parallel Port Single bit output
Parallel Port Input
Parallel Port Output
30. What is Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication?

Synchronous Communication:
Communication in which a constant phase difference is maintained between the clocks
that guide the transmitter and receiver. A maximum time interval is pre-fixed between
which a frame of byte transmits.

Asynchronous Communication:
A communication in which a constant phase difference is not
maintained and the clocks that guide the transmitter and receiver are
separate. Time interval between which a frame of byte transmits is not
pre-fixed and is indeterminate.

31. What is Timer and counting devices?

A time gets the inputs from the internal clock with the processor or system clock.
Counting device is a unit for getting the count-inputs on the occurrence of events that
may be at irregular intervals.

32. What are the types of Timer?

There are ten types of timer. They are,
Hardware internal timer
Software internal timer
User software-controlled hardware timer
RTOS controlled Hardware Timer
Timer with periodic time out events
One shot Timer
Up count action timer
Down count action timer
Timer with its overflow flag – auto reset
Timer with its overflow flag – no auto reset

33. Write the frame format for I2C bus & CAN bus?
Frame Format for I2C bus

Frame Format for CAN bus

34. What is serial and parallel communication?
In parallel communication, read and write operation take place on multiple bits at an
instance. In serial communication, read and write operation take place with one bit at an
instance and each bit of the message is separated by constant time intervals.

35. Give some advanced Parallel and Serial high speed buses.
Advanced Parallel high peed buses
GMII
XGML
CSIX – 1.6.6
Rapid IO
Advanced Serial high speed buses
XAUI
XSBI
SONET OC – 48
SONET OC – 192

36. Give some advantages for PCI & PCI – X bus.

It provides a superior throughput than EISA.
It is platform-independent.
Its clock rate is nearest to the sub-multiple of system clock.
It can be initialized at booting time.

37. What is Timer Overflow or Time-Out?

A state in which the number of count –inputs exceeded the last acquirable value and on
reaching that state, an interrupt can be generated. This state is called Time-Out or Timer
Overflow.

38. What is the difference between hardware timer and software timer?
A hardware timer gets the inputs from the internal clock with the processor or system
clock. A device driver program programs it like any other physical device.
Software timer executes and increases or decreases a count variable on an interrupt from
a timer output or from a real-time clock interrupt.

39. What is isosynchronous communication?

Isosynchronous communication is one in which a constant phase difference is not
maintained between the frames but maintained between the frame clocks that guide the
transmitter and receiver are not separate.

40. Define Open Drain Output.

It is a gate with internally a missing connection between its drain and supply. It pulls up
circuit voltage and current levels, which are required when interfacing it.
41. What is Quasi Bi-directional Port?
It is port with a dual advantage of using pull up circuit as per the voltage and current level
required when interfacing it and using no pull up circuit for a short period sufficient to
drive a LSTTL circuit.

42. What are the different states in a timer?

The different states in a timer are,
Reset State
Idle State
Present State
Overflow State
Overrun State
Active or Blocked State
Done State
Reset enabled / Enabled State
Load enabled / Enabled State
Auto Re-Load enabled / Disabled State

43. What are the three ways of communication from a device?

The three ways of communication from a device
Synchronous Communication
Asynchronous Communication
Iso-synchronous Communication

44. What are the two ways of operation of the serial interface device?
The two ways of operation of the serial interface device are,
Half duplex synchronous mode of operation called mode 0.
Full duplex synchronous mode of operation called mode 1,2 or 3.

45. Name any two characteristics to be taken into account while interfacing a device
port.
The two characteristics are,
A port device may have multi-byte data input buffer(s) and
data output buffers
A port device may have a DDR (Data Direction Register).

46. Name some of the sophisticated features used in I/O devices.

Some of the sophisticated features used in I/O devices are,
Schmitt trigger inputs are for noise elimination.
Devices with low voltage gates and devices are using power management by
preventing unnecessary togging at the inputs are used for sophisticated application

47. Is it necessary to have a hardware timer device in a system? How do it work?

Yes, it is necessary to have atleast one hardware timer device in a system. It is used as a
system clock. The hardware timer gets the input from a clock out signal from the
processor and activates the system clock as per the num ticks preset at the hardware
timer.

