Embedded System

Embedded System

• A combination of hardware and software designed to perform a specific function.

• Can work independently or be part of a larger system.

• Fire alarm, microwave oven, digital camera, medical devices, automotive controllers.

1960s

First used in the Apollo Guidance System.

1971

First microcontroller by Texas Instruments.

2013

Embedded market reached $140B.

Characteristics of Embedded System

• Low power, low cost, high reliability.

• Task-specific, time-sensitive, and minimal user interface.

Embedded system terminologies

•Reliability

•Fault-Tolerance

•Real-Time

•Flexibility

•Portability

Microcontroller

•is a single-chip very large-scale integration (VLSI) unit which is also called microcomputer.

•contains all the memory and I/O interfaces needed, whereas a general-purpose microprocessor needs additional chips to offered by these necessary functions.

Microprocessor

•is a single chip semiconductor device.

•its CPU contains a program counter, an ALU a stack pointer, working register, a clock timing circuit.

•It also includes ROM and RAM, memory decoder, and many serial and parallel ports.

Embedded Systems With an Operating System

Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)/General-Purpose Embedded OS

▪ Industrial controllers, smart appliances, automotive ECUs (car)

▪ Smart home hubs, routers, drones, medical devices

▪ Raspberry Pi-based systems running Linux

Embedded Systems Without an OS

Small microcontroller systems (like Arduino)

▪ Toy electronics, thermostats, simple sensors

▪ Low-power or cost-sensitive devices

Microprocessor

It uses functional blocks like register, ALU, timing, and control units.
In Microprocessor, bit handling instruction is less, One or two types only.

Offers rapid movements of code and data between external memory and microprocessor.

Helps you to design general purpose digital computers system.

It allows you to do multitasking at a time.

In Microprocessor system, you can decide the number of memory or I/O ports needed.

Offers support for external memory and I/O ports, which makes it heavier and costlier system.

External devices need more space, and their power consumption is quite higher.

Microcontroller

It uses functional blocks of microprocessors like RAM, timer, parallels I/O, ADC, and DAC.

Microcontroller offers many kinds of bit handling instruction.
Offers rapid movements of code and data in the microcontroller.
Helps you to design application-specific dedicated systems.
It is a single task oriented system.
In Microcontroller system, the fixed number for memory or I/O makes a microcontroller ideal to complete the specific task.
This type of system is lightweight and cheaper compares to the microprocessor.
This type of system consumes less amount of space, and power consumption is also very low.

Robotic Science

Medical

• Pacemakers – regulate heartbeats using embedded circuits

• Infusion pumps – control medication dosage accurately

• MRI/CT scanners – use embedded systems for imaging and data processing

Automotive

• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) – real-time control system

• Engine Control Unit (ECU) – monitors and adjusts engine performance

• Airbag deployment systems – react within milliseconds using sensors

Networking

• Routers – manage data packets using embedded processors

• Network switches – route traffic in LANs

• IoT gateways – connect smart devices to the internet

Automobiles

• Cruise control systems – maintain speed using sensors

• Parking assistance systems – use ultrasonic sensors and embedded software

• Dashboard displays – digital meters with microcontrollers

Industrial Control

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) – automate factory machines

• CNC machines – control cutting and milling operations

• Industrial robots – perform repetitive tasks like welding, packing, sorting

Classification of Embedded Systems

1. Stand-alone Embedded Systems

   2.Real-time Embedded System

   3.Networked Information Appliances

   4.Mobile Devices

Stand-alone Embedded Systems

•Description: •Operate independently without needing external devices.

•Features: •Self-contained hardware and software.

•Often designed for specific tasks.

•Examples: •Microwave ovens, washing machines, and digital cameras.

Real-time Embedded Systems

Description: ◦ Must respond to inputs or events within a strict timing constraint.

Types: ◦ Hard Real-Time Systems: Critical timing requirements; failure to meet deadlines can lead to catastrophic results (e.g., anti-lock braking systems in cars).

◦ Soft Real-Time Systems: Less stringent timing; occasional delays are acceptable (e.g., video streaming applications).

Networked Information Appliances

Description: ◦ Embedded systems that connect to networks to share information or services. Features: ◦ Capable of remote access and data exchange.

◦Often part of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Examples: ◦ Smart refrigerators, connected thermostats, and home security systems.

Mobile Devices

Description: ◦ Portable embedded systems designed for mobility and user interaction.

Features: ◦ Battery-powered, often equipped with sensors and wireless communication capabilities. ◦ Support a variety of applications.

Examples: ◦ Smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices like smartwatches.

C

Description: ◦ The most widely used language for embedded systems.

Features: ◦ Provides low-level access to hardware. ◦ Efficient in terms of memory and processing power.

Use Cases: ◦ Microcontroller programming, real-time operating systems.

C++

Description: ◦ An extension of C that supports object-oriented programming.

Features: ◦Offers better organization and reusability of code.

Use Cases: ◦ Complex embedded systems, applications requiring advanced data structures.

Assembly Language

Description: ◦ Low-level programming language specific to a computer architecture.

Features: ◦ Provides direct control over hardware and execution speed.

Use Cases: ◦ Performance-critical sections of code, bootloaders.

Python

Description: ◦ High-level language gaining popularity in embedded systems.

Features: ◦ Easy to write and read; good for rapid prototyping.

Use Cases: ◦ Used in boards like Raspberry Pi, for scripting and automation tasks.

