College of Electronics Engineering Embedded Systems

4th Year
Systems and Control Engineering By: Mr. Ali Khaleel
Department

What’s an Embedded System (E.S)

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What is an Embedded System?
• It is the integration of [Sensors, Actuators and Intelligence] with [a system] to
produce:
• More Capable
• Versatile
• Robust performance
Why are we here?
• A key impact technology for the 21st century

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Classification Of E.S.s
E.S.s can be classified into 3 types:
1. Small – scale E.S.s:
• these systems are designed with a single 8-bit, or 16-bit microcontroller.
• They have little h/w & s/w complexities and involve board-level design.
• They may even be battery operated.
• An editor & assembler specific to the μC are used.
• C – language (or similar languages) is used for developing these systems.
• Commonly used microcontrollers
2. Medium – scale E.S.s:
• These are designed with a single or few 16-bit or 32-bit microcontroller.
• They have both h/w& s/w complexities
• Programming tools: RTOS, source code eng. Tool, simulator, debugger &
Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

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3. Sophisticated E.S.s:
• These systems have enormous h/w & s/w complexities and may need scalable
processors or configurable processors & PLAs.
• They are used for applications that need h/w & s/w co-design & integration in the
final system.
• Development tools may not be available at a reasonable cist or may not be
available at all. In some cases, a compiler might have to be developed for these
systems.
• Commonly used microcontrollers: Intel80960, ARM7, MPC604.

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Appropriate Microcontroller Use
A microcontroller is the correct tool to use when:
• Intelligence is required in the system.
• The complexity of a system is reduced when using one.
• The cost of the microcontroller is “less” than using discrete components to do the
same job.
• A variety of sensors and actuators must be integrated in the system.
• Communication with other devices is necessary.
Appropriate Microcontroller Use
A microcontroller is NOT the correct tool to use when:
• The system requires little or no intelligence.
• The system can be made easier and/or cheaper using discrete-components.

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Controller of Embedded System parts can be put in following diagram:

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The Embedded System “Concept Map”

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Systems Need Control
Systems need control could be: • Biological (i.e. ……….)
• Mechanical (i.e. ……….) • Thermodynamic (i.e. ……….)
• Electrical (i.e. ……….) • Chemical (i.e. ……….)
• Electro-Mechanical (Mechatronics) • Other Systems ?

The questions need to be asked are:

• What’s wrong with that system?

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Sensor & Signal Conditioner
• Required for “closed loop control”. *
• Measures important system variable(s)
• These measurements may need to be conditioned for use by the “brain.”
• The conditioning involves
1- Scaling 2- Offsetting
3- Filtering 4- Etc….
• These conditioning are required to have meaningful data*.

Power Source(s)
• May need to provide multiple voltage levels (e.g.,+5v, ±12v, +24v).
• May need to supply power other than electrical (e.g., hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.)
• May require both high-power and low-power levels.

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Power Interface
• Needs to do power amplification.
• Able to handle the power requirements demanded by the actuator.
• Usually analog, possibly PWM (What PWM mean?)
Actuator
• Energy conversion device.
• Converts power to the kind needed by the controlled device.
• motor, brake, pump, solenoid, linear actuator, etc. (Other types of actuators ?!)

User Interface
• Takes input commands from the user
• Provides meaningful information to the user. This information could be:
• GUI
• Meter
• Warning Indicator
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 Controller Hardware
• Microcontroller • Interface Circuitry
• Communication circuit. • pull-up/pull-down resistors
• other devices of UI • Analog processing

Controller Software
• C/C++/Arduino IDE for many functions.
• Assembly language for higher speed functions.
• FPGA for highest speed (VHDL)
Example: Printer
• It does not need an external controller.
• It has its own control unit embedded in it
• The controller is programmed to perform only one function that is specific.
• The function performed by the printer is to read the data and print it on the paper.
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A “short list” of embedded systems
• Anti-lock brakes • Modems
• Auto-focus cameras • MPEG decoders
• Automatic teller machines • Network cards
• Automatic toll systems • Network
• Automatic transmission switches/routers
• Avionic systems • On-board navigation
• Battery chargers • Pagers
• Camcorders • Photocopiers
• Cell phones • Point-of-sale systems
• Cell-phone base stations • Portable video games
• Cordless phones • Printers
• Cruise control • Satellite phones
• Curbside check-in systems • Scanners
• Digital cameras • Smart
• Disk drives ovens/dishwashers
• Electronic card readers • Speech recognizers
• Electronic instruments • Stereo systems
• Electronic toys/games • Teleconferencing
• Factory control systems
• Fax machines • Televisions
• Fingerprint identifiers • Temperature controllers
• Home security systems • Theft tracking systems
• Life-support systems • TV set-top boxes
• Medical testing systems • VCR’s, DVD players
• Video game consoles
• Video phones
• Washers and dryers

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