VALLIAMMAI ENGINEERING COLLEGE

SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur – 603 203

DEPARTMENT OF
ELECTRONICS AND INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERING

QUESTION BANK

VI SEMESTER

ET5152–DESIGN OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

REGULATION – 2017
ACADEMIC YEAR 2017 – 18

Prepared by

Ms.S.Vanila, Assistant Professor (Sr.G)/EIE

UNIT I - INTRODUCTION TO EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
Introduction to Embedded Systems –Structural units in Embedded processor, selection
of processor& memory devices- DMA, Memory management methods- memory
mapping, cache replacement concept, Timer and Counting devices, Watchdog Timer,
Real Time Clock
PART-A
Q.No Questions BT Level Competence
1. How embedded systems are different from
BTL 2 Understand
conventional PC?
2. What are the different types of memory used in
BTL 1 Remember
embedded system design?
3. Examine the function of pre-processor macros. BTL 3 Apply
4. What are the steps involved in the build process? BTL 1 Remember
5. Differentiate between editor and compiler. BTL 2 Understand
6. How watchdog timers are different from
BTL 6 Create
conventional timers?
7. Assess the role of additional structural units in
BTL 6 Create
advanced embedded processor.
8. What are the different modes of DMA transfer?
BTL 1 Remember
Which one is suitable for embedded system?
9. Analyze the need for memory management in
BTL 4 Analyze
Embedded Systems.
10. List out the states of timer. BTL 1 Remember
11. How does a program reside in ROM in embedded
BTL 5 Evaluate
systems?
12. Classify the various models used in embedded
BTL 3 Apply
system Design.
13. Define Real Time Clock (RTC). BTL 1 Remember
14. Why do we need at least one timer in an ES? BTL 1 Remember
15. Point out some control bits of a timer. BTL 4 Analyze
16. Classify embedded Real time systems. Give an
BTL 3 Apply
example for each.
17. List out the importance of In-circuit emulator
BTL 2 Understand
(ICE).
18. Prioritize the various development processes used
BTL 5 Evaluate
in ICE.
19. Differentiate between host machine and target
BTL 2 Understand
machine.
20. Point out the issues that impact the selection of
BTL 4 Analyze
processor for an application.
PART-B
1. (i)Describe the memory management concepts in
embedded system design. (6)
BTL 1 Remember
(ii)Examine how real time systems differ from
conventional system. What is the necessity of real
time system in embedded applications? (7)
2. With neat diagram, explain the working of Direct
Memory Access (DMA) and mention the memory BTL 6 Create
management methods (13)
3. (i) Summarize the various form of memories
present in an embedded system. (7) BTL 2 Understand
(ii) Discuss the software tools in designing of an
embedded system. (6)
4. (i)Quote in brief about the various steps involved in
the Embedded System build process. (7) BTL 1 Remember
(ii) Describe the basic block diagram of embedded
real time system. (6)
5. (i) Explain the need for memory management.(7)
BTL 2 Understand
(ii)Discuss in detail about embedded computory
applications. (6)
6. Demonstrate in detail about the different
BTL 3 Apply
‘Embedded Processors’ in a system. (13)
7. Explain the different types of single purpose
BTL 4 Analyze
processors. (13)
8. Explain the differences between timer and counting
devices used in embedded system with necessary BTL 4 Analyze
diagrams. (13)
9. (i) Summarize in detail about memory organisation
BTL 5 Evaluate
and memory enhancement. (6)
(ii) How co-verification is done? Explain. (7)
10. (i) Explain how suitable processor are selected for
an embedded system design. (7) BTL 6 Create
(ii) Explain how suitable memory devices are
selected for an embedded system design. (6)
11. (i)Discuss about the structural units in embedded
processor. (7) BTL 2 Understand
(ii) Discuss the function of In-Circuit emulator (6)
12. Analyze the role and importance of following in an
embedded system BTL 4 Analyze
(i)Watchdog Timer, (ii) Real Time Clock (6+7)
13. (i) Discuss in detail about how the timers and
counters are useful in system design in embedded
systems (7) BTL 3 Apply
(ii)Discuss about the applications of hardware
units and devices in an embedded system. (6)
14. (i) What does u mean by cache replacement
BTL 3 Applying
technique? why it is needed for embedded system
.(7)
(ii)Tabulate the necessity of flash memory and
BTL 5 Evaluate
RAM used in embedded system.(6)
PART-C
1. Discuss briefly on memory management of overlap
BTL2 Understand
memory on cache replacement techniques. (15)
2. List the need for watchdog timer in an embedded
application. Explain how it protects the system with BTL 6 create
an example.(15)
3. Elucidate the selection of processor and memory
BTL 6 create
for any one embedded applications with suitable
 diagram in detail. (15)
4. (i) Develop a chart for brief about the importance
of following :(1) Multitasking OS (2) IP core
(3) System on Chip (4) ASSP in modern trends. (8) BTL 6 create
(ii) List out the tests of five industry-specific tests
suite of EEMBC benchmark tests list.(7)

