Introduction

to
Embedded Systems
Date-10/10/2009
Ravi kumar A.V
Lecturer
Electronics and Communication

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Introduction

 What are embedded systems?

 What makes them different?
 Real time operation
 Many sets of constraints on designs
 Challenges in embedded computing
system design.
 Design methodologies.
Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Definition
 Embedded system: any device that includes a
programmable computer but is not itself a general-
purpose computer.
 Computer purchased as part of some other piece of
equipment
• Typically dedicated software (may be user- customizable)
• Often replaces previously electromechanical components
• Often no “real” keyboard
• Often limited display or no general- purpose display device: don’t
need all the general-purpose bells and whistles.

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
What is an embedded system

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
 Examples
Office systems and Building systems Manufacturing and
mobile equipment Process Control
Answering machines Air conditioning Automated factories
Copiers Backup lighting and Bottling plants
Faxes generators Energy control systems
Laptops and notebooks Building management Manufacturing plants
systems
Mobile Telephones Nuclear power stations
CTV systems
PDAs, Personal organisers Oil refineries and related
Still and video cameras Fire Control systems storage facilities
Heating and ventilating Power grid systems
Telephone systems
systems
Time recording systems Power stations
Lifts, elevators, escalators
Printer Robots
Lighting systems Switching systems
Microwave
Security systems
Water and sewage systems
Security cameras
Sprinkler systems
Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Examples
Transport Communications Other equipment
Aeroplanes Telephone systems Automated teller systems
Trains Cable systems Credit card systems
Buses Telephone switches Medical Imaging equipment
Marine craft Satellites Domestic Central Heating control
Jetties Global Positioning VCRs
Automobiles System
Air Traffic Control
Signalling Systems
Radar Systems
Traffic Lights
Ticketing machines
Speed cameras,
Radar speed
detectors

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Automotive embedded
systems

 Today’s high-end automobile may have

100 microprocessors:
 4-bit microcontroller checks seat belt;
 microcontrollers run dashboard devices;
 16/32-bit microprocessor controls engine.

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
BMW 850i brake and
stability control system

 Anti-lock brake system (ABS): pumps

brakes to reduce skidding.
 Automatic stability control (ASC+T):
controls engine to improve stability.
 ABS and ASC+T communicate.
 ABS was introduced first---needed to
interface to existing ABS module.

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
BMW 850i, cont’d.

sensor sensor

brake brake

hydraulic
ABS
pump

brake brake

sensor sensor
Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Embedded systems rule
the market place

•80 Million PCs vs. 3Billion Embedded

CPUs Annually
• Embedded market growing; PC market
mostly saturated

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
 Why are embedded systems
different from desktop computers ?

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
 Four General Embedded
Systems Types
General Computing
• Applications similar to desktop computing, but in an embedded package
• Video games, set- top boxes, wearable computers, automatic tellers
Control Systems
• Closed- loop feedback control of real- time system
• Vehicle engines, chemical processes, nuclear power, flight control
Signal Processing
• Computations involving large data streams
• Radar, Sonar, video compression
Communication & Networking
• Switching and information transmission
• Telephone system, Internet

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Characteristics of an
embedded system
Real-Time Operation
• Reactive: computations must occur in response to external events
• Correctness is partially a function of time
Small Size, Low Weight
• Hand- held electronics and Transportation applications -- weight costs
money
Low Power
• Battery power for 8+ hours (laptops often last only 2 hours)
Harsh environment
• Heat, vibration, shock, power fluctuations, RF interference, lightning,
corrosion
Safety- critical operation
• Must function correctly and Must not function in correctly
Extreme cost sensitivity
• $. 05 adds up over 1,000, 000 units
Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Embedding a computer

output analog

input analog
CPU

mem
embedded
computer
Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Why use microprocessors?
 Microprocessors simplify the design of families of
products.
 Microprocessors are often very efficient: can use
same logic to perform many different functions, but
Microprocessors use much more logic to implement a
function than does custom logic.
 Alternatives: field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
ASIC’s, custom logic, etc.
 What about MicroControllers or DSP’s….
 Custom logic is a clear winner for low power devices.

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
An Embedded Control
System Designer’s View

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
A Customer View

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Design teams

 Often designed by a small team of

designers.
 Often must meet tight deadlines.
 6 month market window is common.
 Can’t miss back-to-school window for
calculator.

Introduction to
Embedded Systems
Challenges in embedded
system design

 How much hardware do we need?

 How big is the CPU? Memory?
 How do we meet our deadlines?
 Faster hardware or cleverer software?
 How do we minimize power?
 Turn off unnecessary logic? Reduce memory
accesses?

Introduction to
Embedded Systems