INTRODUCTION TO EMBEDDED
SYSTEMS
M.A. HIMAYATH SHAMSHI
Assoc. Prof
Department of ECE
Introduction
We can broadly define an embedded system as a microcontroller-based, software-driven, reliable, real-
time control system, designed to perform a specific task.
It can be thought of as a computer hardware system having software embedded in it. An embedded
system can be either an independent system or a part of a large system.
Prerequisites to understand embedded systems
you should have a good understanding of the concepts of basic electronics such as circuits, logic gates,
etc.
System
A system is an arrangement in which all its unit assembled to work together according to a set of
rules. It can also be defined as a way of working, organizing or doing one or many tasks according
to a fixed plan.
For example, a watch is a time displaying system. Its components follow a set of rules to show time. If
one of its parts fails, the watch will stop working. So we can say, in a system, all its subcomponents
depend on each other.
Embedded System
As its name suggests, Embedded means something that is attached to another thing.
An embedded system can be thought of as a computer hardware system having software embedded in
it.
An embedded system can be an independent system or it can be a part of a large system.
An embedded system is a microcontroller or microprocessor based system which is designed to
perform a specific task.
Example : a fire alarm is an embedded system; it will sense only smoke.
An embedded system has three components −
It has hardware.
It has application software.
It has Real Time Operating system (RTOS) that supervises the application software and provide
mechanism to let the processor run a process as per scheduling by following a plan to control the
latencies. RTOS defines the way the system works.
It sets the rules during the execution of application program. A small scale embedded system may not
have RTOS.
So we can define an embedded system as a Microcontroller based, software driven, reliable, real-time
control system.
Characteristics of an Embedded System
Single-functioned
Tightly constrained
Reactive and Real time
Microprocessors based
Memory
Connected
HW-SW systems
Advantages
Easily Customizable
Low power consumption
Low cost
Enhanced performance
Disadvantages
High development effort
Larger time to market
Basic Structure of an Embedded System
Processor is the heart of an embedded system.
It is the basic unit that takes inputs and produces an output after processing the data.
For an embedded system designer, it is necessary to have the knowledge of both microprocessors and
microcontrollers.
Processors in a System
A processor has two essential units
Program Flow Control Unit (CU)
Execution Unit (EU)
The CU includes a fetch unit for fetching instructions from the memory. The EU has circuits that
implement the instructions pertaining to data transfer operation and data conversion from one form to
another.
The EU includes the Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU) and also the circuits that execute
instructions for a program control task such as interrupt, or jump to another set of instructions.
A processor runs the cycles of fetch and executes the instructions in the same sequence as they are
fetched from memory.
Types of Processors
Processors can be of the following categories −
General Purpose Processor (GPP)
Microprocessor
Microcontroller
Embedded Processor
Digital Signal Processor
Media Processor
Application Specific System Processor (ASSP)
Application Specific Instruction Processors (ASIPs)
GPP core(s) or ASIP core(s) on either an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a Very
Large Scale Integration (VLSI) circuit.
Microprocessor vs Microcontroller
Microprocessor Microcontroller
Microprocessors are multitasking in nature. Can Single task oriented. For example, a washing machine is
perform multiple tasks at a time. For example, on designed for washing clothes only.
computer we can play music while writing text in
text editor.
RAM, ROM, I/O Ports, and Timers can be added RAM, ROM, I/O Ports, and Timers cannot be added
externally and can vary in numbers. externally. These components are to be embedded
together on a chip and are fixed in numbers.
Designers can decide the number of memory or Fixed number for memory or I/O makes a
I/O ports needed. microcontroller ideal for a limited but specific task.
External support of external memory and I/O Microcontrollers are lightweight and cheaper than a
ports makes a microprocessor-based system microprocessor.
heavier and costlier.
External devices require more space and their A microcontroller-based system consumes less power
power consumption is higher. and takes less space.