48. Define software timer.

A software timer is software that executes and increases or decreases a Count variable as
an interrupt on a timer output or on a real-time clock interrupt.

49. List some features of the CAN bus.

It has a serial line, which is bi-directional. It receives or sent a bit at an instance by
operating at the maximum rate of 1 Mbps. It employs a twisted pair connection to each
node, which runs to a maximum of 40m.

50. Explain briefly about USB.

USB is the Universal Serial Bus, used between a host system and a number of
interconnected peripherals.
The two standards of USB available are,
USB 1.1 – A low speed 1.5 Mbps 3 meter channel along with a
high speed 12 Mbps 25 meter channel.
USB 2.0 – High-speed 480 Mbps 25 meter channel.

51. Explain briefly the features of ISA and EISA buses.

ISA and EISA buses are compatible with IBM architecture. They are used for connecting
devices following 10 addresses and interrupt vectors as per IBM PC architecture. EISA is
32-bit extension of ISA. It also supports software interrupt functions and Ethernet
devices.

52. Define protocol.

A way of transmitting messages on a network by using software for adding the additional
bits like starting bits, headers addresses of source and destination

53. Define half-duplex communication.

Serial port has one common I/O lines. For example, a telephone line message flows one
way at an instance.

54. Define full duplex communication.

Serial port has two distinct I/O lines. For example, a modem connection to the computer
can port. There are two lines TXD and RXSD at 9 pins or 25 pins connector. Message
flows both ways at an instance.

55. What are the features of the USB protocol?

Using USB, a device can be attached configured and used, reset configured and used,
share the bandwidth with other devices detached and reattached.
56. Explain briefly about PCI and PCI/X buses.
PCI and PCI/X buses are used and these are independent from the IBM architecture.
PCI/X is an extension of PCI and supports 64/100 MHz transfer.Lately, new versions
have been introduced for the PCI bus architecture.

57. What are advantages of writing embedded software in Assembly Language?

It gives a precise control of the processor internal devices.The machine codes are
compact.Device driver codes may need only a few assembly instructions

58.What are advantages of writing embedded software in C Language?

The development cycle is short for complex systems.Type checking makes the program
less prone to error.Control Structures make the program-flow path design tasks simple.
Portability.

59. What is the use of type checking?

Type checking makes the program less prone to error. For eg. It does not provide
subtraction, multiplication and division on the ‘char’ data types.

60. Define Configuration files.

Configuration files are the files for the configuration of the system. Device configuration
codes can be put in a file of basic variables and included when needed.

61. What is difference between function and macrofuction?

A macro function is a collection of codes that is defined in a program by a name. It
differs from a function in the sense that once a macro is defined by a name, the compiler
puts the corresponding codes for it at every place where that macro name appears. But the
codes for a function are compiled once only.

62. What is recursive and reentrant function?

Recursive Function:
It is a function that calls itself. It must be a reentrant function also. Most often its use is
avoided in embedded systems due to memory constraints.
Reentrant Function:
It is a function that is usable by the several tasks and routines at the same time. All its
argument values are retrievable from the stack.

63. What is the use of modifier register?

When a modifier register is inside a function block, a CPU register is temporarily
allocated when needed. There is no ROM or RAM allocation.

64. Define Queue.

It is a data structure into which elements can be sequentially inserted and retrieved in a
FIFO mode. It needs two pointers, one for the queue tail for insertion and other for the
queue head for deletion.
65. Define Stack.
A stack is a data structure in which elements can be pushed in or pulled out. It works on
the principle of Last-In-First-Out (LIFO).

66. Explain briefly First In Provisionally Out (FIPO).

FIPO has three pointers; one for the front (*QHEAD) a second for the back (*QTAIL)
and a third pointer is tempfront (*QACK). Two pointers are the same as in every queue.
The pointer defines a point upto, which an acknowledgement has been received.

67. How interrupts are handled in Queue?

Queuing of pointers to the function on interrupts and later on calling the functions from
this queue is a better approach as it provides the use of short execution time interrupt-
service routines.

68. Define Compiler.

Compiler is a program in the host computer, which does the development, and design
testing and debugging. It converts high-level language into a machine language. The
complier can be turbo C, turbo C++ or Borland C, Borland C++.

