Hall Ticket No: Course Code: A8460

III B.Tech II Semester Regular Examinations, April - 2025

(Regulations: VCE-R22)
EMBEDDED SYSTEM DESIGN
(ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING)
Date: XX April 2025 Time: 3 Hours Maximum Marks: 60
Answer all questions at one place only.
Course Outcomes with Bloom’s Levels:
Bloom’s
CO# CO Statement
Level (L#)
CO1 Utilize the classification of embedded systems based on performance, complexity,
L3
and era to assess their suitability for modern applications.
CO2 Examine the factors influencing the selection of memory, sensors, actuators, and
L4
their interfacing to design optimized embedded systems.
CO3 Implement various approaches to embedded firmware development, integrating
L3
hardware and software considerations effectively
CO4 Analyze the role of real-time operating systems (RTOS) in embedded firmware
L4
design, focusing on task scheduling, multitasking, and multiprocessing.
CO5 Apply task synchronization techniques to evaluate address latency and performance
L3
challenges in embedded systems.
Questions:
PART-A (Short Answer Type Questions)
CO# BL# Marks
1. a) Give an example of an embedded system with an application-specific 1M
CO1 3
user interface.
b) What is the importance of size and cost constraints in the design of 1M
CO1 2
embedded systems
c) How does the LED work in source mode and sink mode? CO2 3 1M
d) What is the unique feature of the 1-Wire interface that distinguishes it 1M
CO2 3
from other communication protocols?
e) How does a brown-out protection circuit evaluate and respond to a 1M
CO3 3
voltage drop in an appliance?
f) Explain the role of Real Time Clock (RTC) in Embedded System. CO3 2 1M
g) The user application and kernel interface is provided through 1M
CO4 2
(a) System calls (b) Shared memory (c) Services (d) All of these
h) Which of the following is an example of a synchronous interrupt? 1M
CO4 2
(a) TRAP (b) External interrupt (c) Divide by zero (d) Timer interrupt
i) What is the key difference between a unidirectional and a bidirectional 1M
CO5 2
‘Pipe’ in process communication?
j) How does a message queue facilitate communication between processes CO5 3 1M
 or threads in an operating system?
PART-B (Descriptive Questions)
2. Differentiate between monitoring and control functionalities in 5M
a) embedded systems. Discuss their applications in medical and CO1 3
instrumentation systems, providing examples for each.
Illustrate the key characteristics of embedded systems that distinguish 5M
b) them from general-purpose computing systems, and discuss the CO1 2
concepts of 'reactive' and 'real-time' operations in embedded systems.
(OR)
Describe the role of embedded systems in data collection, storage, and 5M
c) representation. How do they support the functionality of consumer CO1 3
electronics?
Explain the operational quality attributes of an embedded system and 5M
d) CO1 2
describe each in detail.

3. Explain the different categories of processor cores used in embedded 5M

a) CO2 2
systems.
Draw the diagram of the I2C communication protocol and explain its 5M
b) CO2 3
working in detail.
(OR)
Compare and contrast Masked ROM (MROM) and Programmable Read- 5M
c) Only Memory (PROM), and discuss their advantages and limitations in CO2 4
the context of embedded systems.
Analyze the role of sensors and actuators in embedded systems. How do 5M
d) they interact with the environment to facilitate both control and CO2 4
monitoring functions?

4. Examine the function of a watchdog timer in an embedded system, its 5M

a) influence on system stability, and provide examples of both internal and CO3 3
external implementations and their effectiveness.
Draw a diagram of the assembly language to machine language 5M
b) CO3 3
conversion process and explain it in detail.
(OR)
c) Explain the different ‘Embedded Firmware Design’ approaches in detail. CO3 2 5M
Describe the ‘High Level Language’ based embedded firmware 5M
d) CO3 2
development technique and its key features.

5. a) List and explain the basic functions of a Real-Time Kernel in detail. CO4 2 5M
With a neat diagram explain the structure of a process, its memory 5M
b) organization, and the various process states along with the transitions CO4 3
between these states.
(OR)
Compare and contrast multiprocessing, multitasking, and 5M
c) multiprogramming, analyzing their key differences, advantages, and CO4 4
suitable use cases.
Analyze the different types of non-preemptive scheduling algorithms, 5M
d) CO4 4
comparing their merits and demerits in various system environments.

6. With a neat diagram, explain the concept of Remote Procedure Call (RPC) 5M
a) CO5 3
in inter-process communication.
b) Explain the role of device drivers in an embedded operating system in CO5 2 5M
 managing communication between user applications and hardware
peripherals.
(OR)
Illustrate the concept of deadlock in an operating system, identify the 5M
c) conditions that lead to a deadlock situation, and discuss the methods CO5 2
that can be used to prevent it.
With a neat diagram, explain the concept of a Counting Semaphore and 5M
d) how it manages access to shared resources. Describe how it controls the CO5 3
number of processes that can access a resource simultaneously.

Course Syllabus
UNIT-I:
Introduction to Embedded Systems: Definition of Embedded System, Embedded Systems Vs
General Computing Systems, History of Embedded Systems, Classification of Embedded Systems, Major
Application Areas, Purpose of Embedded Systems, Characteristics and Quality Attributes of Embedded
Systems.

UNIT-II:
Typical Embedded System: Core of the Embedded System: General Purpose and Do- main Specific
Processors, ASICs, PLDs, Commercial Off-The-Shelf Components (COTS), Memory: ROM, RAM,
Memory according to the type of Interface, Memory Shadowing, Memory selection for Embedded
Systems, Sensors and Actuators, Communication Inter-face: Onboard and External Communication
Interfaces.
UNIT-III:
Embedded Firmware Design and Development: Reset Circuit, Brown-out Protection Circuit,
Oscillator Unit, Real Time Clock, Watchdog Timer, Embedded Firmware Design Approaches and
Development Languages.
UNIT-IV:
RTOS Based Embedded System Design: Operating System Basics, Types of Operating Systems, Tasks,
Process and Threads, Multiprocessing and Multitasking, Task Scheduling.
UNIT-V:
Task Communication: Shared Memory, Message Passing, Remote Procedure Call and Sockets, Task
Synchronization: Task Communication/Synchronization Issues, Task Synchronization Techniques,
Device Drivers, Methods to Choose an RTOS.
4. Books and Materials
Text Book:
1.Shibu K.V, Introduction to Embedded Systems, TATA Mc Graw Hill, 2009.
Reference Books:
1. Raj Kamal, Embedded Systems Architecture, Programming and Design, 3rd edition, TMH, 2017.
2. Frank Vahid, Tony Givargis, Embedded System Design, John Wiley, 2009.
3. Lyla B. DAS, Integrated Approach, Pearson, 2013
4. David E. Simon, An Embedded Software Primer, 1st edition, Pearson Education, 2002.