UNIT 6: EMBEDED SYSTEMS

READING AND SPEAKING 1

2.1

1. There are two types of real-time embedded systems: hard real-time and soft
real time embedded systems.
2. The difference is: a single 8-16-bit microcontroller with on-chip RAM and
ROM is designed to perform simple tasks meanwhile a 16-32-bit with external
RAM and ROM can perform more complex operations.

3. Embedded systems have been used since 1965’s.

4. The networked embedded systems connect to a network with network

interfaces to access resources.

5. For a general-purpose computer, you can install any software to do all

kinds of jobs such as word processing, book keeping, database management,
and others depending on your purposes.

6. The embedded software is usually called firmware because this type software
is loaded to ROM, EPROM, or Flash memory, and once it is loaded it will never
be changed unless it needs to be reloaded or replaced.

7. Embedded systems can be classified into 3 categories based on the functional

and performance requirements: Stand-alone embedded systems, Real-time
embedded systems, Networked embedded systems.

8. The hardware includes a microprocessor or microcontroller with additional

attached external memory, I/O, and other components such as sensors, keypad,
LEDs, LCDs, and any kind of actuators.

2.2

1. C 2. A 3. C 4. A 5. A

READING AND SPEAKING 2

2.1

1. Automobiles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles increasingly use

embedded systems to maximize efficiency and reduce pollution.

2. Most embedded systems cannot be shut down for maintenance, or it is

very difficult to repair, such as aerospace systems.

3. Embedded systems are often embedded in machines that are expected to

run continuously for years without faults, and tolerate the errors by
themselves if an error occurs.

4. Advanced HVAC systems use networked thermostats to more accurately and

efficiently control temperature that can change by time of day and season.

5. For fire safety, the systems can be designed to have greater ability to handle
higher temperatures and continue to operate.

6. Computer networking uses dedicated routers and network

bridges to route data.

7. Embedded systems are used in transportation, fire safety, safety and security,
medical applications and life critical systems, as these systems can be isolated
from hacking and thus, be more reliable, unless connected to wired or wireless
networks via on-chip 3G cellular or other methods for IoT monitoring and
control purposes.

8. The lifetime of the embedded system should be long, more than 5 years.

2.2

1. A 2. A 3. A 4. A 5. A

2.3

1. D 2. D 3. D 4. B 5. C

READING AND SPEAKING 3

PART 1:

2.1
1. A CPU is composed of an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), a Control Unit
(CU), and many internal registers that are connected by buses.

2. A microcontroller typically includes small amounts of RAM, PROM,

timers, and I/0 ports. All of them are collected by the buses.

3. There are 3 internal registers such as: The accumulator (Ace), the
Program Counter (PC), the Instruction Register (IR).

4. ALU stands for Arithmetic Logic Unit. The ALU performs all
the mathematical operations (Add, Sub, Mul, Div), logical
operations (AND, OR), and shifting operations within CPU.
5. Every embedded system consists of customer-built hardware components
supported by a Central Processing Unit (CPU), which is the heart of a
microprocessor (mP) or microcontroller (mC). Most embedded systems are built
on microcontrollers.

6. The difference between the Data Buffer Registers and the Address Register
is:

The Data Buffer Registers store the data received from the memory or the
data to be sent to memory. The Data Buffer Registers are connected to the
data bus.

The Address Register stores the memory location of the data

to be accessed (get or set). The Address Register is connected
to the address bus.

7. A microprocessor is a stand-alone CPU chip, and memory and I/0 ports can
be custom designed and expanded. . Two popular microcontrollers used for
embedded systems, the Intel 8051 and Motorola, are shown in the
following block diagrams.

8. CU stands for Control Unit. The timing and sequencing of all CPU
operations are controlled by the CU. It is responsible for directing the flow of
instruction and data within the CPU and continuously running program
instructions step by step.
 PART 2:
2.2

1. The small amount of automatic variable data are stored on the on-
chip RAM for fast and frequent access and update, while the large
amount temporary data (array, table) can be stored in off-chip RAM.
2. The ROM, EPROM, and Flash memory are mentioned.

3. The 8051 memory is divided into 2 types: Data Memory and Code Memory.

4. The embedded code firmware stored in ROM type memory because all
ROM type memories are non-volatile.

5. For same type memory, on chip memory access is much fast than off-chip
memory, but the size of on-chip memory is much smaller than the size of off-
chip memory.

2.3

1. A 2. A 3. B 4. C 5. A

2.4

1. D 2. B 3. D 4. C 5. B

READING AND SPEAKING 4

2.1

1. Lack of good software modeling and design processes will result in the
repetition of the life cycle and will have significant impact on software quality
and the time to market.

2. software engineering methodology is recommended for the software design

and development because the embedded software is not deployed on a general
purpose computer system, the embedded software in CIC++ or other high level
programming languages must be developed and tested on a cross-platform
machine such as a PC.

3. The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in software engmeenng 1s

recommended for a complex embedded system software development project.
4. For a successful embedded system development, embedded system hardware
and software co-design based on the system specification is also very necessary
to get the prototype working smoothly.

5. The software developers must guarantee the reliability, safety, and

correctness of the embedded software.

6. An engineering discipline is needed for the embedded software design and

development.

7. Because the embedded software is not deployed on a general purpose

computer system, the embedded software in CIC++ or other high level
programming languages must be developed and tested.

8. The SDLC of an embedded system project can also be divided into two
stages based on the system prototype paralleled with the hardware
development.

2.2

1. A 2. B 3. A 4. C 5. B

2.3

1. B 2. D 3. A 4. B 5. D