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

Test

System
Specification

Field Test

Calibration &
Functional Test

Design &
Simulation
Rapid
Prototyping

System
Test (HIL)
Code
Generation

Complex Control Applications

Precision Machine Control

Flight Control

Industrial Control
Motion Control

Engine Control

Systems Shipped per Year

ASSP

ASIC

Custom
Boards
Standard
Silicon

ODM Boards

COTS Board

Modular Systems

Turnkey System

Deployment Price

How Do Engineers Reduce the Complexities When Building

Embedded Systems?

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

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 PC

Common Hardware Design Architectures

Analog
I/O
Analog
I/O

Sensor
I/O

Sensor
I/O

Processor

FPGA

Processor

Digital
I/O

Bus
I/O
USB,
Ethernet

Digital
I/O
Analog
I/O

Sensor
I/O

Processor
Digital
I/O

Bus
I/O
USB,
Ethernet

Bus
I/O
USB,
Ethernet

Common Embedded Communication Methods

SPI

I2C
Serial