CME 331

Microprocessor based
Embedded System
www.engr.usask.ca/classes/CME/331

Location: 2B53, Engineering Building

Class Schedule: Lecture – MWF (12.30pm – 1:20 pm)

KHAN WAHID
2015-16 (Term 1)
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 2

Course Objective

Covers the architecture and operation of microcontrollers used in

embedded systems. The course focuses on hardware and software
techniques used to program a microcontroller and interface it
with external devices.

Emphasis is placed on using both assembly language and C to

program the microcontrollers. Microcontroller architecture is
discussed in general with certain internal peripherals discussed in
detail.
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 3

Learning Outcome
Upon successfully completing this course, the students will be able to:
1. Understand the architecture of a general purpose microcontroller and ARM7
microprocessor and be familiarized with Stellaris LaunchPad and its
peripherals
2. Use different components in a microcontroller such as, PWM, A/D, Timer,
interrupt, serial communication, etc. to perform specific tasks
3. Interface a microprocessor with other external devices or components such as,
keypad, switches, LCD display, motor, analog sensors, etc.
4. Write both assembly and C code to program a microprocessor
5. Design a small to medium size embedded system with a microprocessor (such
as, pedestrian controller, traffic display system, digital temperature logger, and
similar)
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 4

Source: Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications, Tim Wilmshurt
Source: The Quintessential PIC® Microcontroller, Sid Katzen, 2nd edition, 2005, ISBN: 978-1-85233-942-5

Architecture & Operation

CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 5

Labs using Development Board

7-seg
LaunchPad display

Graphic
2 pots LCD

Stepper motor
driver 4x4 keypad
interface

The development board has LM4F120 LaunchPad, 7-segment display with driver, LCD display,
Stepper motor driver and intereface, 2 pots, and 4x4 keypad interface – all wired physically
https://www.engr.usask.ca/classes/EE/331/WebNotes_2014/Drawing_dev_board.pdf
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 6

Labs using LauchPad and Development

Board
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 7

A[31:0] control

address register

Architecture & Operation P

C incrementer

PC
register
bank

instruction

decode
A multiply &
L register
U control
A B
b
u b b
s u u
s barrel s
shifter

ALU

data out register data in register

D[31:0]

ARM Architecture
Source: ARM System-on-chip Architecture, Steve Furber, 2nd edition, 2000
 Lecture 1
CME331: Microprocessor
Microprocessor: Introductory Concepts

KHAN WAHID
2015-16 (Term 1)
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 9

Microprocessor-based Embedded System

(sec 2.1, p.48 txt)
 What is an embedded system?
 The definition is simple – “embedded” system means “hidden” system
 An engineering product that needs control, and if a computer/processing engine
is incorporated to undertake the control, is known as embedded system

 “A system whose principal function is not computational, but which is

controlled by a computer embedded within it.”
Source: Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications, Tim Wilmshurt, 2007, ISBN: 978-0750667555

 Most embedded systems do not have keyboard, monitor (display), and/or extra memory
(hard disk)
 These days embedded systems are everywhere, appearing in the home, office, factory, car,
hospital, etc.
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 10

Microprocessor-based Embedded System

(sec 2.1, p.48 txt)
 The term “micro” means small,
and a “computer” contains a
processor, memory, and a
means to exchange data with
the external world. The word
“system” means multiple
components interfaced together
for a common purpose

 As shown in the figure, the term embedded microcomputer system refers to a device that
contains one or more microcomputers inside

 Microcontrollers, which are microcomputers incorporating the processor, RAM, ROM and
I/O ports into a single package, are often employed in an embedded system because of their
low cost, small size, and low power requirements
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 11

Source: Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications, Tim Wilmshurt

Microprocessor-based Embedded System

 Examples of embedded system:

For more examples,

see sec 2.2, p.52 txt
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 12

Types of Embedded Systems

 Type 1: Microprocessor based embedded systems
 Software is developed using assembly, C, etc.
 No operating system
 Low-cost, low-performance (uses ARM Cortex-M series)
 Real-time operating system is developed
 High-performance (uses ARM Cortex-A series)
 First designed on a development platform and then software and hardware are
migrated to a stand-alone embedded platform

