EMBEDDED
NETWORKING
Prepared by,
V. Akshaya AP/ECE
PSNCET
Embedded Networking
• Embedded networking refers to the ability of embedded systems—
like microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators—to communicate with
each other or with external systems, enabling data exchange and
coordination.
• These systems are commonly found in smart devices, industrial
machinery, medical equipment, and automobiles.
• Embedded networking allows these devices to share information,
work together in real time, and even connect to the internet, forming
the foundation of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Embedded systems are often part of larger systems, so networking
helps them:
• Exchange data (e.g., a temperature sensor sends data to a display)
• Control remotely (e.g., open your smart lock from your phone)
• Work as a team (e.g., robots on a factory floor coordinating
movements)
• Enable IoT (Internet of Things) applications
Primary types of embedded networking
• There are two primary types of embedded networking:
• wired
• wireless
A. Wired Communication
• Uses physical cables.
• Reliable and fast, but less flexible.
Protocol Description Use
UART (Serial) Simple one-to-one communication Debugging, GPS
SPI Fast, full-duplex SD cards, displays
I2C Multi-device, slower Sensors
CAN Robust, multi-master Automotive ECUs
Ethernet High-speed IP communication Industrial devices
B. Wireless Communication
• No cables → useful for mobility, remote use.
• Needs power efficiency and security.
Protocol Range Use
Bluetooth ~10 m Wearables, headsets
Wi-Fi ~100 m Smart home, IoT
Zigbee ~100 m Home automation (low power)
LoRa Several km Smart agriculture
Cellular (4G/5G) Global GPS trackers, remote monitoring
Embedded Networking : The OSI Model
• The OSI Model has 7 layers:
1. Application
2. Presentation
3. Session
4. Transport
5. Network
6. Data Link
7. Physical
1. Application Layer
• Top-most layer of the OSI model.
• Data transmissions frequently originate in the application layer of the
origin device and terminate in the application layer of the target
device.
• This layer deals with the identification of services and communication
partners, user authentication, and data syntax.
• Examples: HTTP, Telnet, FTP.
2. Presentation Layer
• The presentation layer is a software layer that formats and encrypts
data that will be sent across a network, ensuring compatibility
between the transmitting device and the receiving device.
• Examples: ASCII, JPEG, MPEG.
3. Session Layer
• For data transfer to occur between applications on separate devices,
a session must be created.
• The purpose of the session layer is to manage, synchronize, and
terminate connectivity between applications, ensuring coordinated
data exchange while minimizing packet loss.
• The session layer can provide for full-duplex, half-duplex, or simplex
communications.
4. Transport Layer
• In the OSI model, the transport layer receives messages from the data
layer and converts it into smaller units that can be efficiently handled
by the network layer.
• Examples: TCP, UDP for reliable/unreliable delivery.
5. Network Layer
• The network layer provides the features and functions that transfer
data sequences from the host device to a destination device.
• Along with routing network traffic and reporting delivery errors, the
network layer divides outgoing messages into packets and assembles
incoming packets into messages.
• Network layer devices use protocols such as IP, ICMP, and IPX.
6. Data Link Layer
• Data packets are encoded and decoded into bits in the data link layer,
which may be divided into two sub-layers: media access control
(MAC) and logical link control (LLC).
• Examples: IEEE 802.3, PPP.
7. Physical Layer
• The physical layer defines the electrical and physical requirements for
networked devices with control over the transmission and reception
of unstructured raw data over the network.
• The physical data also manages data encoding and the conversion of
digital bits into electrical signals.
• Devices that operate at the physical layer include network interface
cards (NICs), repeaters, and hubs.
Types of Embedded Networking
Three Different Types of Embedded Networking
1. Embedded Networking with CAN Bus
2. Embedded Networking with I2C Bus
3. Embedded Networking with Ethernet
1. Embedded Networking with CAN Bus
CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust • Advantages:
communication protocol designed primarily for • High reliability in noisy environments
automotive and industrial applications. It allows • Supports real-time communication
multiple microcontrollers or devices to
• Efficient for short command/message
communicate with each other without needing a
exchanges
host computer.
• Applications:
• Type: Wired, Serial Communication
• Automotive ECUs (Electronic Control Units)
• Structure: Two-wire, half-duplex system
• Industrial machinery
• Layers involved (OSI): Physical Layer and Data Link
• Medical equipment
Layer
2. Embedded Networking with I2C Bus
I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is a simple, low- simplified Network Layer features
speed serial communication protocol used for • Features:
short-distance, intra-board data exchange
• Clock stretching
between integrated circuits.
• Bus arbitration
• Type: Wired, Two-wire, half-duplex • Simple hardware connections
• Structure: Master-slave or multi-master • Applications:
• Distance limitation: Short range (typically < 1 • Communication between microcontroller and
sensors
meter)
• EEPROM, ADC, RTC modules
• Addressing: 7-bit or 10-bit device addressing
• Embedded systems with space/pin constraints
• Layers involved (OSI): Physical, Data Link, and
3. Embedded Networking with Ethernet
Ethernet is a widely used networking • Features:
technology that supports high-speed • High data throughput
communication and internet access for • Scalable to LAN/internet communication
embedded systems. • Real-time capability with protocols like
EtherCAT
• Type: Wired, High-speed
• Applications:
• Structure: Uses TCP/IP stack
• IoT devices with cloud access
• Standards: IEEE 802.3, IPv4/IPv6 • Industrial automation (PLCs, SCADA)
• OSI Layers involved: Physical, Data Link, • Smart energy systems
Network, Transport, and Application