Introduction to embedded System

Q1.What is Embedded System?

An embedded system is an electronic system, which includes single chip microcomputers

(Microcontrollers) like the ARM or Cortex or Stellaris LM3S1968. It is configured to perform a
specific dedicated application.
An embedded system is some combination of computer hardware and software, either fixed in
capability or programmable, that is designed for a specific function or for specific functions
within a larger system. Here the microcomputer is embedded or hidden inside the system. Every
embedded microcomputer system accepts inputs, performs computations, and generates
outputs and runs in real time.
Ex: Cell phone, Digital camera, Microwave Oven, MP3 player, Portable digital assistant &
automobile antilock brake system Industrial machines, agricultural and process industry devices,
automobiles, medical equipment, household appliances, airplanes, vending machines and toys as
well as mobile devices are all possible locations for an embedded system.etc.

Q2. Compare in between Embedded Systems General Purpose Computing Systems

Embedded System General Purpose Computing System

A system which is a combination of special A system which is a combination of generic
purpose hardware and embedded OS for hardware and General Purpose Operating
executing a specific set of applications System for executing a variety of applications

May or may not contain an operating system

Contain a General Purpose Operating System
for functioning (GPOS)
The firmware of the embedded system is pre-
Applications are alterable (programmable) by
programmed and it is non-alterable by end-user
user (It is possible for the end user to re-install
the Operating System, and add or remove user
applications)
Application specific requirements (like Performance is the key deciding factor on the
performance, power requirements, memory selection of the system. Always “Faster is
usage etc) are the key deciding factors Better”.

Highly tailored to take advantage of the power Less/not at all tailored towards reduced
saving modes supported by hardware and operating power requirements, options for
Operating System different levels of power management.

For certain category of embedded systems like Response requirements are not time critical
mission critical systems, the response time
requirement is highly critical

Execution behavior is deterministic for certain Need not be deterministic in execution

type of embedded systems like „Hard Real behavior
Time‟ systems

Q3. Classify Embedded Systems

Embedded Systems can be classified

i) Based on Generation
ii) Based on Complexity and Performance analysis
iii) Based on Function
iv) Based on Triggering

i) Embedded Systems - Classification based on Generation

First Generation: The early embedded systems built around 8-bit microprocessors like 8085
and Z80 and 4-bit microcontrollers.
EX. stepper motor control units, Digital Telephone Keypads etc.

Second Generation: Embedded Systems built around 16-bit microprocessors and 8 or 16-bit
microcontrollers, following the first generation embedded systems
EX. SCADA, Data Acquisition Systems etc.

Third Generation: Embedded Systems built around high performance 16/32 bit
Microprocessors/controllers, Application Specific Instruction set processors like Digital Signal
Processors (DSPs), and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs).The instruction set is
complex and powerful.
EX. Robotics, industrial process control, networking etc.

Fourth Generation: Embedded Systems built around System on Chips (SoC’s), Re-
configurable processors and multicore processors. It brings high performance, tight integration
and miniaturization into the embedded device market
EX Smart phone devices, MIDs etc.

ii) Embedded Systems - Classification based on Complexity and Performance

➢ Small Scale: The embedded systems built around low performance and low cost 8 or 16 bit
microprocessors/ microcontrollers. It is suitable for simple applications and where performance
is not time critical. It may or may not contain OS.

➢ Medium Scale: Embedded Systems built around medium performance, low cost 16 or 32 bit
microprocessors / microcontrollers or DSPs. These are slightly complex in hardware and
firmware. It may contain GPOS/RTOS.

➢ Large Scale/Complex: Embedded Systems built around high performance 32 or 64 bit RISC
processors/controllers, RSoC or multi-core processors and PLD. It requires complex hardware
and software. These system may contain multiple processors/controllers and co-units/hardware
accelerators for offloading the processing requirements from the main processor. It contains
RTOS for scheduling, prioritization and management.

iii) Embedded Systems - Classification Based on Function

Stand alone Embedded systems: A stand-alone embedded system works by itself. It is a self-
contained device which does not require any host system like a computer. It takes either digital
or analog inputs from its input ports, calibrates, converts, and processes the data, and outputs the
resulting data to its attached output device, which either displays data, or controls and drives the
attached devices.

