Module-4: Embedded System Components

Embedded V/S General Computing System, History of embedded Systems, Classification of

Embedded systems, Major application areas of embedded systems, purpose of embedded
systems.
1. Differentiate between embedded systems versus General computing systems.

General Purpose Computing System Embedded System

A system which is a combination of a generic A system which is a combination of special
hardware and a General Purpose Operating purpose hardware and embedded OS for
System for executing a variety of applications executing a specific set of applications
Contains a General Purpose Operating System May or may not contain an operating system
(GPOS) for functioning
Applications are programmable by the user The firmware of the embedded system is pre-
programmed and it is non-alterable by the end
user.
Performance is the key deciding factor in the Application specific requirements (like
selection of the system. Always Faster is performance, power requirements, memory
Better. usage, etc.) are the key deciding factors.
Not at all tailored towards reduced operating Highly tailored to take advantage of the power
power requirements. saving modes supported by the hardware and
the OS
Response requirements are not time critical For certain category of embedded systems like
mission critical systems, the response time
requirements is highly critical.
Need not be deterministic in execution Execution behavior is deterministic for certain
behavior types of embedded systems like ‘Hard Real
Time’ systems

2. Explain the different classifications of embedded systems. Give an example for each.

Some of the criteria used in the classification of embedded systems are:

1. Based on generation
2. Complexity and performance requirements
3. Based on deterministic behavior
4. Based on triggering.

The classification based on deterministic system behavior is applicable for ‘Real Time’ systems.
The task execution behavior for an embedded system can be deterministic or non- deterministic.
Based on the execution behavior, Real Time embedded systems are classified into Hard and Soft.
Embedded Systems which are ‘Reactive’ in nature can be classified based on the trigger. Reactive
systems can be either event triggered or time triggered.
Non-determistic = A system in which the output cannot be predicted because there are multiple possible outcomes for
each input.
Deterministic = A system in which the output can be predicted with 100 percent certainty.
In other words, soft and hard determinists agree that determinism is true, but they disagree about
whether free choices are possible given that determinism is true. The ‘softies’ say they are; the ‘hardies’
say they aren’t.

1. Classification Based on Generation

This classification is based on the order in which the embedded processing systems evolved from
the first version to where they are today. As per this criterion, embedded systems can be classified
into:
i) First Generation: The early embedded systems were built around 8bit microprocessors like
8085 and Z80, and 4bit microcontrollers. Simple in hardware circuits with firmware developed
in Assembly code. Digital telephone keypads, stepper motor control units etc. are examples of this.
ii) Second Generation: These are embedded systems built around l6bit microprocessors and 8 or
16 bit microcontrollers. The instruction set for the second generation processors were much more
complex and powerful than the first generation processors. Some of the second generation
embedded systems contained embedded operating systems for their operation. Data Acquisition
Systems, SCADA systems, etc. are examples of second generation embedded systems.
iii) Third Generation: With advances in processor technology, embedded system developers
started making use of powerful 32bit processors and l6bit microcontrollers for their design. A
new concept of application and domain specific processors like Digital Signal Processors (DSP)
and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) came into picture. The instruction set of
processors became more complex and powerful and the concept of instruction pipelining also
evolved. Processors like Intel Pentium, Motorola 68K, etc. gained attention in high performance
embedded requirements. Dedicated embedded real time and general purpose operating systems
entered into the embedded market. Embedded systems spread its areas to robotics, media,
industrial process control, networking, etc.
iv) Fourth Generation: The advent of System on Chips (SoC), reconfigurable processors and
multicore processors are bringing high performance, tight integration and miniaturisation into the
embedded device market. The SoC technique implements a total system on a chip by integrating
different functionalities with a processor core on an integrated circuit. Smart phone devices, mobile
internet devices (MIDs), etc. are examples of fourth generation embedded systems.

2. Classification Based on Complexity and Performance

This classification is based on the complexity and system performance requirements. According
to this classification, embedded systems can be grouped into:
i) Small-Scale Embedded Systems: Embedded systems which are simple in application needs
and where the performance requirements are not time critical fall under this category.
An electronic toy is a typical example of a small-scale embedded system. Small-scale embedded
systems are usually built around low performance and low cost 8 or 16 bit microcontrollers. A
small-scale embedded system may or may not contain an operating system for its functioning.
ii) Medium-Scale Embedded Systems: Embedded systems which are slightly complex in
hardware and firmware requirements fall under this category. Medium-scale embedded systems
are usually built around medium performance, low cost 16 or 32 bit microcontrollers or digital
signal processors. They usually contain an embedded operating system for functioning.
iii) Large-Scale Embedded Systems: Complex Systems Embedded systems which involve highly
complex hardware and firmware requirements fall under this category. They are employed in
mission critical applications demanding high performance. Such systems are commonly built
around high performance 32 or 64 bit RISC processors or Reconfigurable System on Chip
(RSoC) or multi-core processors and programmable logic devices. Decoding/encoding of media,
cryptographic function implementation, etc. are examples. Complex embedded systems usually
contain a high performance Real Time Operating System (RTOS) for task scheduling,
prioritization and management.