UNIT II - EMBEDDED NETWORKING

Embedded Networking: Introduction, I/O Device Ports & Buses– Serial Bus
communication protocols -RS232 standard – RS485 –USB – Inter Integrated
Circuits (I2C) – interrupt sources , Programmed-I/Obusy-wait approach without
interrupt service mechanism- ISR concept-– multiple interrupts – context and
periods for context switching, interrupt latency and deadline -Introduction to Basic
Concept Device Drivers.
PART-A
Q.No Questions BT Level Competence
1. List out the types of I/O ports. BTL 1 Remember
2. Differentiate between serial port and parallel
BTL 2 Understand
port.
3. What is meant by embedded networking? BTL 1 Remember
4. What is full duplex communication? BTL 1 Remember
5. Compare parallel port interfaces for keypad,
BTL 4 Analyze
printer, LCD-controller and touch screen.
6. Identify the major features of USB bus. BTL 2 Understand
7. What is USB? Where is it used? BTL 1 Remember
8. List the set of registers involved in data
communication between I/O device and BTL 2 Understand
processor.
9. State any four standard band rates supported
BTL 4 Analyze
by RS 232
10. Mention the concept behind deadline in
BTL 3 Apply
embedded system design
11. What do you mean by context switching? BTL 1 Remember
12. Evaluate the merits of advanced serial high
BTL 5 Evaluate
speed buses.
13. Mention the concept of plug and play. BTL 3 Apply
14. Justify that why device drivers are necessary
BTL 6 Create
for interfacing a device with a processor.
15. What is meant by I2C? BTL 1 Remember
16. List the steps involved in device driver’s
BTL 2 Understand
execution.
17. Classify between device register and device
BTL 3 Apply
address?
18. In what way devices are connected in
BTL 5 Evaluate
designing daisy chain arrangement?
19. Analyze the differences between busy wait BTL 4 Analyze
 approach and interrupt service mechanism.
20. Assess the transmission rates of I2C. BTL 6 Create
PART-B

1. Mention the features of buses and common

modes used in serial communication and BTL 3 Apply
explain them. (13)
2. Analyze the importance of interrupts in
embedded system and explain how context BTL 4 Analyze
switching is executed in it.(13)
3. (i)What are interrupts?(3)
(ii) How they are generated? (5)
BTL 1 Remember
(iii)What are types of interrupts and brief
them in detail?(5)
4. What do you mean by context switching?
BTL 1 Remember
how it is handled by scheduler.(13)
5. Examine the functions of device drivers and
interrupt service mechanisms employed in it. BTL 6 Create
(13)
6. Write short notes on the applications of :
(i) RS 232 standard (4)
BTL 3 Apply
(ii) USB (5)
(iii) Inter Integrated Circuits Bus (4)
7. (i)Explain the functions of device drivers. (5)
(ii) List out the steps involved in writing a BTL 2 Understand
device driver.(8)
8. Discuss about the differences in execution
between programmed I/O and busy wait BTL 2 Understand
approach in embedded system. (13)
9. Explain how serial data transfer is performed
in I2C bus. Also brief the steps involved in BTL 4 Analyze
transfer of a byte using I2C? (13)
10. Write a detailed technical short note on the
characteristics of the I2C and explain the BTL 1 Remember
process of arbitration. (13)
11. (i) Briefly explain about input/output device
ports and buses. (9) BTL 2 Understand
(ii) Compare RS 232,RS 422,and RS 485.(4)
12. Explain the need and working of the
following :
BTL 4 Analyze
(i)MAX 232 (7)
(ii)Device Drivers (6)
13. Describe Daisy chain arrangement in
BTL 1 Remember
programmed I/O and comment on it. (13)
14. Design and explain a parallel priority
interrupt hardware for a system with eight BTL 5 Evaluate
sources(13)
PART-C
1. Analyse that how serial communication BTL 4 Analyze
 protocols are used for embedded
networking?(15)
2. Create a List about the importance of
latency, deadline and context switching in BTL 6 Create
embedded networking.(15)
3. Where multiple interrupts are needed? how
they are executed in embedded system based BTL 6 Create
applications.(15)
4. What do you mean by context period and
interrupt service routine? how do they
BTL 6 Create
executed by embedded system based
applications.(15)
 

