EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

Module III
Embedded Systems – Definition, Embedded systems vs general computing
systems, Classification of Embedded Systems, Major application areas of
Embedded Systems, Elements of an Embedded System, Core of the Embedded
System, Microprocessor vs Microcontroller, RISC vs CISC, Harvard vs Von-
Neumann. Text 2: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, Fig. 2.1, 2.1, 2.1.1.4, 2.1.1.6, 2.1.1.7.
Sensors and Interfacing – Instrumentation and control systems, Transducers,
Sensors. Text 1: Chapter 15
Actuators, LED, 7-Segment LED Display, Stepper Motor, Relay, Piezo Buzzer, Push
Button Switch, Keyboard. Text 2: 2.3.2, 2.3.3.1 to 2.3.3.8 except 2.3.3.3
Communication Interface, UART, Parallel Interface, USB, Wi-Fi, GPRS. Text 2: 2.4,
2.4.1.3, 2.4.1.5, 2.4.2.2, 2.4.2.6, 2.4.2.8.
Applications of Embedded Systems
DEFINITION
An Electronic/Electro mechanical system which is
designed to perform a specific function and is a
combination of both hardware and firmware
(Software)
 Embedded Systems Vs
General Computing
Systems
General Computing System Embedded Systems

combination of generic hardware and General combination of special purpose hardware and
Purpose Operating System embedded OS for executing a specific set of
applications
Contain a General Purpose Operating System (GPOS) May or may not contain an operating system for
functioning
Applications are alterable (programmable) by user The firmware of the embedded system is pre-
programmed and it is non-alterable by end-user
Performance is the key deciding factor on the Application specific requirements (like performance,
selection of the system. Always ‘Faster is Better’ power requirements, memory usage etc) are the key
deciding factors
 Embedded Systems Vs
General Computing
Systems
General Computing System Embedded Systems

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

Response requirements are not time critical For certain category of embedded systems like
mission critical systems, the response time
requirement is highly critical
Need not be deterministic in execution behavior Execution behavior is deterministic for certain type of
embedded systems like ‘Hard Real Time’ systems
Classification
of Embedded
Systems

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

 Classification of
Embedded Systems

Based on Generation
First Generation Second Generation Third Generation Fourth Generation

Based on Complexity and performance

Medium Scale Embedded
Small Scale Embedded Systems Large Scale Embedded Systems
Systems
Classification of Embedded
Systems based on Generation
First Generation
•8 Bit Microprocessors(8085) and 4 bit Microcontrollers .
Simple in hardware circuits with firmware developed in
assembly code.
Digital Telephone Keypads, Stepper Motor Control units.

Second Generation
•built around 16 bit microprocessors. 8 bit and 16 bit
microcontrollers. More complex and powerful
Data Acquisition systems, SCADA systems
Classification of Embedded
Systems based on Generation
Third Generation
• Application and domain specific processors/controllers like
Digital Signal Processors(DSP) and Application Specific
Integrated Circuits(ASICs)
• Instruction set more complex and powerful
• Instruction Pipelining
Fourth Generation
• System on Chip, Reconfigurable processors and multicore
processors
• High performance, tight integration and miniaturization
 Classification Based on
Complexity and Performance

Small Scale Embedded Systems

Medium Scale Embedded Systems

Large Scale Embedded Systems

Classification of Embedded Systems
based on Complexity and
Performance
Small Scale Embedded Systems
• Simple in application needs, performance
requirements are not time critical
• Built on low cost 8 or 16 bit
microprocessors/microcontrollers
• May or may not contain an operating system for
its functioning

Eg: Electronic Toy

Classification of Embedded Systems
based on Complexity and
Performance

Medium Scale Embedded Systems

• Slightly complex in hardware and firmware
requirements
• Built around low cost 16 bit/ 32 bit
microprocessors/microcontrollers
• Usually contain an embedded operating
system
Classification of Embedded Systems
based on Complexity and
Performance
Large Scale Embedded Systems
• Highly complex hardware and firmware
requirements.
• Mission critical applications demanding high
performance
• May contain multiple processors/controllers
and co units/ hardware accelerators
• Complex embedded systems usually contain a
high performance RTOS
Major Applications of Embedded Systems
Home Automation and Automotive Industry:
Household Appliances: Security Systems: Air Anti-lock breaking
Consumer Electronics: Television, DVD players, conditioners, sprinklers, systems (ABS), Engine
Camcorders, Cameras etc. Washing machine, Fridge, Intruder detection Control, Ignition Systems,
Microwave Oven etc. alarms, Closed Circuit Automatic Navigation
Television Cameras Systems etc.

