EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

Abstract
Embedded systems are increasingly becoming integral parts of
almost all technology-oriented applications. Embedded systems are
the unsung heroes of much of the technology we use today- video
games, washing machines etc. The appliances using embedded
systems are pre programmed to perform a dedicated or narrow
range of functions as part of a large system, usually with minimal
end user interaction and optimum performance. Embedded systems
are used in navigation tools like global positioning systems (GPS),
automated teller machines(ATM’s), networking equipments such as
Echo cancellation, facsimile etc. the coming together of embedded
systems and the internet, which made possible the networking of
several embedded systems to operate as part of a large system
across networks- be it a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. This
convergence of embedded systems with the Internet is going to
transfer the way we live.
The Embedded systems are fast achieving ubiquity, blurring the
lines between science fiction and hard reality.
2. INTRODUCTION:

Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the
number of applications that demand customized computer systems
that offer high performance at low cost. These applications are,
more often than not, characterized by the need to process large
amounts of data in real time. Examples include consumer
electronics, scientific computing, and signal processing systems.
Constraints on performance, cost and power make software
implementations of data processing algorithms for such systems
infeasible. Non-programmable hardware, however, does not
support modifications of algorithms. The solution to this dilemma
has been to develop application-specific hardware that is flexible
programmable – these systems are commonly referred to as
embedded systems
An embedded system is a "behind the scenes" computer which,
when combined with resident software applications, provides
functionality typically focused on a single, specialized purpose.
Embedded systems typically include embedded software that is
burned into Eraseable Programmable Read Only Memory
(EPROM) or resident in memory, special-purpose hardware, and
Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs); often there are stringent
requirements on power consumption, performance, and cost.
Embedded systems cannot be redesigned or removed easily
once the device that incorporates the system has been built.
Embedded systems development thus requires concurrent work on
both hardware and software components.

3. EMBEDDED SYSTEMS : THE DESIGN

A system can be defined as a group of devices or artificial objects
or an organization forming a network especially for distributing
something or serving a common purpose . To embed a system into
some object means to make that system an integral part of the
object. When an engineer talks about an embedded system, he or
she is usually referring to a system that satisfies a well-defined need
at a specific instant in time. The system is usually dedicated to that
need, and its operational limits are clearly defined: lifetime, power
consumption, performance, and so on. The system usually has
limited capabilities for future development, simply because it is
permanently installed in a device that provides a certain service to
its user. Examples include DSP processors in hand-held
communication devices, programmable controllers installed in
robots or cars, and video signal processors in television sets.
Because these systems cannot be redesigned or removed easily
once the device that incorporates the embedded system is built, the
development procedure must produce a correct system that meets
all of its operational requirements.
As stated in the introduction, some of the characteristics of
embedded systems include embedded software that is burned into
EPROM or resident in memory, special-purpose hardware, FPGAs,
stringent requirements on power consumption, performance, and
cost. Clearly, an embedded system consists of both hardware and
software components. The performance and cost constraints make it
necessary for the design engineer to explore a combination of
possible hardware architectures or custom hardware components
and software or programmable parts that would best suit the nature
of the application. Hence, the division between the programmable
and non-programmable components and their interface can become
a critical issue in the design.
3.1 EMBEDDED SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE :

FIG 1. AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE

0011011000111110
1100101100101011000001110100110101111011000000100100101010011010000011110101011010000111010011110001111001011110110000100001
001

First a need or opportunity to deploy new technology is identified.

Then a product concept is developed. This is followed by
concurrent product and manufacturing process design, production,
and deployment. But in many embedded systems, the designer must
see past deployment and take into account support, maintenance,
upgrades, and system retirement issues in order to actually create a
profitable design. . Some of the issues affecting this life-cycle
profitability are
discussed below.
3.1.1 Component acquisition
Because an embedded system may be more application-driven than
a typical technology-driven desktop computer design, there may be
more leeway in component selection. Thus, component acquisition
costs can be taken into account when optimizing system life-cycle
cost
3.1.2 System certification
Embedded computers can affect the safety as well as the
performance the system. Therefore, rigorous qualification
procedures are necessary in some systems after any design change
in order to assess and reduce the risk of malfunction or
unanticipated sys system failure.
One strategy to minimize the cost of system recertification is to
delay all design changes until major system upgrades occur. As
distributed embedded systems come into more widespread use,
another likely strategy is to partiition the system in such a way as to
minimize the number of subsystems that need to be recertified
when changes occur
3.1.3 Logistics and repair
Whenever an embedded computer design is created or changed, it
affects the downstream maintenance of the product. A failure of the
computer can cause the
entire system to be unusable until the computer is repaired. In many
cases embedded systems must be repairable in a few minutes to a
few hours, which implies that spare components and maintenance
personnel must be located close to the system. A fast repair time
may also imply that extensive diagnosis and data collection
capabilities must be built into the system, which may be at odds
with keeping production costs low.
Because of the long system lifetimes of many embedded systems,
proliferation of design variations can cause significant logistics
expenses. For example, if a component design is changed it can
force changes in spare component inventory, maintenance test
equipment, maintenance procedures, and maintenance training.
Furthermore, each design change should be tested for compatibility
with various system configurations, and accommodated by the
configuration management database