UNIT- III EMBEDDED FIRMWARE DEVELOPMENT

Introduction to basic concepts of RTOS- Task, process & threads, interrupt routines
in RTOS, Multi processing and Multitasking, Pre emptive and non-preemptive
scheduling, Task communication shared memory, message passing-, Inter process
Communication –synchronization between processes-semaphores, Mailbox, pipes,
priority inversion, priority inheritance-comparison of commercial RTOS features -
RTOS Lite, Full RTOS, VxWorks, μC/OS-II, RT Linux
PART-A
Q.No Questions BT Level Competence
1. Compare the difference between RTOS and
BTL 6 Create
Operating System.
2. List any four commercial RTOS. BTL 1 Remember
3. Assess when an RTOS is necessary and not
BTL 6 Create
necessary in an embedded system.
4. How does a data output generated by one
process transfer to another process using an BTL 1 Remember
IPC?
5. Differentiate process, threads and tasks. BTL 2 Understand
6. What are the different states of a task? BTL 1 Remember
7. Mention the consequences of context
BTL 3 Apply
switching.
8. Mention the characteristics of functions,
BTL 3 Apply
Interrupt Service Routines and Tasks.
9. Distinguish between multiprocessing and
BTL 2 Understand
multitasking.
10. List out the importance of preemptive
BTL 1 Remember
scheduling.
11. Distinguish non preemptive and preemptive
BTL 2 Understand
scheduling in RTOS.
12. What is shared data problem? How will you
BTL 1 Remember
eliminate it?
13. What is the use of semaphore? BTL 1 Remember
14. Examine the importance of disability of
BTL 3 Apply
interrupts in Embedded System.
15. Analyze the situations which lead to priority
BTL 4 Analyze
inversion?
16. How will you define active task in the context
of Vx works? What are the features of Vx BTL 5 Evaluate
works?
17. Point out the functions performed by Real time
BTL 4 Analyze
OS in an embedded system?
18. Outline the features of RT Linux. BTL 4 Analyze
19. Summarize the goals of operating system? BTL 2 Understand
20. Justify the advantages of mail boxes in RTOS. BTL 5 Evaluate
PART-B
1. Explain the principle of preemptive and non
preemptive multitasking. Discuss about the
BTL 2 Understand
scheduling algorithms suitable to these two types
of multitasking. (13)
2. (i)Explain the goals of operating system services.
(7)
BTL 4 Analyze
(ii)Explain the three alternative systems in RTOS
for responding a hardware source call with a neat
sketch. (6)
3. (i)Describe the features of Vx works RTOS. (7)
BTL 1 Remember
(ii) Enumerate the merits and demerits of various
Real time operating systems. (6)
4. Write the fifteen point strategy for
synchronization between the processes, ISRs, OS BTL 1 Remember
functions and tasks for resource management. (13)
5. Describe the features of various Contemporary
BTL 1 Remember
Real Time Operating Systems. (13)
6. (i) Explain the basic concepts of RTOS. (4)
(ii) What are the different types of RTOS? (4) BTL 4 Analyze
(iii) Explain the features of Micro OS-II. (5)
7. Write about the use of semaphores for the critical
BTL 5 Evaluate
sections of a task with necessary diagram. (13)
8. Summarize the system level and task service
BTL 6 Create
functions of μc/OS. (13)
9. What is shared data problem? Demonstrate how
shared data problem will be handled in real time BTL 3 Apply
system. (13)
10. Illustrate with suitable example about the use of
semaphore in multitasking? What are the various BTL 3 Apply
semaphore operations? (13)
11. Explain how the interrupt routines are handled by
RTOS and illustrate the features of Vx Works. BTL 2 Understand
(13)
12. Explain the terminologies Semaphores, Mail box,
BTL 4 Analyze
pipes and shared memory in RTOS. (13)
13. (i)Discuss about inter-process communication. (3)
(ii)Explain about the real time operating system of BTL 2 Understand
RTOS lite. (10)
 14. (i)Describe in detail about RT Linux RTOS. (6)
(ii)Describe about task creation, management and BTL 1 Remember
scheduling in μC/OS-II. (7)
PART-C
1. Prepare about the list of usage issues encountered
BTL 6 Create
in In-circuit emulators (15)
2. Analyze about the performance of an embedded
system, based on the special software techniques
that are considered by embedded system BTL 4 Analyze
programmers, when developing software for the
application.(15)
3. Develop the list of points to be considered for the
selection of RTOS for various embedded
BTL 6 Create
applications. Give some known design
examples.(15)
4. How to select debugging tools to develop an
BTL 6 Create
embedded system.(15)
 

