Lesson 1:

Topic: A. Understanding General Embedded Applications

What is an Embedded System?

A specialized computer system that is part of a larger system or machine. Webopedia an embedded system performs pre-defined tasks, usually with very specific requirements. Since the system is dedicated to a specific task, design engineers can optimize it, reducing the size and cost of the product. Wikipedia

Examples of Embedded Systems

Todays Design Challenges in Industry

The Engineering HW Problem:
The Challenge of Converging Complexities
Ethernet, USB, video, audio, (iPod, cell phone)

The Engineering SW Problem:

The Challenge of Exponential Firmware Growth
Approximately 50% of total production cost attributed to software development and growing Many embedded based products complete behind schedule primarily to SW issues

The Product Design Cycle Problem:

The Challenge of Sophisticated Systems.

The Design Cycle

Design
System Specification Design & Simulation Rapid Prototyping Code Generation

Test
Field Test

Calibration & Functional Test System Test (HIL)

Complex Control Applications

Precision Machine Control Industrial Control Motion Control

Flight Control

Engine Control

How Do Engineers Reduce the Complexities When Building Embedded Systems?

Deployment Price

Turnkey System

Modular Systems

COTS Board

ODM Boards

Custom Boards

Standard Silicon

Systems Shipped per Year

ASSP

ASIC

Traditional Embedded Prototyping Design Time

Hardware Design: 2 weeks Logic and Circuit Design: 2 weeks Hardware Verification: 2 weeks Software Design/Coding: 2 weeks Software Integration: 2 weeks System Testing/Certification: 2 week

TOTAL: 12 weeks, $50,000 to $150,00

Modular and COTS based Embedded Design

Hardware Design: 0 weeks HW Verification: 0 weeks Logic and Circuit Design: 0 weeks Software Design/Coding: 1 week Software Integration: 1 week System Testing/Certification: 1 week

TOTAL: 3 weeks, $17,000 + Cost of P

Common Hardware Design Architectures

Analog I/O Analog I/O

Sensor I/O

Sensor I/O

Processor

FPGA
Bus I/O USB, Ethernet

Processor
Bus I/O USB, Ethernet
Analog I/O

Digital I/O

Digital I/O Sensor I/O

Processor
Digital I/O Bus I/O USB, Ethernet

Common Embedded Communication Methods

SPI

I2C Serial