Overview Embedded Systems & IoT

Rajesh M.
Learning objective
At the end of this lecture, you should be able to:
● Outline what is meant by Embedded Systems, give examples of its
application and state its benefits.
● Describe the attributes of embedded systems.
● Outline the constraints on embedded systems including their impact.
● Understand the idea of IoT.
Outline
● Introduction to Embedded Systems
● Characteristics
● Application Areas
● Classification
● Options for Building Embedded Systems
● Benefits of embedded systems
● Embedded System Functions
● Attributes of embedded systems
● MCU Hardware & Software for Concurrency
● Embedded System Constraints and their impact
● Brief overview of IoT
Introduction to Embedded Systems
• What is an Embedded System?
• Application-specific computer system
• Built into a larger system
• Why add a computer to the larger system?
• Better performance
• More functions and features
• Lower cost
• More dependability

• Economics
• Microcontrollers (used for embedded computers) are high-volume, so recurring cost is low
• Nonrecurring cost dominated by software development
• Networks
• Often embedded system will use multiple processors communicating across a network to lower parts
and assembly costs and improve reliability
 Introduction to Embedded Systems
• What is an embedded system?
• Application-specific computer system
• Built into a larger system embedded
system
• Often with real-time computing constraints
• Why add an embedded computer to a larger system?
• Better performance
• More functions and features
• Lower cost, e.g., through automation
Embedded Computer
• More dependability Software
Hardware
Input from Output to environment
environment

User interface Link to other systems

ES - Combination of Hardware and Software
for a dedicated application

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 Characteristics of ES
• Do a very specific task
• Have very limited resources – memory, display etc.
• Have to work against some deadlines – real-time
• Are constrained for power – low power consumption
• Need to be highly reliable
• Some have to operate in extreme environmental conditions.
• Cost sensitive – based on application

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ES Application Areas

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Example: Gasoline automobile engine control unit
• Functions ▪ Many inputs and outputs
– Fuel injection ▪ Discrete sensors & actuators
– Air intake setting ▪ Network interface to rest of car
– Spark timing

– Exhaust gas circulation

▪ Use high-performance microcontroller
▪ E.g. 32-bit, 3MB flash memory, 150-300 MHz
– Electronic throttle control

– Knock control

• Constraints
– Reliability in harsh environment
– Cost

– Weight
Classification of Embedded Systems

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 Classification based on Functionality
• Real Time
• Stand Alone
• Networked
• Mobile

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Real Time Embedded Systems

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 Stand Alone

• Examples: mp3 players, digital cameras, video game consoles, microwave ovens

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 Networked

• Embedded systems that are provide with network interfaces

and are accessed by networks ( Wired or Wireless
Connections)
• Examples
– Networked process control system
– Web camera connected to the internet
– Networked home security system

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IoT Systems

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 Mobile
• Portable Embedded
Devices
• Examples
– Smart Phones, Digital
Watches, Tablets

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 Classification based on complexity

• Small Scale
• Medium Scale
• Sophisticated

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 Small Scale
• Designed with
– 8 bit or 16 bit microcontrollers
– have minimum hardware and software
• Small in size, low power battery operated
• Can be developed using simple programming tools like editor,
assembler, cross assembler etc.
• Examples: Bus Ticketing System, Water Tank Level Monitoring System

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 Medium Scale
• Designed with
– 16/32 bit MCs, RISC Processors or DSPs
– have both hardware and software complexities

• Can be developed using programming tools like C, C++, debugger,

source code engineering tool, simulator and IDE.
• Examples: Washing Machine, Microwave Oven, and Vending
machine.

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 Sophisticated
• Designed with
– ASICS, FPGAs, scalable or configurable processors
– have both hardware and software complexities
• needs sophisticated tools for development

• Examples: Flight Landing Gear Systems, Car Braking Systems, Military

Applications

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 Options for Building Embedded Systems
Implementation Design Unit Upgrades Size Weight Power System
Cost Cost & Bug Speed
Fixes
Dedicated Hardware

Discrete Logic low mid hard large high ? very fast

ASIC high very low hard tiny - 1 die very low low extremely
($500K/ fast
mask set)

Programmable logic – low mid easy small low medium to very fast
FPGA, PLD high

Microprocessor + low to mid mid easy small to low to medium moderate

Software Running on
Generic Hardware

memory + peripherals med. moderate

Microcontroller (int. low mid to low easy small low medium slow to
memory & peripherals) moderate

Embedded PC low high easy medium moderate to medium to fast

high high
Benefits of embedded systems
• Greater performance and efficiency
– Software makes it possible to provide sophisticated controls
• Lower costs
– Less expensive components can be used
– Manufacturing costs reduced