 Type 2: DSP-based embedded systems

 Type 3: FPGA-based embedded systems

CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 13

Embedded System
 Auto Tracking Robot
 A robot (moving machine) that follows a black
line automatically
 How to design the hardware?
 Problem description, resource budget, H/W
assembly, programming, testing
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 14

Embedded System
 Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AVG)

Source: Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications, Tim Wilmshurt
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 15

Embedded System – Car Odometer

 Consider a car odometer monitoring system that displays
two things: (a) total distance since manufactured and (b) a
trip odometer
Resource Budget (List of subsystem):
1. An edge-triggered input for the tachometer pulse train to
add up engine revolutions
2. Gear ratio, mi/km option and trip reset

3. Four output digital lines to clock the two shift registers

and provide segment data

4. An MPU to do the calculations and to read/write to the

input/output ports
5. Program memory, usually ROM of some kind
6. Data memory for temporary storage of program
variables, usually static RAM Any improvements?
7. Non-volatile memory to store physical variables
Any improvements?
Source: The Quintessential PIC® Microcontroller, Sid Katzen, 2nd edition, 2005, ISBN: 978-1-85233-942-5
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 16

Source: The Quintessential PIC® Microcontroller, Sid Katzen, 2nd edition, 2005, ISBN: 978-1-85233-942-5

E3.1 – Greenhouse Environment Controller

 A greenhouse controller is to monitor an analog signal from a soil moisture
probe and if below a certain value turn on a water valve for 5 seconds and
off for 5 seconds.
Resource Budget (List of subsystem):
1. An input for an external oscillator, connected to a counter/timer to
allow the MCU to calculate time. In practice the system clock can
often be used by this internal timer to measure duration.
2. A 1-input analog input line to measure the analog signal from the
moisture detector
3. A 1-input digital line to check the level of the reservoir water tank
4. A 1-output digital line to open and close the water valve
5. A 1-output digital line to activate the buzzer alarm
6. A microprocessor to do the calculations and to read/write to the
input/output ports, respectively
7. Program memory, usually ROM of some kind
8. Data memory for temporary storage of program variables, usually
static RAM

HW: MCU controlled robot to cross a road

CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 17

Embedded System
 Doorbell with MP3 Player [Kyle Weisgarber,
Craig Lytle, Curtis Flavel]
 Two door bells, with MP3 player, displays on 7-
segment (how many times bell pushed)
 Problem description, resource budget, H/W
assembly, programming, testing
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 18

What is a Microprocessor?
 The microprocessor (MPU) is the integration of a number of
useful functions into a single IC package:

 The ability to execute a stored set of instructions to carry out user defined
tasks

 The ability to be able to

access external memory
chips to both read and write
data from and to the
memory

Source: http://mic.unn.ac.uk/miclearning/modules/micros/ch1/micro01hist.html
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 19

Microprocessor vs. Microcontroller

 What is a Microprocessor (MPU)?
 A single LSI chip (around 10k transistors), known as Central
Processing Unit (CPU), to perform all computation (without memory
and I/O interface circuit)

 The first microprocessors appeared in Nov 1971 (Intel 4004)

 For the first time a computer CPU was put onto a single IC
 All other functions, like memory and I/O interfacing, were outside the
microprocessor (MPU)
 Gradually, different memory types have been added on to the same chip
 CPU became more powerful and faster (from 8-bit to 16- and 32-bit)

World’s first general purpose 8-bit

microprocessor: Intel 8080 (April 1974)

Source: http://mic.unn.ac.uk/miclearning/modules/micros/ch1/micro01hist.html
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 20

A Brief History of Microprocessors

 The first microprocessor was developed by what was then a small company called Intel
(short for Integrated Electronics) in the early 1970s. The chipset was a success and within a
short while Intel developed a general purpose 4 bit microprocessor called the 4004.

 In 1974 the more powerful second generation microprocessor (the 8008) was announced
fabricated as a single chip. This was quickly followed by the Intel 8080.

 At about the same time Motorola released its first microprocessor, the 6800, which was also
an 8 bit processor with about the same processing power as that of the Intel 8080.

 The architectures used in the Intel 8080 and the Motorola 6800 were very different.

 In due course the Intel 8080 core processor was used for a range of microcontrollers (8048
and 8051 to name but two).

