Chapter 3
Embedded System, Control system & Monitoring system
Embedded System (using washing machine as example)
o Microprocessor within a larger system. E.g. embedded system
in washing machine only controls the programs for the
washing cycle.
- Purpose of RAM
o Store the choices the user has entered
- Purpose of ROM
o Store the start-up instructions
Characteristics / Why the system of [XXX] is a embedded
system? [2]
o The system is built into the [XXX]
o The system one performs one task
o The system is not easily changed by the [XXX] owner
Combination of hardware and software designed for a
specific function
Why the system in the refrigerator is a control system and not a
monitoring system? [2]
o The system uses feedback
o The system causes the temperature to change
Importance of feedback in a control system [2]
o To ensure the system operates with the given criteria
o …by enabling system output to affect subsequent system
input
o …thus allowing conditions to be automatically adjusted
Principle Operation of Microphone
The microphone has a diaphragm
The incoming sound waves cause vibrations of the diaphragm
…causing a coil to move past a magnet
An electrical signal is produced
RAM & ROM
Both examples of primary memory
One item that is stored in RAM is currently running software
One item that is stored in ROM is the start-up instructions
RAM Can be either static or dynamic (SRAM & DRAM)
o SRAM uses transistors arranged as flip-flops
Advantages:
Faster access time
No refresh needed
Lower power in active use
Used on the CPU for improvement of CPU cache
speed
o DRAM uses transistors and capacitors
Advantages:
Cheaper per bit
Higher storage density
Difference between ROM(PROM), EPROM & EEPROM
PROM can be set once, EPROM and EEPROM can be overwritten
multiple times
EPROM needs to be removed from device, EEPROM can be erased
in situ
EPROM can be erased using UV light, EEPROM can be erased
using voltage
EPROM must be entirely erased before rewriting, EEPORM does
not have to be entirely erased before rewriting
Benefits of ROM / EEPROM using in an embedded system
EEPROM
No additional equipment is needed to change, enables firmware
updates by non-technical users
Can be erased and reprogrammed several times, so firmware can
be updated, can erase a particular byte or the whole EEPROM
Possible to reprogram, without removing it from the device
ROM
To store data that does not change
Data must be stored even when device is without power
To store boot up instructions
What does ROM even stored?
BIOS
Start-up instruction
Principal Operations of a magnetic hard disk
The hard disk has (one or more) platter
Each surface of the platter is capable of being magnetized
The platters are mounted on a spindle
The entire mechanism is contained inside a sealed box
The disks are rotated at high speed
Each surface of the disk has a read/write head mounted on an
arm
Electronic circuits control the movement of the arm
The surface of the platter is divided into circles and sectors
One track in one sector is the basic unit of storage called a block
The data is encoded as a magnetic pattern for each block
When writing to disk, a variation in the current in the head
produces a variation in magnetic field on the disk
When reading from disk, a variation in magnetic field produces a
variation in current through the head.
CPU and cache memory
Cache is fast access memory
Cache stores frequently used instructions
More cache means more instructions
Less swapping between RAM and cache
Prevents the CPU idling while waiting for data
Sensor
Sound sensor
o To detect if someone is speaking so that it can use AI to
decipher the speech and whether the robot is required to
stop
Infra-red sensor
o To detect if there is an obstacle in the way
Pressure sensor
o To detect if a table or other obstacle has been hit
HDD vs SSD (Magnetic Storage V.S. Solid State Storage)
HDD > SSD:
o Lower cost per GB, store more files
o Better for large, continuous recording, magnetic drives
handle high-capacity, long-duration video storage well
SSD > HDD:
o Much faster read & write
o More reliable for bumps
o Lower power, quieter, less heat
o Smaller / lighter / can be carry around
Screen
Resistive touchscreen
o Two layers
o When the user touches the screen, the layers touch and a
circuit is completed
Capacitive touchscreen
o Several layers
o When the top layer is touched there is a change in the
electric current.
o A microprocessor identifies the coordinates of the touch
3D Printer
A 3D model (CAD file) is created and saved (often as STL/OBJ), then sliced into many
thin layers by software to generate instructions (e.g., G-code).
The printer heats and feeds the material (commonly plastic filament/resin/powder) and
positions the print head/laser/platform using stepper motors.
It deposits or solidifies material in the pattern of the first layer on the build plate (e.g.,
extrudes melted plastic, cures resin with UV, or fuses powder with a laser).
The build platform moves (or the head moves up) by one layer height, and the printer
repeats the process to form successive layers until the object is complete.
The object is cooled/removed, and any supports are taken off and post-processing may
be done (cleaning, sanding, curing).
Buffer
How the laser printer makes use of a buffer? [4]
o The print instructions and data are sent by the laptop to a
buffer
o The data is transferred from the buffer to the printer
o …allowing user to continue using the laptop
o …instead of waiting for relatively slower printer
o When the buffer is empty an interrupt is sent to the laptop
o …requesting more data
How the video doorbell makes use of a buffer? [4]
o Captured video is transmitted to buffer
o … video is transmitted from buffer to smartphone
o Store recent data in a buffer for the user to rewind
o … instead of storing everything in secondary storage
o Store readings from motion sensor
o … until the microprocessor can process them
o Store video from digital camera … before moving it to
secondary storage
How a buffer is used when data is transmitted between the
computer and the VR headset? [3]
o The buffer is used as a temporary store for data going to
the headset
o Data is transferred into the buffer by the computer
o Data is retrieved from the buffer by the headset
o When the buffer is empty/full an interrupt is sent to the
computer requesting more data/stopping further data being
sent
o When the headset has enough data/needs more data, an
interrupt is sent by the headset to the computer to stop
sending data from buffer
LOGIC GATE
Two types of logic gate that can be used to create solid state
devices – NAND, NOR
Number of transistors contained in each cell – 2
Gate that can retain electrons without power – floating
Type of gate that allows or stops current from passing through –
control
VR HEADSET
A headset can have one or two (LCD) displays/screens/lenses
that output the image to the user. The headset has speakers that
output surround sound to give a realistic experience.
The user's head movements are detected using a sensor.
This sensor is a gyroscope/accelerometer. The data is transmitted
to a microprocessor that analyses the data to identify the
direction/speed of movement. Some headsets use digital
cameras that record the user's eye movements for analysis.