69. Define Cross Compiler.

The cross compiler runs on a host but develops the machine codes for a targeted system.

70. Explain briefly stack overhead.

The repeated call to recursive function may cause the stack to full. This leads to
insufficient memory. Hence the stack overhead may occur which is primarily due to
overflow of the stack.

71. What is meant by inline assembly?

Inserting the assembly language codes in between the high-level language codes are
called inline assembly. It gives the benefits of processor specific instructions and
addressing modes.

72. What is Optimization of memory?

When codes are made compact and fitted in small memory without affecting the code
performance, it is called memory optimization.

73. Define scalar data types?

The character, integer, unsigned integer, floating point number, long and double are
called scalar data types. Unlike an array data consists of one single element.

74. Give some examples for reference data types.

Arrays and strings are examples of reference data types.

75. What is meant by platform independence?

A code that can port on different machine and operating systems is said to be platform
independent.
76. What are preprocessor directives?
Program statements and directives for the compiler before the main function to define
global variable, global macro, new data type and global constants.

77. What are the differences between including a header file and a text file or data
file?
The differences between including a header file and a text file or data file
are,
The header files are well tested and debugged modules.
They provide access to standard libraries.
The header file can include several text file or C files.
A text file is description of the text that contains specific information.

78. What is the use of void pointers?

Void pointers can be used to point to the memory location of any data type.

79. How can optimization be used to eliminate the disadvantages in embedded C++
programs?
Optimization can be used as follows.
Declare private as many classes as possible.
Use of char, int and boolean in place of the objects as arguments
Use local variables as much as feasible.
Recover memory already used by changing the reference to an object to NULL.

80. Name some features of source code engineering tools for embedded C++.
Some features of source code engineering tools for embedded C++ are, It searches and
lists the dependencies and hierarchies of included header files.It browses through object
component relationship.

81. What is embedded C++?

Embedded C++ is a version of C++ that provides for a selective disabling which is the
disadvantage in C++. So, there is a less run-time overhead and less run-time library.

82. Define RTOS.

Operating System with real time task scheduling, interrupt-latency control,
Synchronization of tasks with IPCs, predictable timing and synchronization behavior of
the system.

83. What is Round Robin or cyclic scheduling?

A scheduling algorithm in which the tasks are scheduled in sequence from a list of ready
tasks.
84. Explain briefly about Preemptive scheduling.
A scheduling algorithm in which a higher priority task is forced (Preempted) to block by
the scheduler.

85. What is Time Slicing and Fixed real time scheduling?

Time Slicing Scheduling
A scheduling algorithm in which each task is allotted a time slice after which it is blocked
and waits for its turn on the next cycle.
Fixed Real Time Scheduling
A scheduling strategy in which the time for each task is fixed

86. Explain briefly the term Process.

A code that has its independent program counter values and an independent stack. A
single CPU system runs one process (or one thread of a process) at a time. It defines
sequentially executing (running) program and its state. A state, during the running of a
process, is represented by its status (running, blocked or finished), its control block,
called process control block (PCB) or process structure, its data, objects and resources.

87. What is Task?

A task is for the service of specific actions and may also correspond to the codes, which
execute for an interrupt. A task is an independent process that takes control of the CPU
when scheduled at an OS. Every task has a TCB ( Task Control Block).

88. What is Task State?

A state of a task that changes on scheduler directions. A task at an instance can be in one
of the four states, idle, ready, blocked ad running that are controlled by the scheduler.

89. Define inter process communication.

An output from one task (or process) passed to another task through the scheduler and
use of signals, exceptions, semaphores, queues, mailboxes, pipes,sockets, and remote
procedure call is known as inter process communication

90. Define Semaphore.

Semaphore is a special variable or function that is used to take note of certain actions to
prevent another task or process from proceeding.

91. What is shared data problem?

If a variable is used in two different processes (tasks) and another task if interrupts
without before the operation on that is completed, then the shared data problem arises.