 Motorola followed in a similar vein with a range of microcontrollers based on the 6800
(6805, 6808, 6811 which survive to this day).

Source: http://mic.unn.ac.uk/miclearning/modules/micros/ch1/micro01hist.html
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 21

Source: PIC Microcontrollers, Milan Verle, free online

(www.mikroe.com/en/books/picmcubook/)

Microprocessor vs. Microcontroller

 What is a Microcontroller (MCU)?
 A microcontroller differs from a microprocessor in many ways
 A system where microprocessor along with memory, I/O, and other
necessary functionalities are added for control activities mainly – all
integrated into a single chip

 Like a microprocessor, a
microcontroller needs to be able
to compute also, though not
necessarily big numbers

 Now the microcontroller has taken

over the role of the embedded
computer in embedded systems
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 22

Source: Microprocessors/Microcontrollers – Course Notes, Delmar Cengage Leaning, ISBN: 1435453816

Microcontroller – A Generic View

 Essentially, it contains a simple
microprocessor core, along with all
necessary data and program memory

 To do this, it adds all the peripherals

needed to do the interfacing

 These may include digital and

analog input and output, or counting
and timing elements

Microcontroller = Microprocessor core + Memory + Peripherals

CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 23

Source: Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications, Tim Wilmshurt

Microcontroller Family
 Manufacturer’s Microcontroller Portfolio:

 A manufacturer builds a MCU

family around one fixed
microprocessor core
 But different combinations of
memory and peripherals

 It has several advantages…

Microcontroller = Microprocessor core + Memory + Peripherals

CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 24

Source: Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications, Tim Wilmshurt

Microcontroller Family
 Manufacturer’s Microcontroller Portfolio:

 Advantages:
 Because the core is fixed for
all members of one family, the
instruction set is fixed
 So, users have little difficulty
in moving from one family
member to another

 Example: TM4Cxxxx, TMS470M,

AM5K2Ex, etc.
 All MCU in TM4C series have the
same MPU core (ARM
CortexM4F)
http://www.ti.com/lit/sg/spmt285a/spmt285a.pdf

Microcontroller = Microprocessor core + Memory + Peripherals

CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 25

Our focus in
Designing an Embedded System: this course
Programming Microprocessor Vs. Designing Digital Circuit
Motion-at-night detector
Programmed Custom designed
microprocessor digital circuit  MPU a common
choice to implement
a digital system
 Easy to program /
re-program
 Cheap (as low as
$1)
 Widely available

void main()
{
while (1) {
P0 = I0 && !I1;
// F = a and !b,
}
}

Source: Digital Design, Frank Vahid, 1st ed, 2006

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~vahid/dd
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 26

Microcontroller Applications
 Industrial Control: motors, factory automation, tools,
robotics, test equipment, networks

 Office Automation: printers, plotters, copiers, hard disk

drives

 Home Appliances: white goods, home automation, security

 Consumer Electronics: TVs, DVD players, digital cameras, personal

media players

 Security: Smart cards, SIM cards, mobile phones, biometrics

 Automotive: convenience systems, safety, powertrain, infotainment

http://www.mips.com/everywhere/microcontrollers/
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 27

History of Computers

 History of Computers – 1 (Prof. Dr. Miroslaw

Malek, pdf)

 History of Computers – 2 (Timeline of Computing

History, pdf)

From class website (under 2010 lecture notes)

CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 28

Microcontroller Market
 Microcontroller manufacturer  > 40 suppliers
 STMicro  > 50 architectures
 Texas Instruments  US$44 Billion market
 Renesas  Shipments: 10 Billion in 2007
 Analog Devices  Major Players:
 Atmel
 Freescale (ex. Motorola)
 Hitachi Semiconductor
 Intel
 Microchip
 National Semiconductor
 Dallas Semiconductor
 …
ARM Market: http://www.arm.com/markets/embedded/index.php
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 29

Microcontroller Market (2007)

US$ (in Billions)

8-bits, 3.8, 30%

32-bits, 4.9, 39%

16-bits, 3.9, 31%

Percentage of share

Rest of the World , 10%

Asia, 37%
North America , 25%

Europe , 28%

http://www.emittsolutions.com/images/microcontroller_market_analysis_2008.pdf
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 30

Microcontroller Market (2008)

