Hardware Elements of

Embedded System

For Embedded systems

BY Abebe B.
 Components of Embedded
System
 An embedded system has mainly
three components.
– Hardware element,
• Processing Elements
• Input Output and Communication
• Peripherals
• D/A and A/D
– application specific software, and
– real-time operating system.
 The hardware components
To mention some of them
Processor
Power source
Clocking circuit
Memory
Timer
Serial port
Parallel port
etc.
 Processor
 A processor is the heart of the ES.
 Processor can be of the following categories:
• General purpose processor
• Microprocessor
• Microcontroller
– A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed
to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. A
typical microcontroller includes a processor, memory and
input/output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip.
• Embedded processor
• Digital signal processor
• Media processor
• Application specific processor
• Application specific instruction processor
 Processor :Microcontroller
• A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit
that combines the CPU, memory (RAM, ROM,
EPROM), and peripherals (timers, counters), into a
single chip.
• It is a small and low-cost microcomputer, which is
designed to perform the specific tasks.
• A microcontroller might contain an embedded
processor as part of its makeup, but also combines
other computer parts, such as memory and signal
registers, in a single chip.
• 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit microcontrollers are
widely used in embedded systems.
 Processor :Embedded
processor
• An embedded processor is a processor designed
especially for handling the needs of an embedded
system.
• Embedded systems require less power, so these
processors are very small and draw less power
from the source.
• A processor is not a control "system."
Microcontrollers, on the other hand, contain
everything required to control a system in a
single chip.
• The peripherals are separate from the main chip,
resulting in more power consumption.
 Processor :Media processor
• A media processor, mostly used as an
image/video processor, is a microprocessor-
based system-on-a-chip which is designed to deal
with digital streaming data in real-time rates.
• These devices can also be considered a class of
digital signal processors (DSPs).
• Unlike graphics processing units (GPUs), which are
used for computer displays, media processors are
targeted at digital televisions and set-top boxes.
 Power Source
• We know that to operate any system
we require power to operate the
system this power can be provided
using three possible methods:
– The system will have its own power
supply or if it is part of another larger
system then it will be using power from
the larger system.
– Supply from a system to which the
embedded system interfaces for example
in a network card.
 Power Source
– Charge pump concept used in a system
of little power in some cases if take ATM
cards which is type of embedded system.
– So in the ATM card at the moment we
insert the card in ATM machine at will get
power so we called at charge pump. So
this charge pump will provide the
necessary power.
 Clocking circuit
 We can define Clock signals as the type of
signals which generally oscillates between
High(1) and Low(0) state.
 These clock signals are most commonly used in digital
circuits like Flip Flops.
 Clock signals are generated using Clock Generator circuit.
 The microcontroller clock signal will govern
the conversion rate of any analog-to-digital
operations.
 The clock's speed will determine the
maximum rate at which the analog signal
can be sampled; the clock's accuracy will
determine the sampling rate's accuracy.
 Embedded Memory
 Various forms of system memory
are present in embedded system
which are:
– Internal memory at microcontroller
– RAM at system on chip or external
RAM
– Flash / EEPROM
– Internal caches at microprocessor
– External RAM chips
– ROM / PROM
 Embedded Memory:
Program memory
 Program memory,
• also known as firmware or software
instructions storage memory, is where
the executable code of the embedded
system is stored.
• It contains the instructions that the
processor executes to perform specific
tasks.
• Common types of program memory in
embedded systems include FLASH
memory and ROM (Read-Only Memory).
 Embedded Memory:
Data memory
Data memory;
 Is used for storing variables, data
structures, and temporary data during
program execution.
 It includes both volatile and non-
volatile memory.
Volatile memory, such as SRAM (Static
Random Access Memory), provides fast
access to data but loses its contents when
power is removed.
Non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM
(Electrically Erasable Programmable.
 Timer
• Embedded system often requires mechanisms
for counting the occurrence of even and for
performing tasks at regular intervals.
– Embedded system are time bounded for counting the
number of events or time between the events.
– The embedded system requires the mechanism for
performing the tasks at regular intervals. Tasks
should be completed at specific time period.
– Timer is used for generating delay and for generating
waveforms with specific delays.
– So, these are the main functions or operation
performed by the timers.
 Serial Port
• Serial Port:
– It is a serial communication interface
which information transfer in or out one
bit at a time.
– Common serial protocols include UART,
SPI, SCI and I2C.
 Serial Port: UART
• UART :
– It stands for universal asynchronous
receiver / transmitter and defines a
protocol, or set of rules, for exchanging
serial data between two devices.
– UART is very simple and only uses two
wires between transmitter and receiver
to transmit and receive in both
directions.
 Serial Port: SPI
• SPI :
– Serial Peripheral Interface is a de facto
standard for synchronous serial
communication, used primarily in
embedded systems for short-distance
wired communication between
integrated circuits.
 Serial Port: SCI
 SCI:
– A serial communications interface (SCI) is a device
that enables the serial exchange of data -- that is,
one bit at a time.
– UART is an asynchronous communication
protocol, whereas SPI is a synchronous
communication protocol.
– The difference is;
• Synchronous communications are scheduled,
real-time interactions by phone, video, or in-
person.
• Asynchronous communication happens on your
own time and doesn't need scheduling.
 Parallel Port
• Parallel Port:
– A parallel port is used for connecting
peripherals.
– The name refers to the way the data is
sent parallel ports send multiple bits of
data at once.
– Parallel port requires multiple data lines
in their cables and port connectors and
tend to be larger than contemporary
serial ports.
 Hardware element of
embedded system
• What is an application-specific
integrated circuit (ASIC)?
– As the name suggests, this is a device
that is created with a specific purpose in
mind.
– When most people hear the term ASIC,
their “knee-jerk” reaction is to assume a
digital device.
– In reality, any chip that is custom-made
is an ASIC, irrespective of whether it is
analog, digital, or a mix of both.
 Real-Time Systems (cont.)
• ASICs are typically designed and
used by a single company in a
specific system.
• They are incredibly expensive, time-
consuming, and resource-intensive to
develop, but they do offer extremely
high performance coupled with low
power consumption.
Real-Time Systems (cont.)
– For the purposes of these discussions,
however, we shall assume a chip that is
either wholly or predominantly digital in
nature, with any analog and mixed-
signal functions being along the lines of
physical interfaces (PHYs) or phase-
locked loops (PLLs).
 (A-to-DC) and (D-to-AC):
• Convert analog signals (e.g., from
sensors) to digital signals and vice
versa, enabling the system to
interface with analog devices.
• The importance of the ADC and DAC
can not be underestimated in
embedded system design hence ADC
and DAC are also considered the key
components of embedded system.
• End!