Telecom: Cellular
Computer Networking
Telephones, Telephone Computer Peripherals: Health Care: Different
Systems: Network
switches, Handset Printers, Scanners, Fax Kinds of Scanners, EEG,
Routers, Switches, Hubs,
Multimedia Applications machines etc. ECG Machines etc.
Firewalls etc.
etc.

Measurement & Banking & Retail:

Instrumentation: Digital Automatic Teller Card Readers: Barcode,
multi meters, Digital Machines (ATM) and Smart Card Readers,
CROs, Logic Analyzers PLC Currency counters, Point Hand held Devices etc.
systems etc. of Sales (POS)
Elements of an Embedded Systems
FPGA/ASIC/DSP/SoC
Microprocessor/controller Embedded
Firmware

Memory

Communication Interface

System
I/p Ports Core O/p Ports
(Sensors)
(Actuators)

Other supporting
Integrated Circuits &
subsystems

Embedded System

Real World
 General Purpose and Domain Specific
Processors
• Microprocessors
Embedded System
• Microcontrollers
• Digital Signal Processors

Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)

Core of the

Application Specific Integrated

Circuits (ASICs)

Commercial off the shelf

Components (COTS)
Microprocessor Vs
Microcontroller
Microprocessor
CPU for Computers
No RAM, ROM, I/O on CPU chip itself
Example ： Intel’s x86, Motorola’s 680x0

Many chips on mother board

Data Bus
CPU
General-
Serial
Purpose RAM ROM I/O Timer COM
Micro- Port
Port
processor

Address Bus
Microcontroller
A smaller computer
On-chip RAM, ROM, I/O ports...
Example ： Motorola’s 6811, Intel’s 8051, Zilog’s Z8 and PIC 16X

CPU RAM ROM

A single chip
Serial
I/O Timer COM
Port
Port
 Microprocessor Vs Microcontroller

Microprocessor Microcontroller
• Silicon chip representing a CPU, performs • Highly integrated chip contains CPU,
arithmetic and logical operations scratch pad RAM, on chip ROM/flash
• Dependent Unit memory, I/O ports
• General purpose in design and operation • Self contained unit
• Doesn’t contain I/O port • Application oriented and domain
• Limited power saving options compared to specific
microcontrollers • Contains multiple built in I/O ports
• Includes lot of power saving features
Microcontroller Architectures
Harvard Architecture
Von Neumann Architecture
 Harvard vs Von Neumann Architectures

Separate buses for instruction and data Single shared bus for instruction and data
fetching fetching
Easier to pipeline, so high performance Low performance Compared to Harvard
Architecture
Comparatively high cost Cheaper
No memory alignment problems Allows self modifying codes
Since data memory and program memory are Since data memory and program memory
stored physically in different locations, no are stored physically in same chip, chances
chances for accidental corruption of program for accidental corruption of program
memory memory
RISC Vs CISC Processors
RISC
• RISC represents Reduced Instruction Set Computer. In
Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture, the
instruction set of the computer is simplified to reduce the
execution time. RISC has a small set of instructions
CISC
• CISC represents Complex Instruction Set Computer. It
comprises a complex instruction set. It incorporates a variable-
length instruction format.
 Lesser no. of instructions Greater no. of Instructions
RISC vs Instruction Pipelining and Generally no instruction

CISC increased execution speed

Orthogonal Instruction Set(In
pipelining feature
Non Orthogonal Instruction

Processors computer engineering, an

orthogonal instruction set is an
instruction set architecture
Set

where all instruction types can

use all addressing modes.

Operations are performed on Operations are performed on

registers only, the only memory registers or memory
operations are load and store depending on the instruction
Large number of registers are Limited no. of general purpose
available registers
 Programmer needs to write Instructions are like macros
RISC vs more code to execute a in C language
task since the instructions
CISC are simpler ones Variable length Instructions
Processors
Single, Fixed length More silicon usage since
Instructions more additional decoder
logic is required to
implement the complex
Less Silicon usage and pin instruction decoding
count
Can be Harvard or Von-
Harvard Architecture Neumann Architecture
THANK YOU