 As a result of its recent merger
with NEC, Renesas has become
even more dominant in the
microcontrollers product area,
perhaps owning up to one-
quarter of the market now

Which one is the

“best” MCU?

http://eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=216500727&pgno=5
Depends on what you
http://www.openicon.com/confsums/mchp_main.html
are doing…
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 31

Microcontroller Market (2008)

AVR Microcontroller
- A much more modern MCU which was
developed in 1996
- Better architecture than PIC
- Can be programmed with Public
Domain "C" compiler
- More powerful than PIC but not many
variations for built-in functions
- Almost as cheap as PIC

http://eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=216500727&pgno=5
PIC vs. AVR
http://www.openicon.com/confsums/mchp_main.html http://www.ladyada.net/library/picvsavr.html
 CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 32

Microcontroller Market (2008)

ARM Processor
- Becoming increasing popular in industry
- Recently, focus shifted more towards
advanced computation
- Very efficient chip with high speed and
low power consumption
- In fact, the ARM Cortex™-M0 processor
is one of the smallest and most energy-
efficient MPU available today
- ARM processors are widely used in cell
phones, especially in all Apple iPhone and
iPods

ARM Cortex-M0
http://www.electronics-eetimes.com/en/arm-cortex-m0-based-32-bit-mcus-for-cost-
sensitive-motor-and-lcd-control.html?cmp_id=7&news_id=222909083#

http://eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=216500727&pgno=5
http://www.openicon.com/confsums/mchp_main.html
A4 chip drives AppleTV, iPod Touch (Sep 1, 2010)
http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4207280/A4-drives-AppleTV-iPod-Touch
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 33

Microcontroller Market (2011)

 Microcontroller market forecasted to reach over $16 billion
worldwide in 2011 (was $10 billion in 2007)

 Current Trends
 The Asia Pacific region is the largest and highest growth market for MCU,
and the Chinese automotive industry has been identified as a major driver
 Over 80 percent of MCU revenue comes
from industrial and automotive market
applications
 The higher resolution 32-bit
microcontrollers are showing the most
growth in units shipped, but there are
considerable opportunities to be found
for the lower resolution products as well

www.electronics.ca/presscenter/articles/1364/1
www.frost.com/prod/servlet/market-insight-top.pag?docid=191547329
www.marketreports.com/Sample/Global_Data/GBISC007MR_sample.pdf
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 34

Microcontroller Market (2011)

 Recent research (by Frost & Sullivan in N714-26 Strategic Analysis of the Global
Microcontrollers Market) indicates that this market is expected to grow at 5.5 percent from
2009 to 2013
 8-bit MCU rules the Southeast Asian Electronics Industry.
The presence of newer applications in markets such as
medical electronics, automotive, and consumer electronics,
which require MCUs that offer low-cost solutions and deliver
on performance, functionality, and connectivity, have created
a huge market for 8-bit MCUs.

 “The 8-bit MCUs are the mainstay and vital to the processor
ecosystem; they initiate the use of digital electronics in a
wide array of applications,” says the analyst of this research.
“For many new system designs and applications, 8-bit
MCUs are still considered an ideal choice.”

 The 16-bit and 32-bit MCUs will be driven by automotive,

high-end consumer products, and industrial controls
http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/market-insight-top.pag?docid=191547329
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reportinfo.asp?report_id=835349&tracker=related
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 35

Some vendors for ARM…

 Texus Instruments:
 http://www.ti.com/lsds/ti/arm/overview.page

 Atmel products:
 http://www.atmel.com/products/microcontrollers/arm/

 Keil tool chain and products:

 http://www.keil.com/boards/cortexm.asp
CME 331: Microprocessor K. WAHID (2015-16 Term 1) 36

Acknowledgments
 These slides have been prepared by Khan Wahid and may
contain material copyrighted by:
 Krste Asanovic (University of California, Berkley)
 Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers:
Principles and Applications, Tim Wilmshurt, 2007, ISBN: 978-
0750667555
 Digital Design, Frank Vahid, 1st ed, 2006
 The Quintessential PIC® Microcontroller, Sid Katzen, 2nd edition,
2005, ISBN: 978-1-85233-942-5
 Jonathan W. Valvano, http://users.ece.utexas.edu/~valvano