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Ch1 Introduction To Embedded Systems

This document provides an introduction to embedded systems. It defines an embedded system as a specialized computer system that is part of a larger machine or system. Embedded systems typically have limited processing capabilities and real-time constraints. They are often used in devices like cell phones, microwaves, cars and more. The document outlines characteristics of embedded systems like being application specific, reactive to external events, operating in harsh environments, and requiring high reliability. It also discusses trends in embedded systems like increasing code size, migration to higher-level languages, and reuse of pre-designed components.

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Santosh Jhansi
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726 views

Ch1 Introduction To Embedded Systems

This document provides an introduction to embedded systems. It defines an embedded system as a specialized computer system that is part of a larger machine or system. Embedded systems typically have limited processing capabilities and real-time constraints. They are often used in devices like cell phones, microwaves, cars and more. The document outlines characteristics of embedded systems like being application specific, reactive to external events, operating in harsh environments, and requiring high reliability. It also discusses trends in embedded systems like increasing code size, migration to higher-level languages, and reuse of pre-designed components.

Uploaded by

Santosh Jhansi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Embedded

Systems
Read Chapter 1
(David E. Simon, An Embedded
Software Primer)

What is an Embedded System


(E.S.)?

Specialized computer system


Part of a larger system or machine
An embedded system usually contains
an embedded processor and a
memory, do not have keyboards,
screens or disk drives usually.
Some embedded systems include an
operating system

What is an Embedded System


(E.S.)?

Typically a custom system for a very


specific application
Limited processing capabilities:
Can be extremely small
Can require a small amount of power

Can have significant real-time constraints


Act on inputs very quickly
Generate high-frequency outputs

Often a higher expectation of reliability

Examples of Embedded Systems

Examples of Embedded Systems

Examples of Embedded Systems

VCRs, DVD players


Cell phone
Microwave
Washer
Camera
Cars (antilock brake system, air-bag, gas
injection..)
Printers, copiers

Characteristics of embedded
systems

Application Specific Systems

Embedded systems are not general-purpose


computers
Optimized for a specific application
Many of the job characteristics are known before
the hardware is designed
Embedded S/W usually cannot run on other
embedded systems without modification
Hardware tailored to application

Unnecessary circuitry eliminated


Resources shared if possible

Characteristics of embedded
systems

Reactive Systems

typical embedded systems model


responds to the environment via sensors
and control the environment using
actuators
requires embedded systems to run at the
speed of the environment
this characteristic is called reactive.
External events can be either periodic or
aperiodic

Characteristics of embedded
systems

Harsh environment( )

Many embedded systems do not operate in a


controlled environment
Excessive heat is often a problem, especially in
applications involving combustion (e.g., many
transportation applications)
protection from vibration, shock, lightning,
power supply fluctuations, water, corrosion, fire,
and general physical abuse
challenges to the embedded system designer,
including accurately modeling the thermal
conditions of these systems

Characteristics of embedded
systems

System safety and reliability

embedded systems control more and more


of the safety aspects of the overall system
these safety measures may be in the form of
software as well as hardware control
challenges to embedded designers include
designing reliable software and building
cheap, available systems using unreliable
components

Characteristics of embedded
systems

Small and low weight

many embedded computers are


physically located within some larger
system
challenge is to develop non-rectangular
geometries for certain solutions
weight can also be a critical constraint

Other differences from desktop

Human interface varies

Flashing light

Diagnostic port used for diagnosing


the controlled system not the
computer
FPGA and ASIC and non-digital H/W
used to increase performance or
safety

Generic embedded system

Processor

Just enough to get the job done


Register width is important

General purpose 32- bit and 64- bit


Embedded processors 8- and 16-bit

Memory

ROM (executable program)


RAM (data to manipulate)

Generic embedded system

Development cost

Number of units
Expected lifetime

Dependent of product

High volume products can stand for a higher


development cost

Smaller volume is more sensitive to


development cost

Drives design decisions

Reliability

Children's toys do not always have to work right


Space shuttle is a different story

Common design requirements


Criterion

Low

Medium

High

Processor

4- or 8- bit

16-bit

32- or 64-bit

Memory

< 16 KB

64 KB to 1 MB

> 1 MB

Development
cost

< $100,000

$100,000 to
$1,000,000

> $1,000,000

Production cost

< $10

$10 to $1000

> $1,000

Number of units

< 100

100-10,000

> 10,000

Expected
lifetime

Days, weeks, or
months

Years

Decades

Reliability

May occasionally Must work


fail
reliably

Must be fail
proof

Embedded Systems Challenges

Lets consider the Telegraph and Cordless


Bar-code scanner for example.
Throughput
Response
Testability
Debugability
Reliability
Memory Space
Program Installation
Power Consumption
Cost

Evolution of Embedded Systems

Hardwired systems initially


Microprocessor-based
Microcontroller-based
Specialized (application) processors

Evolution of Embedded Systems


Address Bus
Digital outputs (parallel port) LED

Memory
System

Digital inputs (parallel input)

I/O

Data Bus

Microcontroller
USB
802.11
Specialized Processors

LCD

Switch

Serial port
Analog input/output Temperature
Sensor

Evolution of Embedded Systems

Popular microcontrollers

8-bit : Intel 8051, Intel 80188,


Motorola 6805, Motorola 68hc11, Zilog
16-bit: Intel 80186, Motorola 683xx
family
32-bit: Intel 80386 EX, PowerPC family
More recent:
ATMEL line of products, TI DSPs

Embedded programming
languages

C has become the language of embedded


programmers
Advantages of C

Small

Easy to learn

Wide compiler support

Large body of experience

Processor independent

Low level programming language

C gives embedded programmers large degree of


direct hardware control

Produces relatively compact efficient code for a wide


variety of processors

No more assembly required (mostly)

Trends in embedded systems

Increasing code size


average code size for embedded systems
has been increasing dramatically

1992; avg code size - range of 16-64K bytes


1996; the average size had grown to 64K-512K
This trend is continuing

Migration to higher level language from


assembly

As applications become more and more complex,


programmers are transitioning to higher level
languages for productivity reasons

Trends in embedded systems

Increasing reuse of pre-designed


components

these include DSP chips as well as other


microprocessors and microcontrollers

Migration to a core-based design

Systems becoming more complex and


heterogeneous
There are more ASIC-based designs with high
speed as well as high integration
Larger microprocessors are used with 32-bit
processors becoming the norm

The embedded lifecycle

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