Embedded systems

Definition
 An embedded system is an electronic/electro-mechanical system designed to perform a
specific function and is combination of both hardware and firmware (software).
 The program instructions written for embedded systems are referred to as firmware, and
are stored in Read-Only-Memory or Flash memory.
 Every ES is unique, and the hardware as well as software is highly specialized to the
application domain.
 Embedded systems are designed to do some specific task, rather than be a general
purpose computer for multiple tasks.
 One of its most important characteristics of these systems is, it gives the o/p within the
time limits.
 It is a controller programmed by a real-time operating system (RTOS) with a dedicated
function within an electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints.
 Embedded systems support to make the work more perfect and convenient.
 So, we frequently use embedded systems in simple and complex devices too.
Embedded system
Why do we need Embedded Systems?
 As the embedded systems are dedicated to do specific tasks, design engineers can optimize them to
scale the dimensions and price of the merchandise.
 By increasing reliability and performance, some systems are mass-produced; this largely helps the
economic area. We are technology-focused by these embedded systems.

How an Embedded System Works?

 Embedded systems are managed by microcontrollers or digital signal processors (DSP),
application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and circuit
arrays.
 These processing systems are integrated with components dedicated to handling electric or
mechanical interfacing.
 Embedded systems connect with surface of world through peripherals, linking input and output
devices.
Purpose of Embedded System
 Data Collection/Storage/Representation
 Data communication
 Data signal processing
 Monitoring
 Control
 Application specific user interface
 Application of Embedded system

 The applications of embedded systems mainly involve in our real life for several devices
like microwave, calculators, TV remote control, home security and neighborhood traffic
control systems, etc.
Embedded System Block Diagram
 Embedded System Hardware

 An embedded system uses a hardware platform to perform the operation.

Hardware of the embedded system is assembled with a
microprocessor/microcontroller.
 It has the elements such as input/output interfaces, memory, user interface and the
display unit.
 Generally, an embedded system comprises of the following
 Power Supply
 Memory
 Processor
 Timers
 Output/Output circuits
 Serial communication ports
 SASC (System application specific circuits)
 Embedded System Software

 The software of an embedded system is written to execute a particular function. It

is normally written in a high-level setup and then compiled down to offer code
that can be stuck within a non-volatile memory in the hardware.
 An embedded system software is intended to keep in view of the following three
limits

 Convenience of system memory

 Convenience of processor’s speed
 When the embedded system runs constantly, there is a necessity to
limit power dissipation for actions like run, stop and wake up.
 Characteristics of Embedded System
 Generally, an embedded system executes a particular operation and does the similar continually.
For instance: A pager is constantly functioning as a pager.
 All the computing systems have limitations on design metrics, but those can be especially tight.
Design metric is a measure of an execution features like size, power, cost and also performance.
 It must perform fast enough and consume less power to increase battery life.
 Several embedded systems should constantly react to changes in the system and also calculate
particular results in real time without any delay. For instance, a car cruise controller; it
continuously displays and responds to speed & brake sensors. It must calculate acceleration/de-
accelerations frequently in a limited time; a delayed computation can consequence in letdown to
control the car.
 It must be based on a microcontroller or microprocessor based. It must require a memory, as its
software generally inserts in ROM. It does not require any secondary memories in the PC.
 It must need connected peripherals to attach input & output devices.
 An Embedded system is inbuilt with hardware and software where the hardware is used for
security and performance and Software is used for more flexibility and features.
 Characteristics of Embedded System

1. Application and Domain Specific

 Embedded Systems do a very specific task; they can’t be used for any other
purpose. Both hardware & software in an embedded system are optimized for the
specific task.
 For example, we can’t replace the embedded control unit of microwave oven with
air-conditioners embedded control unit.

2. Reliability
 Embedded Systems have to work for thousands of hours without break. This calls
for very reliable hardware and software.
 For ex., if the embedded system comes to a halt state due to hardware error, the
system should reset itself without any human intervention.
 Reliability is a measure of how much percentage we can rely upon the proper
functioning of the system without failures.
3. Reactive
 Embedded systems are in constant interaction with the real world through sensors and
user-defined input devices.
 Any changes happening in the Real world (called as an Event) are captured by the
sensors/input devices and the control algorithm reacts in a designed manner to bring the
controlled output variables to the desired level.
 Hence the Embedded systems are referred as Reactive systems, as they produce changes
in output in response to the changes in the input.
4. Real-Time Performance
 Real Time System operation means the timing behavior of the system should be
deterministic, meaning that the system should respond to requests in a known amount of
time.
 In real-time embedded systems, a specific job has to be completed within a specific time.
They have time constrains and they have to work against some deadlines. (Examples of
Real Time Systems – Missiles, flight control systems, nuclear plane safety system)
 A Real Time System should not miss any deadlines for tasks (or) operations. For
example, in a nuclear plant safety system, missing a deadline may cause loss of life /
damage to property. Hence in hard real-time embedded systems which are subject to very
strict deadlines for performing specific tasks, the timing analysis is of great importance.
5. Low Power consumption
 Most of the Embedded Systems operate through a battery. To reduce the battery
drain and to avoid frequent recharging of the battery, the power consumption has
to be very low.
 Hardware designers must address this issue – for example, by reducing the no. of
components, by designing the processor to revert to low-power mode when there
is no operation to perform.