Rust

Description: ◦ A systems programming language focused on safety and concurrency.

Features: ◦ Memory safety without garbage collection; suitable for low-level programming.

Use Cases: ◦ High-performance applications, safety-critical systems.

Ada

Description: ◦ A structured, statically typed language designed for safety and reliability.

Features: ◦ Strong typing and modularity; supports real-time systems.

Use Cases: ◦ Aerospace and defense applications.

Java

Description: ◦High-level language used in some embedded systems.

Features: ◦Platform-independent due to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

Use Cases: ◦ Embedded systems with higher processing power, like smart TVs.

1. Serial Communication

UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter)

◦ Simple, point-to-point communication.

◦ Commonly used for debugging and low-speed data transmission.

USART (Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous ReceiverTransmitter)

◦ Supports both synchronous and asynchronous communication.

2. Parallel Communication

GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output)

◦Used for simple on/off signals to control devices or read sensor inputs.

Parallel Data Ports

◦Allows multiple bits of data to be transmitted simultaneously.

3. I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit)

Description ◦A multi-master, multi-slave, packet-switched protocol.

Features ◦Uses only two wires (SDA and SCL) for communication.

◦Suitable for connecting multiple devices on the same bus.

4. SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface)

Description

◦ A synchronous protocol used for high-speed communication.

Features ◦ Uses four wires (MOSI, MISO, SCLK, and SS).

◦ Faster than I2C, ideal for short-distance communication.

5. CAN (Controller Area Network)

Description

◦ Robust vehicle bus standard designed for automotive applications.

Features ◦ Supports real-time control and is fault-tolerant.

◦ Used in automotive and industrial automation.

6. USB (Universal Serial Bus)

Description

◦A versatile interface for connecting devices.

Features

◦Supports high-speed data transfer and power delivery.

◦Commonly used for peripherals and development boards.

7. Ethernet

Description ◦Widely used for networking and internet connectivity.

Features

◦Supports high data rates and is suitable for larger systems.

◦Used in IoT applications and industrial automation.

Harvard Architecture

◦ Separate memory for instructions and data.

◦ Example: PIC microcontrollers.

Von Neumann Architecture

◦ Shared memory for instructions and data.

◦ Example: AVR microcontrollers.

8-bit Microcontrollers

◦ Process data in 8-bit chunks.

◦ Example: Intel 8051, PIC12.

16-bit Microcontrollers

◦ Process data in 16-bit chunks.

◦ Example: MSP430, PIC16.

32-bit Microcontrollers

◦ Process data in 32-bit chunks, offering higher performance.

◦ Example: ARM Cortex-M series, ESP32.

Embedded Memory Microcontrollers

◦ Have built-in RAM and ROM.

◦ Suitable for simple applications

External Memory Microcontrollers

Support external memory interfaces for RAM and ROM.

◦ Used for more complex applications.

General-Purpose Microcontrollers

◦ Versatile, used in a wide range of applications.

◦Example: Arduino boards.

Specialized Microcontrollers

◦ Designed for specific applications (e.g., automotive, industrial).

Example: Microcontrollers for motor control.

Low-Power Microcontrollers

◦ Designed for battery-operated devices, emphasizing energy efficiency.

◦ Example: MSP430, ATmega series.

High-Performance Microcontrollers

◦ Focus on processing power and speed, often used in demanding applications.

◦ Example: ARM Cortex-A series.

Wireless Microcontrollers

◦Include built-in wireless communication capabilities (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).

◦ Example: ESP8266, ESP32.

Wired Microcontrollers

◦ Use wired communication protocols like I2C, SPI, or UART.

◦ Example: Arduino with Ethernet shields.

8051 Family

Description ◦ An early microcontroller architecture with a 8-bit CPU.

Features

◦ Widely used in embedded systems; supports various peripheral interfaces.

Examples

◦Intel 8051, ATMEL AT89C51

PIC Family

Description

◦ Developed by Microchip Technology; known for simplicity and ease of use.

Features ◦ Available in 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit versions; popular in consumer electronics. Examples ◦ PIC12, PIC16, PIC32.

.AVR Family

Description ◦ Developed by Atmel (now part of Microchip).

Features ◦ 8-bit architecture; supports C programming; commonly used in Arduino.

Examples ◦ ATmega series (e.g., ATmega328), ATtiny series.

ARM Cortex Family

Description ◦ Based on ARM architecture; widely used in various applications.

Features ◦Offers low power consumption and high performance; supports 32-bit and 64-bit. Examples ◦ Cortex-M (for microcontrollers), Cortex-A (for applications).

MSP430 Family

Description ◦Developed by Texas Instruments; optimized for low-power applications.

Features ◦16-bit architecture; commonly used in battery-operated devices.

Examples ◦MSP430G2xx series.

Raspberry Pi Pico

Description ◦ A newer family based on the RP2040 chip developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

Features ◦ Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+, designed for flexibility and performance.

Example ◦ Raspberry Pi Pico.

Renesas RX Family

Description ◦ Designed for consumer and industrial applications.

Features ◦ 32-bit architecture; offers high performance with low power consumption.

Examples ◦ RX100, RX200 series.

NXP LPC Family

Description ◦ Based on ARM Cortex architecture, designed for embedded applications.

Features ◦ High performance, various peripherals, and low power consumption.

Examples ◦ LPC800, LPC1100, LPC2100 series.