Embedded Systems

SUDAN JHA
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Definition

 An embedded system is a combination of computer hardware and

software designed for a specific function.

 It can be programmable or have a fixed functionality.

 Industrial machines, consumer electronics, agricultural and

processing industry devices, automobiles, medical equipment,
cameras, digital watches, household appliances, airplanes, vending
machines and toys, as well as mobile devices, are possible locations
for an embedded system.
Must know:

 While embedded systems are computing systems, they can range

from having no user interface (UI) -- for example, on devices
designed to perform a single task -- to complex graphical user
interfaces (GUIs), such as in mobile devices.

 User interfaces can include buttons, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and

touchscreen sensing. Some systems use remote user interfaces as
well.
Examples of embedded systems

 Embedded systems are used in a wide range of technologies across

an array of all verticals of industries.
 Automobiles: (How?) Some embedded systems in consumer vehicles
include cruise control, backup sensors, suspension control, navigation
systems and airbag systems.

 Mobile phones: These consist of many embedded systems, including

GUI software and hardware, operating systems (OSes), cameras,
microphones, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) I/O (input/output) modules.

 Industrial machines: Sensors, specific monitoring and control functions.

 Medical equipment: Sensors, Control mechanisms, Medical equipment like

industrial machines, also must be very user-friendly so that human health
isn't jeopardized by preventable machine mistakes.
How does an embedded system
work?
 Embedded systems always function as part of a complete device --
that's what's meant by the term embedded.
 They are low-cost, low-power-consuming, small computers that are
embedded in other mechanical or electrical systems.
 Generally, they comprise a processor, power supply, and memory /
communication ports.
 Embedded systems use the communication ports to transmit data
between the processor and peripheral devices -- often, other
embedded systems -- using a communication protocol.
 The processor interprets this data with the help of minimal software
stored on the memory. The software is usually highly specific to the
function that the embedded system serves.
Purpose of Embedded Systems

 Data Collection/Storage/Representation
 Data Communication
 Data (signal) processing
 Monitoring
 Control
 Application specific user interfaces
 Data Collection/Storage/Representation

• Several system are designed for the data collection, that could be
represented in text, voice, image, video, electrical signals and many
other measurable quantities.

• The collected data may be stored in the system or may be transmitted

to some other source.

• A digital camera is a typical example of an embedded system with

data collection/storage/representation of data.
 Data Communication

• Embedded data communication systems are deployed in applications

ranging from complex satellite communication system to simple home
networking systems.

• The data collected by an embedded terminal may require transferring

of the same to some other system located remotely. The transmission is
achieved either by a wireline medium or by a wire-less medium.

• For example: Bluetooth, wireless router

 Data (signal) processing

• The data (voice, image, video, electrical signals and other measurable
quantities) collected by embedded systems may be used for various
kinds of data processing. Embedded systems with signal processing
functionalities are employed in applications demanding signal
processing like speech coding, synthesis, audio video codec,
transmission applications etc.

• Example: A digital hearing aid is a typical example of an embedded

system employing data processing. Digital hearing aid improves the
hearing capacity of hearing impaired persons, Musical Gadgets
 Monitoring

• Embedded system falling under this categories are specifically designed for
monitoring purpose.

• They are used for determining the state of some variables using input
sensors.

• Most of the Embedded system categories for monitoring lies in medical

purpose.

• Example: Electro cardiogram (ECG) machine for monitoring the heartbeat

of a patient
 Control

• Embedded systems with control functionalities impose control over some

variables according to the changes in input variables. A system with control
functionality contains both sensors and actuators.
SJ2

• Sensors are connected to the input port for capturing the changes in
environmental variable or measuring variable. The actuators connected to
the output port are controlled according to the changes in input variable to
put an impact on the controlling variable.

• Eg. An Air conditioner for controlling room temperature. Embedded system

• with Control functionality
Slide 13

SJ2 a device that causes a machine or other device to operate.

Sudan Jha, 2/6/2023
 Application specific user interface
• There are embedded systems with application-specific user interfaces
like
• buttons, switches, keypad, lights, bells, display units, etc.
• Mobile phone is live example today.
Categories of Embedded System

 Based on functionalities and performance requirements,

embedded systems can be categorized as.
• Stand-alone embedded systems
• Real-time systems
• Networked Information Appliances
• Mobile Devices
Stand-alone Embedded System

 This system works in stand-alone position.