3.1.4 Upgrades
Because of the long life of many embedded systems, upgrades to
electronic components and software may be used to update
functionality and extend the life of the embedded system with
respect to competing with replacement equipment. While it may
often be the case that an electronics upgrade involves completely
replacing circuit boards, it is important to realize that the rest of the
system will remain unchanged. Therefore, any special behaviors,
interfaces, and undocumented features must be taken into account
when performing the upgrade. Also, upgrades may be subject to
recertification requirements.

4. EMBEDDED SYSTEMS: APPLICATIONS

4.1 Military Communications, radar,

sonar, image processing, navigation, missile guidance
4.2 Automotive
Engine control, brake control, vibration analysis, cellular
telephones, digital
radio, air bags, driver navigation systems
4.3 Medical
Hearing aids, patient monitoring, ultrasound equipment, image
processing, Topography
4.4 Telecommunications
Echo cancellation, facsimile, speaker phones, personal
communication
systems (PCS), video conferencing, packet switching, data
encryption,
channel multiplexing, adaptive equalization
4.5 Consumer
Radar detectors, power tools, digital TV, music synthesizers, toys,
video
games, telephones, answering machines, personal digital assistants,
paging

4.6 Industrial
Robotics, numeric control, security access, visual inspection, lathe
control,
computer aided manufacturing (CAM), noise cancellation.

5. EMBEDDED INTERNET:
Used in everything from consumer electronics to industrial
equipment, embedded systems —small, specialized computer
systems stored on a single microprocessor — are playing a major
role in the growth of the Internet and the boom of wireless
communication channels.Due in part to embedded systems, more
and more consumer products and industrial equipment are
becoming Internet-friendly.
The future of embedded Internet in an unlimited array of appliances
and applications designed to create, connect and make smarter the
things that people use everyday. Operating in the background
embedded Internet will connect home appliances to each other and
to the homeowner, shop floor tools will connect to data gathering
systems and hospitals will connect to laboratories. This ubiquitous
computing environment is becoming a reality, with embedded
systems starting to be connected to the Internet, creating a new
market category of embedded Internet systems.
One feature of embedding devices is the ability of appliances to
send their own e-mails. For example, a fetal monitor could
routinely call a hospital's computer system and transmit a daily log
of fetal activity. Or a home security system could send an email to
both a security service and a homeowner, informing them of a
possible problem. Another feature is Web serving, where a machine
tool's web page served-up information on interrupts and
maintenance records.How embedded communications is going to
be accomplished is part of the excitement in the unfolding of the
concept. Obviously, applying lessons learned from the PC and
networking will speed the adoption of embedded Internet. First,
standards are key. Second, use of the Web browser as the universal
interface will speed deployment and acceptance because it is
familiar, requires little training and can be programmed for rich
content. Third is the truth of "Metcalf's law," which states that the
value of a node on a network increases exponentially as the number
of nodes on that network increases. Device-to-device
communications will take network connectivity into thousands of
everyday items.
Comprehensive, seamless, and worldwide connected embedded
systems may still be a pipe dream today, but they are quickly
becoming more accessible and controllable thanks to LANs,
WANs, and the Internet. Many businesses are already using
embedded technology to innovate with voice, video, and data
traffic, hoping to set the stage for a competitive advantage in the
future.
0100100100110010111010110000110100101101011010010010011001011001010110000011101001101101111011000000100100101010011010000011
110101011010000111010011110001111001011110110000100001001

6. CONCLUSIONS:

Many embedded systems have requirements that differ significantly

both in details and in scope from desktop computers. In particular,
the demands of the specific application and the interface with
external equipment may dominate the system design. Also, long
life-cycles and in some cases extreme cost sensitivity require more
attention to optimization based on these goals rather than
maximizing the computational throughput.

Recent interest in hardware/software codesign is a step in the right

direction, as it permits tradeoffs between hardware and software
that are critical for more cost-effective embedded systems.
However, to be successful future tools may well need to increase
scope even further to include life cycle issues and business issues.
 INDEX

1. Introduction
2. Embedded system: design
• Embedded system life cycle
• Components acquisition
• System certification
• Logistic & repair
• Upgrades
3. Embedded system application
• Military
• Auto motive
• Medical
• Telecommunication
• Consumer
• Industrial
4. Embedded internet
5. Conclusion