92. What is priority inversion problem? How it can be solved?

A problem in which a low priority task inadvertently does not release the process for a
higher priority task. An operating system can take care of this it by appropriate
provisions. This problem can be solved by temporarily boosting the low priority task to
higher priority task which is called as priority inheritance.
93. Explain briefly Deadlock situation.
A task waiting for some semaphore the release of a semaphore from a task and another a
different task waiting for another semaphore release to run. None of these is able to
proceed further. An operating system can take care of this it by appropriate provisions.

94. Explain the term (i) Message Queue (ii) Mailbox (iii) Pipe (iv) Socket.
Message Queue
A task sending the multiple FIFO or priority message into a queue for use by another
task(s) using queue message as an input.
Mailbox
A message(s) or message pointer from a task that is addressed to another task.
Pipe
A task sending the messages used by and another task using these as input. A pipe can be
a device like file which is also a virtual device.
Socket
It provides the logical link using a protocol between the tasks in a client-server or peer-
to-peer environment.

95. What is the use of Remote Procedure Call?

A method used for connecting two remotely placed methods by first using a protocol for
connecting the processes. It is used in the cases of distributed tasks.

96. Define Thread.

A minimum unit for a scheduler to schedule the CPU and other system resources. A
process may consist of multiple threads. A thread has an independent process control
block like a task control block and a thread also executes codes under the control of a
scheduler.

97. Difference between Mutex and Counting Semaphore.

98. Explain the uses of Task Control Block(TCB)?

A memory block holds information of program counter, memory map, the signal
(message) dispatch table, signal mask, task ID,CPU state (registers etc) and a kernel stack
(for executing system calls, etc.).

99. What are the problems that may arise while using semaphores?
The problems that may while using semaphores are,
(i) Sharing of two semaphores creates a deadlock problem.
(ii) Without a timeout an ISR worst-case latency may exceed the deadline.
(iii) A semaphore not taken, and another task uses a shared variable.
(iv) When using multiple semaphores, if an unintended task takes the semaphore, it
creates a problem.
(v) It may introduce priority inversion problem.

100. Explain any two features of RTOS.

The two features of RTOS are,
(i) Each queue for a message may need initialization before using the functions in the
scheduler for the message queue.
(ii) There may be a provision for multiple queues for the multiple types or destination of
messages. Each queue may have an id.

101. What are the strategies used by RTOS on interrupt source calls?
The strategies used by RTOS on interrupt source calls are,
(i) Direct call to ISR by an interrupting source.
(ii) Direct call to RTOS by an interrupting source and temporary suspension of a
scheduled task
(iii) Direct call to RTOS by an interrupting source and scheduling of tasks as well as ISRs
by RTOS.

102. Name some RTOS services.

(i) Basic OS functions
(ii) RTOS Main functions
(iii) Time Management
(iv) Predictability

103. Name any two important RTOS

MUCOS and Vx works are the two important RTOS.

104. Name any two mailbox related functions.

The two mailbox related functions are,
(i) Creating a mailbox for an IPC.
(ii) Checking for availability of an IPC after a message at mailbox.

105. Name any two queue functions for the inter-task communications.
The two queue functions for the inter-task communications are,
(i) Creating a queue for an IPC.
(ii) Waiting for an IPC message at a queue.

106. Name some applications for the Vx Works RTOS.

Some applications for the Vx Works RTOS are,
(i) Multitasking environment.
(ii) Inter-process communications.
(iii) Synchronization using
(a) Event flag
(b) Mutually exclusive access using resource key
(c) Counting mechanism using three types of semaphores
(iv) Synchronization using POSIX.

107. What are the various features supported by Vx works?

The various features supported by Vx works are,
(i) Pipe drivers for inter-process communications as an virtual device.
(ii) Network transparent sockets.
(iii)Network drivers for shared memory and ethernet.
(iv) RAM disk drivers for memory resident files.
(v) Drivers for SCSI, keyboard, VGA display, disk and parallel port of a computer
system, HDD, diskette, tapes, keyboard and displays.

108. What is an active task in the context of Vx works?

An active task is one that is in one of the three states, ready, running or waiting.

109. What are the task service functions supported by Vx works?

Vx works support the following task service functions.
(i) Task creating
(ii) Task running
(iii) Task waiting
(iv) Task pending
(v) Task delay functions and task delaying cum suspending Functions

110. Name some interrupt service functions supported by Vx works?

The four interrupt service functions supported by Vx works are,
(i) intLock() - Disables interrupts.
(ii) intVectSet() - Set the interrupt vector.
(iii) intVectGet() - Get interrupt vector.
(iv) intVecBaseGet() - Get interrupt vector base address.
(v) intContext() - Returns true when calling functions is an ISR.