 Some of the examples are digital camera,
microwave oven, CD player, Air Conditioner and TV.
 They take inputs, process them and produce the
desired output.
 The input can be electrical signals to drive another
system, and LED display or LCD display for displaying
of information to the users.
 In a process control system, the inputs are from
sensors that convert a physical entity such as
temperature or pressure into its equivalent electrical
signal. These electrical signals are processed by the
system and the appropriate electrical signals are
produced using which an action is taken such as
opening a valve.
SJ1

Real-Time Systems

Pacemaker TC Remote Control

Slide 17

SJ1 Sudan Jha, 2/6/2023

 Real-Time Systems
 System that needs to be done in specific time period are called Real-Time system.
 For example, Pacemaker, if the heart doesn't start to beat, after certain millisecond,
the Pacemaker needs to start. If this Pacemaker does not start than there would
cause big disaster. Such systems with strict deadlines are called hard-real systems.
 In some embedded systems there are system which needs to work after certain time
frame, but if they couldn't fulfill within the time it will not hamper that much. These
embedded systems are called soft real-time systems.
 Hard real time systems & Soft real time system(Remote Control in TV)

Real time systems are categorized as hard real time

systems and soft real time systems. In hard real time
systems, missing a deadline may lead to a
 *A pacemaker is a small device that's placed (implanted) in the chest to help control the heartbeat. It's catastrophe. In soft real-time systems, meeting the
used to prevent the heart from beating too slowly. Implanting a pacemaker in the chest requires a surgical
procedure.
deadline is important but missing deadline will not
 A pacemaker is also called a cardiac pacing device . lead to a catastrophe.
Networked Information Appliances

 Embedded systems connected to a network, typically a network

running TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol)
 Lets take an example, camera doing job of guard or supervision); the
camera is taking video and sending data to the system.
 Door-lock of your home can be small embedded system with TCP/IP
and HTTP server.
 Early Warning System(to Distant Places)
Mobile Devices


• Mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), smart phones etc.
• PDA is a general-purpose tasks, they need to be designed just like
the conventional embedded systems.
Features:

 Reliability
 Performance
 Power Consumption
 Cost
 Size
 Limited user Interface
 Software Upgradation Capability
Reliability

 Consider an example of Pacemaker discussed earlier.

 A special module called watchdog timer is required.
 Sometime, several Embedded Systems may be required for extreme
environmental conditions (known as ruggedness).

Performance

 The performance of Embedded system is very important.

 For example if the temperature exceeds 50 degree of the engine
car, then there must be the system that needs to give alarm to the
owner, or needs to open the valves of any engine part. If the system
doesn't perform as required than there could be big disaster.
Power Consumption

 Most of the embedded systems operate through a battery. To

reduce the battery drain and avoid frequent recharging of the
battery, the power consumption of the embedded system has to be
very low.
 Its better to develop a system that automate off power ingredient
component of the Embedded System. For example if the system is
not being used disable WiFi system of the Mobile.
 Develop a system that could use less power.
 To reduce component count, the hardware designers have the
option of using Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) and Field
Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)
Cost

 This is very important in context to the economical value of the

Embedded System.
 If the system is being used directly to the consumer prospective, the
system must be cheaper where as if the embedded system is being
used in the nuclear plant, than in this circumstance, money matter
may might be counted.
Size

 Its very important in context to aircraft, missiles etc.

 Hardware designer needs to reduce the size of the board and other
components that hold to reduce the size of Embedded system.
Limited User Interface

 User Interface in Embedded System is not given that much

important, as its working performance and its reliability is being
believed as most important.

 In some Embedded System there is no any input command from the

user prospective as it gets input as electrical signal, in another side,
output is displayed in a sets of LEDs or small LCD.
Software Upgrade Capability

 In some case, there is need to upgrade the software to make the

system more smooth, secure and reliable.
 There are several example like upgrading firmware in the routers so
that there compatibility increase.
 Nowadays, software upgrade is done by downloading the software
onto the embedded system through the Internet.
 Difference between General
System(Computer) & Embedded System
 Category(CA) & Google Classroom

 Description

 Human Interaction

 Types based on architecture

 Parts

 Tasks

 Cost to user

 Peripherals

 Purpose

 Power Consumption

 Complexity

 Need of another device

 Usage Difficulty

 User Interfaces

 Time Specificity

 Size

 Memory Requirement