UNIT IV SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TOOLS

Software Development environment-IDE, assembler, compiler, linker, simulator,
debugger, Incircuit emulator, Target Hardware Debugging, need for Hardware-
Software Partitioning and Co-Design.Overview of UML, Scope of UML modeling,
Conceptual model of UML, Architectural, UML basic elements-Diagram- Modeling
techniques - structural, Behavioral, Activity Diagrams
PART-A
Q.No Questions BT Level Competence
1. Define UML. BTL 1 Remember
2. What are the three ways and perspectives to apply
BTL 3 Apply
UML?
3. Describe the Primary goals in the Design of UML. BTL 2 Understand
4. What is UML Activity Diagrams? BTL 3 Apply
5. Point out the issues involved in the Hardware –
BTL 4 Analyze
Software integration of embedded system design
6. Quote any four features for the selection of
BTL 1 Remember
compilers.
7. Compare the source code with object code BTL 5 Evaluate
8. Explain the need for co-verification in embedded
BTL 4 Analyze
product development.
9. Tabulate the advantages and disadvantages of
BTL 1 Remember
debug kernel
10. List the elements of ROM emulator. Also give
BTL 2 Understand
limitations of it
11. Name the two resources needed for the debug
BTL 1 Remember
kernel from the target device?
12. Write the minimum requirements of special debug
BTL 6 Create
tools, used in system integration
13. How does the Host-based debugging perform?
Examine the problems associated with this BTL 3 Apply
debugging
14. Give the advantages of emulator. BTL 2 Understand
15. Name the methods for finding the bug in the
BTL 1 Remember
single line and block of the given code.
16. Discuss, where do we use triggers in emulation?
BTL 2 Understand
Why?
17. Define In-circuit emulator BTL 1 Remember
18. What is the need for break point in debugging?
BTL 6 Creating
How it is integrated with the program?
19. Summarize the role of memory steering logic in
BTL5 Evaluate
ICE
20. Explain how emulators steering circuitry
interposed between processor and the target BTL4 Analyze
system
PART-B
1. List the various UML diagram and examine the
BTL 1 Remember
purpose of each diagram.(13)
2. Generalize your views and write notes on
BTL 6 Create
Structural and Behavioral Pattern.(13)
3. (i).Compare sequence diagram and
communication diagram with suitable example. BTL 5 Evaluate
(ii).Explain the Concepts of frames in UML.(13)
4. (i)Explain hardware and software design of BTL 4
Analyze
embedded system in detail. (10)
(ii)List the product specification details needed BTL 1
Remember
for an embedded system design.(3)
5. (i)With suitable example, illustrate the concept of
Hardware/software partitioning.(9) BTL 3 Apply
(ii)Discuss about the tasks are carried out in
iteration and implementation phase in embedded BTL 2 Understand
design.(4)
6. Write short notes on the following:
BTL 1
(i)Compilers. (6) Remember
(ii)Hardware and software debugging tools.(7)
7. (i)With suitable example, describe the concept of
BTL 2 Understand
Partitioning decision. (8)
(ii)Illustrate how to code the hardware in the
BTL 3 Apply
View of HW/SW duality. (5)
8. Explain with an application how to do host based
BTL 4 Analyze
debugging. Also discuss about the problems
associated with it. (8+5)
9. (i) With a neat block diagram, explain the BTL 4
operation of ROM emulator. Differentiate its Analyze
functionality from ICE. (8) BTL 1
(ii) Write the advantages and disadvantages of Remember
debug kernel.(5)
10. With neat schematic explain briefly about remote BTL 1
Remember
debuggers and debug kernels. (13)
11. Explain in detail on the JTAG emulator.(13) BTL 1 Remember
12. Mention the merits and demerits of Structural and BTL 3 Apply
 behavioural UML Model. (13)
13. Analyse the importance of each basic elements in BTL 4 Analyze
UML.(13)
14. Discuss the scope of UML modelling in
BTL2 Understand
embedded system design.(13)
PART-C
1. Explain product integration and the challenges to
be addressed upon product integration with BTL 5 Evaluate
example.(15)
2. Develop an UML model for a simple home
BTL 6 Create
automation application.(15)
3. Create a computational model any one embedded
system application with the role of hardware BTL 6 Create
software co-design (15)
4. Develop the list for various issues related with
design of embedded system for automotive BTL 6 Create
applications. (15)
 

