Embedded Systems Software Design

Flashcards for Embedded Systems Software Design

What is bare metal programming?

A type of software development where applications interact directly with the system’s hardware, without an OS.

Name the common components found in a typical embedded system

OS, Drivers, Hardware

Name the common components found in a bare metal system.

HWlibs, Hardware

What is Firmware?

Low level software that directly interfaces with the hardware components.

What is an RTOS?

Real Time Operating System, designed to provide minimal services necessary for running applications.

What is Middleware?

A layer of software that provides additional services needed by application software, beyond what the OS offers.

What is the highest level of the embedded software hierarchy?

Application software, designed to accomplish specific tasks.

List the stages of interaction between embedded software.

Initialization, Booting of OS, Middleware, Run time, Data flow, Shutdown

Describe the sequential or superloop model.

Organizing tasks into a continuous loop; it is simple and easy to implement but has poor scalability for complex systems.

Give examples that the sequential or superloop model is best suited for.

Simple sensors, LED blinkers and patterns, basic temperature controllers

Describe the event driven model.

Organizes system behavior around the occurrence of external or internal events; it makes efficient use of the processor and is more responsive compared to the superloop.

Name some systems that the event driven model is best suited for.

Touch interfaces, Smart remote controlled systems, Sensor triggered systems

Describe the interrupt based model.

Uses hardware or software interrupts to respond immediately; enables fast response to time-critical events, but overuse can lead to priority inversion or missed events.

Give examples of where the interrupt based model would be utilized.

Motor control, Real time data acquisition, Communication protocol

Describe the RTOS based model.

Introduces an operating system layer which schedules tasks and manages time; facilitates multitasking and modular design but requires a deeper understanding of RTOS concepts.

Where would the RTOS based model be utilized?

Drone technologies, Automotive Engine control, Smart medical devices

What are memory constraints in embedded systems?

Limited RAM and ROM, requiring static or dynamic allocation and optimization techniques.

Name some timing considerations for embedded software.

Deterministic behavior, Software delay, Hardware timer, Task scheduling.

What are power considerations in embedded systems?

Power budget and energy constraints, usage of low power operating modes, peripheral power management.

List some tools for designing embedded software.

Editor, Compiler, Assembler, Debugger, Linker, Libraries, Simulator