3. What is an embedded system? Explain the different applications of embedded system.

An embedded system is an electronic/electro-mechanical system designed to perform a specific

function and is a combination of both hardware and firmware (software).
We are living in a world where embedded systems play a vital role in our day-to-day life, starting
from home to the computer industry. Embedded technology has acquired a new dimension from
its first generation model, the Apollo guidance computer, to the latest radio navigation system
combined with in-car entertainment technology and the microprocessor based “Smart” running
shoes launched by Adidas in April 2005.
The application areas and the products in the embedded domain are countless. A few of the
important domains and products are listed below:
1. Consumer electronics: Camcorders, cameras, etc.
2. Household appliances: Television, DVD players, washing machine, fridge, microwave
oven, etc.
3. Home automation and security systems: Air conditioners, sprinklers, intruder detection
alarms, closed circuit television cameras, fire alarms, etc.
4. Automotive industry: Anti-lock breaking systems (ABS), engine control, ignition systems,
automatic navigation systems, etc.
5. Telecom: Cellular telephones, telephone switches, handset multimedia applications, etc.
6. Computer peripherals: Printers, scanners, fax machines, etc.
7. Computer networking systems. Network routers, switches, hubs, firewalls, etc.
8. Healthcare: Different kinds of scanners, EEG, ECG machines etc.
9. Measurement & Instrumentation. Digital multi meters, digital CROs, logic analyzers PLC
systems, etc.
10. Banking & Retail: Automatic teller machines (ATM) and currency counters, point of sales
(POS)
11. Card Readers: Barcode, smart card readers, hand held devices, etc.

4. Explain the various purposes of embedded systems in detail with illustrative examples.

Embedded systems are used in various domains. Within the domain itself, according to the
application usage context, they may have different functionalities. Each embedded system is
designed to serve the purpose of any one or a combination of the following tasks:
1. Data collection/Storage/Representation
2. Data communication
3. Data (signal) processing
4. Monitoring
5. Control
6. Application specific user interface

1. Data Collection/Storage/Representation: The embedded system designed for data

collection performs acquisition of data from the external world. Data collection is usually done
for storage, analysis, manipulation and transmission. The term “data” refers all kinds of
information, viz. text, voice, image, video, electrical signals and any other measurable
quantities. Data can be either analog or digital.
The collected data may be stored, transmitted, processed or deleted instantly after giving a
meaningful representation. These actions are purely dependent on the purpose for which the
embedded system is designed. Embedded systems designed for pure measurement application
without storage, collects data and gives a meaningful representation of the collected data by
means of graphical representation or quantity value and deletes the collected data when new
data arrives at the data collection terminal. Examples are any measuring equipment used in the
medical domain for monitoring without storage functionality.
Some embedded systems store the collected data for processing and analysis. Such systems
incorporate a storage memory for storing the captured data. A meaningful representation of the
collected data in the form of visual or audible will be given. A digital camera is a typical
example of an embedded system with data collection/storage/representation of data. Images
are captured and the captured image may be stored within the memory of the camera. The
captured image can also be presented to the user through a graphic LCD unit.

2. Data Communication: Embedded data communication systems are deployed in

applications ranging from complex satellite communication systems to simple home
networking systems. The data collected by an embedded terminal may require transferring of
the same to some other system located remotely. The transmission is achieved either by a wire-
line medium or by a wire-less medium. Wire-line medium was the most common choice in
all olden days embedded systems. As technology is changing, wireless medium is becoming
the de-facto standard for data communication in embedded systems. A wireless medium offers
cheaper connectivity solutions and make the communication link free from the hassle of wire
bundles. Data can either be transmitted by analog means or by digital means. Modern industry
trends are settling towards digital communication.
The data collecting embedded terminal itself can incorporate data communication units like
wireless modules (Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, EDGE, GPRS, etc.) or wire-line modules (RS-
232C, USB, TCP/IP, PS2, etc.). Certain embedded systems act as a dedicated transmission unit
between the sending and receiving terminals, offering sophisticated functionalities like data
packetizing, encrypting and decrypting. Network hubs, routers, switches, etc. are typical
examples of dedicated data transmission embedded systems. They act as mediators in data
communication and provide various features like data security, monitoring etc.

3. Data (Signal) Processing: As mentioned earlier, the data (voice, image, video, electrical
signals and other measurable quantities) collected by embedded systems may be used for
various kinds of data processing. Embedded systems with signal processing functionalities are
employed in applications demanding signal processing like speech coding, synthesis, audio
video codec, transmission applications, etc. A digital hearing aid is a typical example of an
embedded system employing data processing. Digital hearing aid improves the hearing
capacity of hearing impaired persons.

4. Monitoring: Embedded systems falling under this category are specifically designed for
monitoring purpose. Almost all embedded products coming under the medical domain are with
monitoring functions only. They are used for determining the state of some variables using
input sensors. They cannot impose control over variables. A very good example is the
electrocardiogram (ECG) machine for monitoring the heartbeat of a patient. The machine is
intended to do the monitoring of the heartbeat. It cannot impose control over the heartbeat.
Some other examples of embedded systems with monitoring function are measuring
instruments like digital CRO, digital multimeters, logic analyzers, etc. used in Control &
Instrumentation applications. They are used for knowing the status of some variables like
current, voltage, etc. They cannot control the variables in turn.

5. Control: Embedded systems with control functionalities impose control over some
variables according to the changes in input variables. A system with control functionality
contains both sensors and actuators. Sensors are connected to the input port for capturing the
changes in measuring variable. The actuators connected to the output port are controlled
according to the changes in input variable to put an impact on the controlling variable to bring
the controlled variable to the specified range.
Air conditioner system used in our home to control the room temperature to a specified limit
is a typical example for embedded system for control purpose. An air-conditioner contains a
room temperature- sensing element (sensor) which may be a thermistor and a handheld unit
for setting up (feeding) the desired temperature. The handheld unit may be connected to the
central embedded unit residing inside the air-conditioner through a wireless link or through a
wired link. The air compressor unit acts as the actuator. The compressor is controlled
according to the current room temperature and the desired temperature set by the end user.

6. Application Specific User Interface: These are embedded systems with application-
specific user interface like buttons, switches, keypad, lights, bells, display units, etc. Mobile
phone is an example for this. In mobile phone the user interface is provided through the keypad,
graphic LCD module, system speaker, vibration alert, etc.