UNIT V EMBEDDED SYSTEM APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Objectives, different Phases & Modeling of the Embedded product Development Life
Cycle (EDLC),Case studies on Smart card- Adaptive Cruise control in a Car -Mobile
Phone software for key inputs.
PART-A
Q. BT
No Questions Level Competence
1. Mention the importance of sensors and actuators in
BTL 3 Apply
embedded applications
2. Identify the importance of temperature and level
sensor in washing machine. BTL 2 Understand
3. Compare High Speed Electronic Control Unit and
BTL 6 Create
Low Speed Electronic Control Unit.
4. State the role of interfacing I/O circuit in smart
BTL 1 Remember
card.
5. List the embedded devices present in a high end
BTL 1 Remember
car.
6. What is adaptive control? How does adaptive
control algorithm differ from feedback proportional BTL 1 Remember
control?
7. Examine the features of OS in automobile
BTL 4 Analyze
applications?
8. How do you identify an application that would
BTL 5 Evaluate
benefit from using a smart card?
9. Point out the advantage of encryption when using a
fabrication key, personalization key, utilization BTL 4 Analyze
lock and PIN?
10. List the objectives of Embedded product
BTL 1 Remember
Development Life Cycle.
11. Point out the basic concept of EDLC BTL 2 Understand
12. Why EDLC is essential in embedded systems? BTL 5 Evaluate
13. Predict the aim of product development in
BTL 2 Understand
embedded systems.
14. List the role of quality in embedded product
BTL 1 Remember
development.
15. Discuss the importance of budget allocation in
BTL 2 Understand
EDLC.
16. Examine the necessity of Product re-engineering. BTL 3 Apply
17. Define conceptualization. BTL 1 Remember
18. Compare iterative /incremental/foundation EDLC
BTL 4 Analyze
model.
19. Mention the computational models in EDLC. BTL 3 Apply
20. Propose the best suited circumstances of object
BTL 6 Create
oriented model for embedded design.
PART-B
1. Discuss the role of an embedded application
which provides extensive support in home BTL 2 Understand
automation. (13)
2. Mention the different communication buses used
BTL 3 Apply
in automotive applications and explain.(13).
3. Describe the architecture of a contactless smart
BTL 1 Remember
card. (13)
4. Tabulate the requirements and functionalities of
BTL 1 Remember
smart card communication system. (13)
5. Analyze various steps of embedded system design
with respect to design of automatic washing BTL 4 Analyze
machine. (13)
6. (i)Justify the merits of hardware software co-
design. (4)
BTL 6 Create
(ii) Explain the fundamental issues in hardware
software co-design. (9)
7. Analyze the different computational models in
BTL 4 Analyze
embedded system design. (13)
8. (i) List the different phases of EDLC and mention
the significance of each phase.(7)
(ii)With examples ,tabulate the difference between BTL 1 Remember
control dominated systems with data dominated
systems.(8)
9. (i)What is the difference between Data Flow
Graph and Control data flow graph? (6)
BTL 2 Understand
(ii) Explain their significance in embedded system
design. (7)
10. Examine the classic embedded product
development life cycle model and discuss about BTL 5 Evaluate
conceptualization. (13)
 11. Illustrate with an example the phenomenon of
Linear/waterfall model in embedded system BTL 3 Apply
design. (13)
12. With suitable example, explain about the state
machine model of mobile phone with key BTL 1 Remember
inputs.(13)
13. Illustrate with functional description about the
different phases of Embedded system life cycle BTL 4 Analyze
model. (13)
14. Describe the various types of electronic control
BTL 2 Understand
units employed in automotive applications. (13)
PART-C
1. (i) What are the major phases, an embedded
BTL 6 Create
product undergo? Consider a sample product for
design and development and analyze the challenges
faced at each phase.(10)
(ii) Why should the embedded system RTOS be
BTL 4 Analyze
scalable.(5)
2. Analyze the factors that an embedded system
BTL 6 Create
designer should consider to help him to decide
which RTOS is appropriate for his application. (15)
3. Develop the hardware/ software design flow in
BTL 6 Create
detail highlighting the similarity between the
activities followed in each design. (15)
4. Narrate the objective, need, different phases and BTL 5  Evaluate
modelling of EDLC(15)