CSCI3575: EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

PROF. HAMID
08/26/2024
WHAT INTERESTS YOU?

Environmental Interactive Bio-

HCI Robotics
Monitoring Art mechatronics
HOW TO BUILD AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM

Sensors

Math

Motors, Lights,
Speakers
GENERAL VIEW OF AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM

input

Software Components Hardware

Components

Embedded System

output
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

¡ An Embedded System can be broadly defined as a device that contains tightly coupled hardware
and software components to perform a single function.
¡ It forms part of a larger system,
¡ It is not intended to be independently programmable by the user
¡ It is expected to work with minimal or no human interaction
BASIC COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

Micro-processor:
• small processing unit,
• part of a CPU,
• uses an external bus to interface with
other peripherals like RAM, ROM, etc.
BASIC COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

¡ A microprocessor is a small processor, where small

refers to size (i.e., it fits in your hand) and not
computational ability.
¡ A computer combines a processor, random access
memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and
input/output (I/O) ports.
MICRO-CONTROLLER: A CORE COMPONENT OF AN
EMBEDDED SYSTEM

Microcontroller: A very small microcomputer that contains all the components of a

computer (processor, memory, I/O) on a single chip.
EARLY FORMS & BIRTH OF AN EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

¡ The concept of Embedded Systems is as old as the concept of an Electronic computer

¡ 1971
¡ Texas Instruments, Intel, and the US Navy developed/implemented the first microprocessors
¡ Gary Boones from Texas Instruments was awarded the patent of the first single chip
microprocessor architecture for the design of TMS 1000
TMS 1000: THE FIRST “MICRO-COMPUTER ON A CHIP”

The original TMS1000 had

à 4 bit CPU
à 1KB ROM (1024 x 8 bits)
à 256 bits of RAM (64 * 4 bit)
à 23 input/output lines

As a calculator chip

A micro-computer on a single chip = micro-controller

i4004: THE FIRST COMMERCIAL SINGLE CHIP
MICROPROCESSOR

¡ Federico Faggin at Intel

¡ 1971
¡ 4-bit CPU, 4K memory
¡ Electronic calculators
CADC: CENTRAL AIR DATA COMPUTER

¡ The CADC was a multi-chip integrated flight control

system (altitude, vertical speed, air speed, …)
¡ Chip: MP944
¡ US Navy
¡ F-14 Tom Cat Fighter
MICROPROCESSORS

¡ After these developments, designers realized the potential of microprocessors and their advantages
for implementing Embedded Systems

¡ CPU : 4 bit >> 8 bit >> 16 bit …

¡ (checkpoint: what do we mean by a 16-bit CPU or a 64-bit CPU?)

¡ Manufacturers: Texas Instruments, Intel, Microchip, Freescale (Motorolla), Zilog, Advanced Micro
Devices (AMD), MIPS, ARM limited, etc.
THE GLOBAL MICROPROCESSOR MARKET

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/microprocessor-market
MICROCONTROLLERS

A microcontroller system is embedded in an integrated

circuit (IC).

A typical microcontroller includes

• a processor,
• program memory,
• RAM,
• input/output pins, and more
on a single chip.

A very small microcomputer, called a microcontroller,

contains all the components of a computer (processor,
memory, I/O) on a single chip.
MICRO-CONTROLLER

¡ A microcontroller (MCU for microcontroller unit,

also MC, UC, or μC) is a small computer on a
single VLSI integrated circuit (IC) chip.
CHECKPOINT

¡ What are the differences between a microcomputer, a microprocessor, and a microcontroller?

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

¡ An embedded system is an electronic system that includes a one or more microcontrollers that is
configured to perform a specific dedicated application.
COMMON PROPERTIES OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

¡ 1) embedded systems typically perform a single function.

¡ Consequently, they solve a limited range of problems. For example, the embedded system in a microwave
oven may be reconfigured to control different versions of the oven within a similar product line. But, a
microwave oven will always be a microwave oven, and you can’t reprogram it to be a dishwasher.

¡ Embedded systems are unique because of the microcontroller’s I/O ports to which the external
devices are interfaced. This allows the system to interact with the real world.
COMMON PROPERTIES OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

¡ 2) embedded systems are tightly constrained. The system must operate within very specific
performance parameters. If an embedded system cannot operate with specifications, it is
considered a failure and will not be sold.

¡ Example: a cell-phone carrier typically gets 832 radio frequencies to use in a city, a hand-held video
game must cost less than $50, an automotive cruise control system must operate the vehicle within
3 mph of the set-point speed…
COMMON PROPERTIES OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

¡ 3) many embedded systems must operate in real-time.

¡ In a real-time system, we can put an upper bound on the time required to perform the input-calculation-output
sequence.
¡ A real-time system can guarantee a worst case upper bound on the response time between when the new input
information becomes available and when that information is processed.
COMMON PROPERTIES OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

¡ 4) embedded systems are known for their small memory requirements as compared to general purpose computers.
There are exceptions to this rule, such as those which process video or audio, but most have memory requirements
measured in thousands of bytes.

¡ Over the years, the memory in embedded systems has increased, but the gap in memory size between embedded
systems and general-purpose computers remains.

¡ The original microcontrollers had thousands of bytes of memory and the PC had millions.

¡ Now, microcontrollers can have millions of bytes, but the PC has billions.
 COMMON TRENDS

There have been two trends in the microcontroller field:

§ to make microcontrollers smaller, cheaper, and performing with lower power:
§ The Atmel ATtiny, Microchip PIC, and Texas Instruments MSP430 families are good examples of
this trend.
§ to have larger RAM and ROM, faster processing, and increasing integration of complex I/O devices, such
as Ethernet, radio, graphics, and audio.
 COMMON TRENDS

§ It is common for one device to have multiple microcontrollers, where the operational tasks are distributed
and the microcontrollers are connected in a local area network (LAN).

§ These high-end features are critical for consumer electronics, medical devices, automotive controllers,
and military hardware, where performance and reliability are more important than cost.

§ However, small size and low power continue as important features for all embedded systems.
EXAMPLES

https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/what-is-an-embedded-system

https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/applications-of-embedded-systems-1

https://www.circuitbasics.com/introduction-to-microcontrolleres/

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/microcontroller-and-its-types/

Chapter 1, real-time interfacing to arm cortex-m microcontrollers (pdf is available …)