EMBEDDED

SYSTEMS
By

PANKAJ UPADHYAY
(08D61A0487)

INTRODUCTION
An embedded system can be defined as a control
system or computer system designed to perform a
specific task. Common examples of embedded systems
include MP3 players, navigation systems on aircraft and
intruder alarm systems. An embedded system can also
be defined as a single purpose computer.

Embedded systems are more limited in hardware

and/or software functionality than a personal computer
(PC).
oAn

employs a combination of hardware & software (a

computational engine) to perform a specific function.

WHERE DO WE USE EMBEDDED

SYSTEMS?

At Home: Washing Machines, dishwashers,

ovens, central heating system,burglars alarms,
etc.

In Motor Vehicle: Engine management, security

(locking or antitheft devices), air conditioning,
brakes,
radio etc.

In Industry & Commerce: Machine control,

factory automation, robotics,electronic
commerce office equipments.

CHARACTERISTICS OF EMBEDDED
SYSTEM
Embedded Systems are designed to do some
specific task i.e., it is not a general purpose kind of a
system.
Software for Embedded Systems are stored in ROM
or flash memory.
Knowledge about behavior at design time can be
used to minimize resources and to maximize
robustness.
Embedded Systems provide low power consumption
in many situations.

CLASSIFICATION OF EMBEDDED
SYSTEM
Stand
Real

alone Embedded system.

time Embedded system.

Network
Mobile

appliance.

Embedded system.

EMBEDDED SYSTEM CAN BE

CLASSIFIED :

Stand alone Embedded System:

It is built using a specialized communication

processor, memory a number of network access
interfaces (known as network
ports), and special software that implements logic
for sending information from one device to
another device.
Real Time Embedded System:
A realtime embedded system usually monitors the
environment where the embedded system is
installed. This kind of system isrequired to respond
in time to a request. Examples of realtime

CONTINUED

Network Appliances:
Network appliances are a new class of
embedded systems that in addition to
traditional realtime processing must support
a broad and changing array of network
protocols.

Mobile Embedded System:

Mobile Embedded Systems usually are
simple,
batterypowered
systems
with
resource limitations. In some situations, their
batteries lifetime becomes a prim issue.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM AND A

PERSONAL PC?

General

Purpose Systems:

A general purpose computer system is what you think of when someone says
the word "computer." The defining feature of a general purpose computer is
that it can be reconfigured for a new purpose. In the early days of digital
computers, this involved actually rewiring the entire system. Today, most end
users aren't even aware that this is happening, as the process has become
completely transparent.
Embedded

Systems:

An embedded system has a self-contained operating system on a

"chip" thus embedded into the system and does not rely on having a
hard disk with the operating system on it. Not to mention that is will be
much faster because the access time of the OS on a chip.
An embedded system has historically been defined as a single function
product where the intelligence is embedded in the system. It could be
anything from a dishwasher to a hearing aid, if that product includes a
microprocessor and software.

PRE-REQUISITION FOR EMBEDDED

SYSTEM

Microprocessor.

Microcontroller.

Assembly language.

language.

OS

WHAT IS
MICROCONTROLLER ?
AMicrocontrolleris basically a computer on a
chip.
It differs form normal desktop or laptop computers
in that a microcontroller is an application specific
computer
that
usually
runs
asingle
programperforming dedicated task(s) while the
the later two are general purpose computers that
can run numerous programs depending on a users
needs. A microcontroller contains on chip CPU,
input/output interface, memory, clock, timer, and
an assortment of of other peripherals.

WHAT IS
MICROPROCESSOR?
Amicroprocessorincorporates the functions of
acomputer'scentral processing unit(CPU) on a
singleintegrated circuit(IC) or at most a few
integrated
circuits.
It
is
a
multipurpose,programmabledevice
that
acceptsdigital dataas input, processes it according
to instructions stored in its memory, and provides
results as output. It is an example ofsequential
digital logic, as it has internal memory.

ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE
Assembly

language is a low level language which

we use for microcontroller and microprosseser.
Assembly language is much harder to program
than high level languages.
The programmer needs to have a good
understanding of the hardware being used.
It used less memory and program can run much
faster.
Assembly language allows the programmer to use
symbolic representation for machineoperation
codes (usually calledmnemonics), memory
locations, registers and other parts of aninstruction.

WHY USE C?
It

is a mid-level, with high-level features

(such as support for functions and modules),
and low-level features (such as good access
to hardware via pointers);
It is very efficient;
It is popular and well understood;
Even desktop developers who have used only
Java or C++ can soon understand C syntax;
Good, well-proven compilers are available for
every embedded processor (8-bit to 32-bit or
more);

CLASSIFICATION OF AN
EMBEDDED OPERATING SYSTEM
Non

real time operating system:

NonReal Time Operating Systems do not guarantee
defined
response times. Those systems are mostly used if
multiple applications are needed. Eg: window os.
Real

time operating system:

Real Time Operating Systems are operating systems
which guarantee responses to each event within a
defined amount of time. Some commonly used RTOS
for embedded systems are:VxWorks, OS9,Symbian,
and RTLinux etc

LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM

ADVANTAGE
Multiple

choices vs. sole source

Source code freely available
Robust and reliable
Modular, configurable, scalable
Superb support for networking and Internet
No runtime licenses
Large pool of skilled developers

EMBEDDED SYSTEM DESIGN

PROCESS
Creating

the artitechure.

Implementing
Testing

artitechure.

the system.

Maintaining

the system.

APPLICATION
AREA
Aerospace

APPLICATION
Navigation Systems,
Automatic landing systems,
Flight altitude controls.

Industrial

Elevator Controls, Robots,

Engine Control

Medical

Imaging system,pateint
monitor,heart pacers

Office automation

FAX machines, Telephones, Cash

Registers

Computer
Peripherals
Home

Printers,scanners,keyboards,
displays,modems,Hard Disk
Drives,CDROM
drives
Oven,washing machine.

ADVANTAGE
They

are designed to do a specific task and have real

time performance constraints which must be met.
- They allow the system hardware to be simplified so
costs are reduced.
- They are usually in the form of small computerized
parts in larger devices which serve a general purpose.
- The program instructions for embedded systems run
with limited computer hardware resources, little
memory and small or even non-existent keyboard or
screen.

REFERENCE
www.wikipedia.com
Designing

Embedded HardwareJohn Catsoulis,

O'Reilly, May 2005,ISBN 0-596-00755-8.
Michael

Barr; Anthony J. Massa

(2006)."Introduction".Programming embedded
systems: with C .