Introduction to embedded system:

An embedded system is one kind of a computer system mainly designed to perform several tasks like to access,
process, store and also control the data in various electronics-based systems. Embedded systems are a
combination of hardware and software where software is usually known as firmware that is embedded into the
hardware. One of its most important characteristics of these systems is, it gives the o/p within the time limits.
Embedded systems support to make the work more perfect and convenient. So, we frequently use embedded
systems in simple and complex devices too. 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.

An embedded system is a custom-built special purpose computer used

for a specific purpose. It is a system that combines both hardware and
software to perform a certain task.

Components of Embedded Systems:

hardware components of embedded system:

1. Power Supply:
● A power supply is a crucial component of the embedded system design.
● It is an electrical device mainly used to power up the electrical load.
2. Microcontroller
● An embedded system is either a microcontroller-based or microprocessor-based
system. They give a system computing power and are called integrated circuits.
● The embedded hardware performance is mainly dependent on the processor which
is normally called the brain of the embedded system.

3. ROM/RAM
● Memory is essential to store important information in the embedded computer
system.
● Memory is integrated into a microcontroller or microprocessor.
● There are two types of memories including ROM (read-only-memory) and RAM
(random access memory). The former is called the code memory that stores the
program code and is non-volatile which means it stays stored in the system when the
power supply is removed. While latter is called the data memory and is a volatile
memory which means it is used for temporally storing the information and is removed
from the system when the power supply is turned off.

4. Timers / Counters
● Sometimes you need to create a delay before a specific function. Timers are used in
such cases. While at times you want to count the number of times a particular event
occurs. Counters are used in such case.

5. Communication Ports
● Communication ports are used in embedded systems to establish communication
with other embedded systems. There are several communication ports including
USB, UART, USB, I2C, SPI, and RS-485.

6. Output and Input

● Input is required to interact with the embedded system. A sensor can be used to
provide input to the system. The microcontroller used in the system can be
configured as an input or output port.

7. Electrical Circuit
● You need to design an electrical circuit based on your application. The
following are the basic circuit components that can be used in an electrical
circuit.
a. PCB (printed circuit board)
b. Resistors
c. Capacitors
d. Transistors
e. Diodes
f. Integrated Circuits
g. LED
h. Inductors

Embedded System Software Components

software components of embedded system

The following are the software components of embedded system.
a. Editor
● The editor is the first tool you required for embedded system software.
● The code you write in C and C++ programming languages will be saved in a text file
in the editor.
● Geany editor is a great example of a text editor.
b. Compiler
● A compiler is used to turn this written code into low-level machine language that the
machine can comprehend.
● The main purpose of this tool is to develop an executable program.
c. Assembler
● The compiler directly converts the written code into machine language while the assembler,
on the other hand, first converts source code to object code and then to the language that the
machine can understand.
d. Emulator
 ● The main task of the emulator is to make the embedded system act like a real system in a
simulation environment.

e. Linker
● A linker, also called a link editor, is a tool that takes one or more object files and combines
them to develop a single executable code.
f. Debugger
● A debugger is a tool used for testing and debugging purposes. It scans the code thoroughly
and removes the errors and bugs, and identifies the places where they occur.
● Programmers can quickly address the errors and fix them.

Embedded System Applications

The applications of an embedded system basics include smart cards, computer networking,
satellites, telecommunications, digital consumer electronics, missiles, etc.

Embedded System Applications

● Embedded systems in automobiles include motor control, cruise control, body safety,
engine safety, robotics in an assembly line, car multimedia, car entertainment, E-com

access, mobiles etc.

● Embedded systems in telecommunications include networking, mobile computing,
and wireless communications, etc.
● Embedded systems in smart cards include banking, telephone and security systems.
● Embedded Systems in satellites and missiles include defense, communication, and
aerospace
● Embedded systems in computer networking & peripherals include image processing,
networking systems, printers, network cards, monitors and displays
 ● Embedded Systems in digital consumer electronics include set-top boxes, DVDs,
high definition TVs and digital cameras
Benefits and Advantages of Embedded Systems
● They are very compact in size, with high speed.
● Embedded Systems are very reliable.
● They consume less power and electricity, and they also perform task and operations
assigned to them with great accuracy.
● They are built to perform special task and operations given to them.
● They can be customized for producing more enhanced results.
● They are comparatively cheaper.
● They concentrate on single operation at single time therefore they can process at
very high speed with quality outputs.
● The Embedded system can be easily incorporated with small and large devices to
perform dedicated jobs.
● Due to their silent features they are all used in modern devices and equipment’s for
improved performance.