6. Operates in harsh environments

 Some of the embedded systems are to be operated in harsh environment
conditions like high temperature zone, areas subject to vibrations and shock etc.
Systems placed in such areas should be capable to withstand all these adverse
operating conditions.
 Classification of Embedded System

 The classification of embedded system is based on following criteria:

 Based on generation
 Based on complexity
 Based on functionality & performance requirements
 Classification based on generation
1. First generation (1G):
 Built around 8-bit microprocessors like 8085, Z80.
 Simple in hardware circuit with firmware developed in Assembly code.
 Examples: Digital telephone keypads, stepper motor control units
2. Second generation (2G):
 Built around 16-bit μp and 8-bit μc.
 They are more complex & powerful than 1G μp & μc.
 Examples: Data Acquisition system (DAS),
 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems (SCADA)
3. Third generation (3G):
 Built around 32-bit μp & 16-bit μc.
 A new concept of application and domain specific processors / controllers like Digital
Signal Processors(DSPs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits(ASICs).
 Examples: Robotics, Media, Industrial and process control, networking, etc.
4. Fourth generation(4G):
 Built around 64-bit μp & 32-bit μc.
 The concept of System on Chips (SoC), reconfigurable processors, multi-core processors
 High performance, tight integration, miniaturization, and very powerful.
 Examples: Smart Phones, Mobile Internet Devices
 Classification based on Complexity
1. Small-scale:
 Simple applications where the performance requirements are not time-critical.
 Built around low performance and low cost 8 or 16 bit μp/μc.
 Example: an electronic toy

2. Medium-scale:
 Slightly complex in hardware and firmware requirement.
 Built around medium performance and low cost 16 or 32 bit μp/μc.
 Usually contain embedded operating system (RTOS) for functioning
 Examples: Industrial applications, Mornitoring & Control of Manufacturing Equipment

3. Large-scale / complex:
 Highly complex hardware & firmware.
 Built around 32 or 64 bit RISC μp/μc (or) PLDs (or) SoC (or) multi-core processors.
 Response is time-critical.
 Examples: Mission critical applications like Aircraft operating and control
Systems, Electric power systems.
 Classification based on functionality and performance
requirements
[Link] alone embedded systems
 As the name implies, stand-alone systems work in stand-alone mode.
 They take inputs, process them and produce outputs.
 The inputs can be electrical signals from transducers / commands from human being such
as pressing of a button. The outputs can be electrical signals to drive another system, an
LED display / LCD display/DC motors.
 Many ES used in consumer electronics, automobiles, process control in manufacturing
units fall into this category.
 Examples: Digital Camera, Air Conditioner, Refrigerator, Microwave oven, DVD
player
 Classification based on functionality and performance
requirements
[Link] time systems
 Embedded systems in which some specific task has to be done in a specified period are
called Real-Time systems.
 They have time constrains and they have to work against some deadlines. Meeting the
deadlines is the most important requirement of Real-Time system.
 A Real Time System should not miss any deadlines for tasks (or) operations. For
example, in a nuclear plant safety system, missing a deadline may cause loss of life
/damage to property. Hence in hard real-time embedded systems which are subject to very
strict deadlines for performing specific tasks, the timing analysis is of great importance.
 Ex: Missile embedded with a tracking system, flight control systems, nuclear plant safety
system, and navigation system
 Classification based on functionality and performance
requirements
3. Networked Information appliances
 Embedded systems that are provided with network interfaces and accessed by networks
such as Local Area Network (LAN) or Internet are called as Networked Information
appliances.
 Such embedded systems are connected to a network, typically a network running TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol) protocol suite.
 They run the complete TCP/IP protocol stack and can communicate with other nodes on
the network.
Examples:
 A networked process control system consists of a no. of embedded systems
connected as a LAN. Each embedded system can send real-time data to a central
location from where the entire process control system can be monitored.
 A web camera which is connected to internet camera can send pictures in real-time
to any computer connected to internet. In such case, the web camera has to run the
HTTP server software in addition to the TCP/IP protocol stack.
 IoT applications – the door lock of your home can be controlled from your desktop
over the internet.
 Classification based on functionality and performance
requirements
4. Mobile devices
 Mobile devices such as mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants(PDA), smart phones
etc. are a special category of embedded systems.
 Mobile devices are capable of supporting high data rate services in addition to the voice
services. Accessing internet services such as e-mail, World Wide Web and so on can be
done while a person is on the move. They are capable of handling multimedia
applications.
 The limitation of mobile devices – small size, lack of good user interfaces such as full-
fledged keyboard and display, memory constrains, battery life time etc.