Embedded Systems

1. Embedded systems -
Introduction
• The computers we are most familiar with are those that are in plain
view. For example laptops, desktops, tablets and so on.
• They have an input device such as a keyboard or touch screen and
one or more outputs such as screen and speaker.
• But there is another class of computer, called the embedded
computer. These are often overlooked, as they are part of larger
pieces of equipment or systems.
• This section describes the embedded computer.
2. What is an embedded
system?
• An embedded system is a dedicated computer system that performs one or
more specific functions within a larger piece of equipment.
• For example a DVD player will have an embedded computer to handle all of
the hardware and input/output. You don't need to install an entire
operating system to get your DVDs to play.
• Embedded computers control a system, but often require additional
hardware.
• For example, it may take in inputs from specialised sensors. The computer
processes those inputs, and then produces an output that requires some
physical action, such as spinning up or ejecting a DVD.
• These physical actions are carried out by actuators.
2. What is an embedded
system? – Cont…
• Once the actuators have carried out their task, they send data back to
the embedded computer, which decides what to do next. This is
called 'negative feedback'.
• Embedded computers are often built as a single unit, with everything
mounted on a printed circuit board. RAM, ROM, CPU, Clock and
connectors are all pre-installed.
3. Microcontroller
• We have mentioned that a standard CPU chip can be used in an embedded system
- that is true. But that chip will definitely need some input-output interfaces to be
able to deal with the real world.
• And so the idea of a microcontroller with an in-built input-output interface came
about.
• An embedded system needs to have the following features
1. Handle a set of inputs
2. Provide a set of outputs
3. Be programmable All of these requirement
4. Low power consumption point to one thing - it would
be best if all of these
5. Be cheap features were available as a
6. Be reliable single chip.

7. Be compact This single chip is called a microcontrolle

3. Microcontroller – Cont…
• As you can see, a microcontroller is different to a standard
microprocessor in that it has built-in input\outputs along with ROM to
store permanent code.
• The chip usually comes with its own 'design kit' that provides the
means to program it. This often includes support of a high level
language such as 'C'.
 4. Examples of embedded
systems
At home At work
Outdoors

• Microwave Oven • Air conditioning system • Traffic light systems

• Washing machine • Lifts • On-board
• Satellite set-top box • Automatic doors computers in cars
• Television • Automated factory • Speed cameras
• Central heating machinery • Active roadside
• Robots displays
• Electronic toys and
action figures • Advertising systems

Embedded computer systems are everywhere in our daily lives as they are built into very familiar equipment and systems.
 5. Input - Sensors
• A sensor is a device designed to measure some physical quantity in its
environment. An example might be a heat sensor that measures the
temperature in a room or a pressure sensitive mat that detects
someone walking over it.
Once a reading or measurement has been recorded, the
sensor sends the result to a computer.
It might do this immediately, or it might store up readings
for a while and send them in a batch.
This data is an ‘input’ for the embedded computer. To the
A temperature sensor is inside sensor, it is an 'output'.
every fridge as it has to be
controlled. The temperature reading
may also be output via a digital
display (like the one in the photo)
but sometimes it may just feed the
control system without a display.
5. Input – Sensors – Cont…
• There are many different types of sensors. Below is a table
showing you a few of the most common ones:
6. ADC
• The measurements taken by most sensors are analogue. They can take any value
within its limits. But computers only understand digital data, which has discrete
values. So a converter is needed between the sensor and the computer. Since it
converts analogue to digital, this is called an analogue-to-digital converter,
or ADC.
• The ADC produces digital translations of the sensor's analogue data. This digital
data can then be read and used by the embedded computer.
• The ADC chip is often built into the single-board embedded computer.
7. Output - Actuator

• A typical control system with an output actuator is shown below

• An actuator is often part of a computer control system.
• The actuator is a mechanical device or motor which carries out the
action or decision made by the embedded computer.
• For example the lens of this digital camera moves in and out
according to how much zoom is wanted.

output actuator
7. Output – Actuator cont…
• This movement is controlled by an 'actuator'. In this case it is a tiny electric
motor that is controlled by a computer control system within the camera.
• Once the actuators have carried out their task, they send data back to the
embedded computer, which decides what to do next. This is called 'negative
feedback'.
• An example of negative feedback is when the actuators of a DVD player may
recognise that something is blocking the ejection tray, and feed that
information back to the computer. The computer halts or reverses the ejection.
• Another example is when the actuators of a printer may recognise that there is
no paper in the feeder tray, and it feeds that information back to the
embedded computer so that the computer stops the printer from continuing to
print
 8. Advantages and
disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
• Embedded computers are small. This means less space is
needed inside the equipment. This in turn means that a • If the embedded computer goes wrong then the
washing machine or microwave can be made smaller. equipment itself will very likely stop working.
• An embedded computer is built on a single printed circuit • They need specialist skills to design them as they are so
board. It is much easier to replace it if it breaks down. specific to their task.
• They use less power than a general purpose computer. The • If the embedded computer fails you might have to go to a
running costs of the machine or device is reduced. Less power specialist supplier to purchase a replacement or organise
also means they run cooler so no need for cooling fans. a repair.
• More reliable and robust than a general purpose computer as • General purpose computers such as a laptop can handle a
they have no moving parts and are located on a single circuit wide range of tasks by simply changing the program
board. This means they are less likely to stop working. currently running - an embedded systems is usually
• They are cheaper to produce than a general purpose computer. dedicated to doing one thing.
So the overall cost of the equipment in which it is embedded is
reduced.
• An embedded computer is usually designed with one task in
mind - washing machine control for example. This means its
software can be made to be very efficient and runs as soon as
the equipment is switched on.

There are both pros and cons to using an embedded system for a task, rather than a general-purpose computer such as a PC.