– Operating costs reduced

– Maintenance costs reduced

• More features
– Many not possible or practical with other approaches
• Better dependability
– Adaptive system which can compensate for failures
– Better diagnostics to improve repair time
Embedded System Functions

• Closed-loop control system

– Monitor a process, adjust an output to maintain desired set point
(temperature, speed, direction, etc.)
• Sequencing
– Step through different stages based on environment and system
• Signal processing
– Remove noise, select desired signal features
• Communications and networking
– Exchange information reliably and quickly
Attributes of embedded systems
• Interfacing with larger system and environment
– Analog signals for reading sensors
• Typically use a voltage to represent a physical value
– Power electronics for driving motors, solenoids
– Digital interfaces for communicating with other digital devices
• Simple – switches
• Complex – displays

• Concurrent, reactive behaviors

– Must respond to sequences and combinations of events
– Real-time systems have deadlines on responses

– Typically must perform multiple separate activities concurrently

Attributes of embedded systems

• Fault handling
– Many systems must operate independently for long periods of
time, requiring them to handle likely faults without crashing
– Often fault-handling code is larger and more complex than the

normal-case code
• Diagnostics
– Help service personnel determine problems quickly
Microcontroller vs. Microprocessor

• Both have a CPU core to execute instructions

• Microcontroller has peripherals for concurrent embedded
interfacing and control
– Analog
– Non-logic level

signals
– Timing

– Clock generators

– Communications

– Reliability and safety

CPUs → MCUs → embedded systems
• Microprocessor (CPU)
– Defined typically as a single processor core that supports at least
instruction fetching, decoding, and executing
– Normally can be used for general-purpose computing, but needs to be

supported with memories and Input/Outputs(IOs)

Instruction fetcher Memory Interface To memory
blocks
Instruction decoder

Register banks

ALU
Microprocessor
CPUs → MCUs → embedded systems

• Microcontroller (MCU)
– Typically has a single processor core
– Has memory blocks, Digital IOs, Analog IOs, and other basic

peripherals
– Typically used for basic control purpose, such as embedded

applications
Program Data
Microprocessor
Memory Memory
System Bus

Digital I/O Analog I/O Timer Other

peripheral
Microcontroller
CPUs → MCUs → embedded systems
• Embedded System
– Typically implemented using MCUs
– Often integrated into a larger mechanical or electrical

system
– Usually has real-time constraints

Embedded
System
MCU Hardware & Software for Concurrency
Peripheral Bus
• CPU executes instructions from one or more
Timers
thread of execution
• Specialized hardware peripherals add
dedicated concurrent processing ADC
Cortex-M
– Watchdog timer Core
– Analog interfacing
Interrupt GPIO
– Timers Controller
– Communications with other devices

– Detecting external signal events

UART

– LCD driver

• Peripherals use interrupts to notify CPU of I2C

events
Constraints

• Cost
– Competitive markets penalize products which don’t deliver adequate value for the cost
• Size and weight limits
– Mobile (aviation, automotive) and portable (e.g. handheld) systems
• Power and energy limits
– Battery capacity
– Cooling limits

• Environment
– Temperatures may range from -40°C to 125°C, or even more
Impact of Constraints

• Microcontrollers used (rather than microprocessors)

– Include peripherals to interface with other devices, respond efficiently
– On-chip RAM, ROM reduce circuit board complexity and cost

• Programming language
– Programmed in C rather than Java (smaller and faster code, so less expensive MCU)
– Some performance-critical code may be in assembly language

• Operating system
– Typically, no OS, but instead simple scheduler (or even just interrupts + main code
(foreground/background system)
– If OS is used, likely to be a lean RTOS
Building embedded systems using MCUs
• In most embedded systems, MCUs are chosen to be the best solution, since they offer:
– Low development and manufacturing cost
– Easy porting and updating

– Light footprint

– Relatively low power consumption

– Satisfactory performance for low-end products

Internet of Things (IoT)
 What is IoT
Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a large ecosystem of devices and smart objects that can gather, exchange, and act o
networking infrastructure.

These “things” include:

o Home appliances, e.g., washing machines, fridges, kettles, vacuum cleaners, light bulbs, thermostats, door l
o Civil engineering structures, e.g., bridges and railways
o Wearable devices, e.g., smart watches, smart glasses, rings, and clothes
o Entertainment devices, e.g., TVs, game consoles, and toys
o Biomedical devices, e.g., pacemakers, blood pressure monitors, digital pills
o And conceivably any THING in the world

INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)

IoT
 IoT : Connecting sensor to Cloud

Cloud

LoRa Mote
 THANK YOU
You can find us at:

38
www.nielit.gov.in/calicut
[email protected]

11/24/2020 NIELIT CALICUT