EX: Temperature measurement systems, Video game consoles, MP3 players, digital cameras,
and microwave ovens are the examples for this category

Real-time embedded systems: An embedded system which gives the required output in a
specified time or which strictly follows the time deadlines for completion of a task is known as a
Real time system. i.e. a Real Time system , in addition to functional correctness, also satisfies the
time constraints . There are two types of Real time systems: (i) Soft real time system and (ii)
Hard real time system.

Soft Real-Time system: A Real time system in which, the violation of time constraints will
cause only the degraded quality, but the system can continue to operate is known as a Soft real
time system. In soft real-time systems, the design focus is to offer a guaranteed bandwidth to
each real-time task and to distribute the resources to the tasks.

Ex: A Microwave Oven, washing machine, TV remote etc.

Hard Real-Time system: A Real time system in which, the violation of time constraints will
cause critical failure and loss of life or property damage or catastrophe is known as a Hard Real
time system. These systems usually interact directly with physical hardware instead of through a
human being .The hardware and software of hard real-time systems must allow a worst case
execution (WCET) analysis that guarantees the execution be completed within a strict deadline.
The chip selection and RTOS selection become important factors for hard real-time system
design.
Ex: Deadline in a missile control embedded system , Delayed alarm during a Gas leakage , car
airbag control system , A delayed response in pacemakers ,Failure in RADAR functioning etc.

Networked embedded systems: The networked embedded systems are related to a network with
network interfaces to access the resources. The connected network can be a Local Area Network
(LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. The connection can be either wired or
wireless. The networked embedded system is the fastest growing area in embedded systems
applications. The embedded web server is such a system where all embedded devices are
connected to a web server and can be accessed and controlled by any web browser.

Ex: A home security system is an example of a LAN networked embedded system where all
sensors (e.g. motion detectors, light sensors, or smoke sensors) are wired and running on the
TCP/IP protocol.

Mobile Embedded systems: The portable embedded devices like mobile and cellular phones, digital
cameras, MP3 players, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) are the example for mobile embedded
systems. The basic limitation of these devices is the limitation of memory and other resources.

iv) Embedded Systems - Classification Based on Triggering:

These are classified into two types

1. Event Triggered: Activities within the system (e.g., task run-times) are dynamic and depend
upon occurrence of different events.

2. Time triggered: Activities within the system follow a statically computed schedule (i.e., they
are allocated time slots during which they can take place) and thus by nature are predictable.

Q4. What are the major area of Embedded Systems

Major Application Areas of Embedded Systems:

i) Consumer Electronics: Camcorders, Cameras etc.

ii) Household Appliances: Television, DVD players, washing machine, Fridge,

Microwave Oven etc.

iii) Home Automation and Security Systems: Air conditioners, sprinklers, Intruder
detection alarms, Closed Circuit Television Cameras, Fire alarms etc.

iv) Automotive Industry: Anti-lock breaking systems (ABS), Engine Control, Ignition
Systems, Automatic Navigation Systems etc.

v) Telecom: Cellular Telephones, Telephone switches, Handset Multimedia

Applications etc.
vi) Computer Peripherals: Printers, Scanners, Fax machines etc.
vii) Computer Networking Systems: Network Routers, Switches, Hubs, Firewalls etc.
viii) Health Care: Different Kinds of Scanners, EEG, ECG Machines etc.
ix) Measurement & Instrumentation: Digital multi meters, Digital CROs, Logic
Analyzers PLC systems etc.

x) Banking & Retail: Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) and Currency counters, Point
of Sales (POS)
xi) Card Readers: Barcode, Smart Card Readers, Hand held Devices etc.

Q5. List the main purposes of embedded systems

Each Embedded Systems is designed to serve the purpose of any one or a combination of the
following tasks.

o Data Collection/Storage/Representation

o Data Communication

o Data (Signal) Processing

o Monitoring

o Control

o Application Specific User Interface