111. Name some of the inter-process communication functions.

Some of the inter-process communication functions are,
(i) sem BCreate() - Creates a binary semaphore.
(ii) sem MCreate() - Creates a mutex semaphore.
(iii) semCCreate() - Creates a counting semaphore.
(iv) semDelete() - Delete a semaphore.

112. Name some of the inter-process communication functions used for messaging.
Some of the inter-process communication functions used for messaging
are,
(i) msgQCreate() - Allocation and initializes a queue for the message.
(ii) msgQDelete() - Eliminates the message queue by freeing the memory.
(iii) msgQSend() - Sends into a queue.
(iv) msgQReceiver() - Receives a message into the queue.

113. What is a signal in the RTOS environment?

A signal is a flag like intimation to RTOS for development of certain situations during a
run that need urgent attention by executing as ISR.

114. What is meant by task delay?

Time delay is the minimum number of system ticks that a task must wait.

115. What are Vx works pipes?

Vx works pipes are queues that can be opened and closed like a file. Pipes are like virtual
IO devices that store the messages as FIFO.

116. What are the different types of scheduling supported by Vx works?

The different types of scheduling supported by Vx works are,
(i) Round robin time sliced scheduling.
(ii) Preemptive scheduling.

117. How are pending tasks handled in Vx works?

The pending tasks handled in Vx works are,
(i) Using task priority.
(ii) As a FIFO when accepting an IPC.

118. Explain briefly about the system timer in MUCOS.

There are functions for initiating the system time in MUCOS. Starting a multitasking
system by a first and later suspending if forever is shown as a technique in programming
for a multitasking system.

119. How are pending tasks handled in Vx works?

The pending tasks handled in Vx works are,
(i) Using task priority.
(ii) As a FIFO when accepting an IPC.

120. Briefly explain the features supported for mailbox by MUCOS.

MUCOS has mailbox functions and a simple feature that a mailbox has one message
pointer per mailbox. There can be any number of messages or bytes,provided the same
pointer accesses them.

121. What is meant by task resumption?

Task can be scheduled now when the turn comes, which was delayed or suspended.

122. Explain briefly the queue functions adapted in MUCOS.

A queue in MUCOS receives from a sender task and array of message pointers. Message
pointers insertion can be such that later on it can retrieve in FIFO method as well as in
LIFO method from a queue. It depends on whether the post was used or post front
function was used, respectively. This helps in taking notice of a high priority message at
the queue.

123. What is GPP & ASIP?

GPP: A processor from a number of families of processors,microcontroller, embedded
processors and DSPs having a general purpose instruction set and readily available com-
pilers to enable programming in a highlevel language is called a General Purpose Proces-
sor (GPP).
ASIP: A processor designed for specific application on a VLSI chip is called an Applica-
tion Specific Instruction Processor.

124. What are the various forms of system memories?

Internal RAM
Internal ROM / PROM /EPROM
External RAM
Internal Caches
E2PROM or flash memory
External ROM / PROM
RAM Memory buffers
Caches
125. What are the steps required for converting assembly language into a ROM im-
age?
Assembler
Linker
Loader
Locator
Device Programmer / Foundry.
126. What are the steps required for converting high level language into a ROM
image?
Compiler
Linker
Loader
Locator
Device Programmer / Foundry.
127. What is Kernel?
Kernel is a program with functions for memory allocation and deallocation, task schedul-
ing, inter process communication, effective management of shared memory access by us-
ing the signals, exception handling signals,Semaphores, queues, mailboxes etc.
128. What is ASSP?
Application Specific System Processor is a processing unit for specific
tasks, foe e.g. Image compression and that is integrated through the buses with the
main processor in an embedded system.