Drawbacks and Disadvantages of Embedded Systems in Points

● The Embedded Systems are very tedious and difficult to upgrade and update.
● Requires lot of time and energy to maintain these systems.
● Embedded system errors are very difficult to rectify and resolve.
● They are very hard to backup.
● Huge modification cannot be implemented on these systems.
● Embedded system performs a specific operation assign to them and does the same
task repeatedly.
● They are not associated microprocessor or microcontroller for processing.
● If system get damage or corrupt they are completely changed and removed.
● Characteristics of Embedded System
● Embedded systems are embedded with hardware and software.
● They are built to produce and implement certain and specific task or Jobs.
● They are incorporated with microprocessor or microcontroller.
● Can deliver tasks and jobs on particular time without any human intervention.
● They can work with real time.
● They are compact in size and therefore easy to use as their user interface is quite
simple to interact.
● They concentrate on single task and operation at given time.
Examples of Embedded System
● Automobiles
● Mobile Phones
● Industrial Equipment’s
● Medical Instruments
● Electronic Equipment’s and Devices like washing machines and Owen.
 ● Security Peripherals and devices
● Fire alarms.

Reduced Instruction Set Computer or RISC Architecture

The fundamental goal of RISC is to make hardware simpler by employing an instruction set
that consists of only a few basic steps used for evaluating, loading, and storing operations. A
load command loads data but a store command stores data.

Characteristics of RISC:
1. It has simpler instructions and thus simple instruction decoding.
2. More general-purpose registers.
3. The instruction takes one clock cycle in order to get executed.
4. The instruction comes under the size of a single word.
5. Pipeline can be easily achieved.
6. Few data types.
7. Simpler addressing modes.

Complex Instruction Set Computer or CISC Architecture

The fundamental goal of CISC is that a single instruction will handle all evaluating, loading,
and storing operations, similar to how a multiplication command will handle evaluating,
loading, and storing data, which is why it’s complicated.
Characteristics of CISC:
1. Instructions are complex, and thus it has complex instruction decoding.
2. The instructions may take more than one clock cycle in order to get executed.
3. The instruction is larger than one-word size.
4. Lesser general-purpose registers since the operations get performed only in the memory.
5. More data types.
6. Complex addressing modes.

Arduino Technology
A typical example of the Arduino board is Arduino Uno.It includes an ATmega328
microcontroller and it has 28-pin

The pin configuration of the Arduino Uno board is shown in the above. It consists of
14-digital i/o pins. Wherein 6 pins are used as pulse width modulation o/ps and 6 analog i/ps,
a USB connection, a power jack, a 16MHz crystal oscillator, a reset button, and an ICSP
header. Arduino board can be powered either from the personal computer through a USB or
external source like a battery or an adaptor. This board can operate with an external supply
of 7-12V by giving voltage reference through the IORef pin or through the pin Vin.

Digital I/Ps

It comprises of 14-digital I/O pins, each pin take up and provides 40mA current. Some of the
pins have special functions like pins 0 & 1, which acts as a transmitter and receive
respectively. For serial communication, pins-2 & 3 are external interrupts, 3,5,6,9,11 pins
delivers PWM o/p and pin-13 is used to connect LED.
Analog i/ps: It has 6-analog I/O pins, each pin provide a 10 bits resolution.
Aref: This pin gives a reference to the analog i/ps.
Reset: When the pin is low, then it resets the microcontroller

Arduino Architecture
Basically, the processor of the Arduino board uses the Harvard architecture where the
program code and program data have separate memory. It consists of two memories such
as program memory and data memory. Wherein the data is stored in data memory and the
code is stored in the flash program memory. The Atmega328 microcontroller has 32kb of
flash memory, 2kb of SRAM 1kb of EPROM and operates with a 16MHz clock speed.