129. Write short notes on multiplexer and demultiplexer.

Multiplexer: A digital circuit that has digital inputs from multiple channels. It sends only
one channel output at a time. The channel at the output has the same address as the chan-
nel address bits in its input.
Demultiplexer: A digital circuit that has digital outputs at any instance in multiple chan-
nels. The channel that is connected is the one that has the sane address as the channel ad-
dress bits in its input.
130. What is the use of pipe & file?
A pipe is used for buffering a stream of bytes.
A file is used for reading and writing the stream of bytes or words.

131. What is the use of pipe & file?

A pipe is used for buffering a stream of bytes.
A file is used for reading and writing the stream of bytes or words.

132. Define protocol.

A way of transmitting messages on a network by using software for adding the additional
bits like starting bits, headers addresses of source and destination
133. Define half-duplex communication.
Serial port has one common I/O lines. For example, a telephone line message flows one
way at an instance.
134. Define full duplex communication.
Serial port has two distinct I/O lines. For example, a modem connection to the computer
can port. There are two lines TXD and RXSD at 9 pins or 25 pins connector. Message
flows both ways at an instance.
135. What are the features of the USB protocol?
Using USB, a device can be attached configured and used, reset configured and used,
share the bandwidth with other devices detached and reattached.
136. Explain briefly about PCI and PCI/X buses.
PCI and PCI/X buses are used and these are independent from the IBM architecture.
PCI/X is an extension of PCI and supports 64/100 MHz transfer.Lately, new versions
have been introduced for the PCI bus architecture.
137. Define Semaphore.
Semaphore is a special variable or function that is used to take note of
certain actions to prevent another task or process from proceeding.
138. What is shared data problem?
If a variable is used in two different processes (tasks) and another task if interrupts with-
out before the operation on that is completed, then the shared data problem arises.
139. What is priority inversion problem? How it can be solved?
A problem in which a low priority task inadvertently does not release the process for a
higher priority task. An operating system can take care of this it by appropriate provision-
s.This problem can be solved by temporarily boosting the low priority task to higher pri-
ority task which is called as priority inheritance.

140. Explain briefly Deadlock situation.

A task waiting for some semaphore the release of a semaphore from a task and another a
different task waiting for another semaphore release to run. None of these is able to pro-
ceed further. An operating system can take care of this it by appropriate provisions.
141. Explain the term (i) Message Queue (ii) Mailbox (iii) Pipe (iv) Socket.
Message Queue
A task sending the multiple FIFO or priority message into a queue for use by another
task(s) using queue message as an input.
Mailbox
A message(s) or message pointer from a task that is addressed to another task.
Pipe
A task sending the messages used by and another task using these as input.
A pipe can be a device like file which is also a virtual device.
Socket
It provides the logical link using a protocol between the tasks in a clientserver
or peer-to-peer environment.
142. What is the use of Remote Procedure Call?
A method used for connecting two remotely placed methods by first using a protocol for
connecting the processes. It is used in the cases of distributed tasks.
143. Define Thread.
A minimum unit for a scheduler to schedule the CPU and other system resources. A
process may consist of multiple threads. A thread has an independent process control
block like a task control block and a thread also executes codes under the control of a
scheduler.
144. How are pending tasks handled in Vx works?
The pending tasks handled in Vx works are,
(i) Using task priority.
(ii) As a FIFO when accepting an IPC.
145. Briefly explain the features supported for mailbox by MUCOS.
MUCOS has mailbox functions and a simple feature that a mailbox has one message
pointer per mailbox. There can be any number of messages or bytes, provided the same
pointer accesses them.
146. What is meant by task resumption?
Task can be scheduled now when the turn comes, which was delayed or suspended.
147. Explain briefly the queue functions adapted in MUCOS.
A queue in MUCOS receives from a sender task and array of message pointers. Message
pointers insertion can be such that later on it can retrieve in FIFO method as well as in
LIFO method from a queue. It depends on whether the post was used or post front func-
tion was used, respectively. This helps in taking notice of a high priority message at the
queue.
148. What is meant by task delay?
Time delay is the minimum number of system ticks that a task must wait.
149. What are Vx works pipes?
Vx works pipes are queues that can be opened and closed like a file. Pipes are like virtual
IO devices that store the messages as FIFO.

150. What are the different types of scheduling supported by Vx works?

The different types of scheduling supported by Vx works are,
(i) Round robin time sliced scheduling.
(ii) Preemptive scheduling.