An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions, sometimes with real-time computing constraints.
Specialized computer system hardware that is used in larger systems or machines to control devices such as automobiles, home appliances, and office equipment.
Any electronic system that uses a CPU chip, but that is not a general-purpose, workstation, desktop or laptop computer. Such systems generally use microprocessors, or they m
An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions, sometimes with real-time computing constraints.
Specialized computer system hardware that is used in larger systems or machines to control devices such as automobiles, home appliances, and office equipment.
Any electronic system that uses a CPU chip, but that is not a general-purpose, workstation, desktop or laptop computer. Such systems generally use microprocessors, or they m
An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions, sometimes with real-time computing constraints.
Specialized computer system hardware that is used in larger systems or machines to control devices such as automobiles, home appliances, and office equipment.
Any electronic system that uses a CPU chip, but that is not a general-purpose, workstation, desktop or laptop computer. Such systems generally use microprocessors, or they m
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Embedded Systems (ECEg-5702)
Lecture 1: Introduction
By Demisew T. Outline of the Lecture
Embedded Systems Definition
Embedded Systems Characteristics
Embedded systems Examples
Contrast between embedded systems and other
computer systems
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Definition
• Precisely defining Embedded System is difficult. The
following definitions may, in combination, do the job. An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions, sometimes with real-time computing constraints Specialized computer system hardware that is used in larger systems or machines to control devices such as automobiles, home appliances, and office equipment . Any electronic system that uses a CPU chip, but that is not a general-purpose, workstation, desktop or laptop computer. Such systems generally use microprocessors, or they may use custom-designed chips or both.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Definition
An embedded system is some combination of computer
hardware and software, either fixed in capability or programmable, that is specifically designed for a particular kind of application device. An embedded system is a combination of computer circuitry and software that is built into a product for purposes such as control, monitoring and communication without human intervention.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Definition
• IEE defines Embedded Systems as: “the devices
used to control, monitor or assist the operation of equipment, machinery or plant. “Embedded” reflects the fact that they are an integral part of the system.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Characteristics
• Common characteristics of Embedded Systems are the
following: Frequently, embedded systems are connected to the physical environment through sensors collecting information about that environment and actuators controlling that environment. Embedded systems have to be dependable (trusted). Many ES are safety- critical. Examples of safety critical systems are Nuclear power plants, airplanes, trains, cars, satellites etc.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Characteristics
Dependability encompasses the following aspects of a system:
1. Reliability: Reliability is the probability that a system will not fail. 2. Maintainability: Maintainability is the probability that a failing system can be repaired within a certain time-frame. 3. Availability: Availability is the probability that the system is available. Both the reliability and the maintainability must be high in order to achieve a high availability. 4. Safety: This term describes the property that a failing system will not cause any harm. 5. Security: This term describes the property that confidential data remains confidential and that authentic communication is guaranteed.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Characteristics
Embedded systems have to be efficient. The following metrics
can be used for evaluating the efficiency of embedded systems: 1. Energy: Many embedded systems are mobile systems obtaining their energy through batteries. Available electrical energy must be used very efficiently.
2. Code-size: the code-size should be as small as possible for the intended
application.
3. Run-time efficiency: We should be able to meet time constraints using the
least amount of hardware resources and energy. In order to reduce the energy consumption, clock frequencies and supply voltages should be as small as possible. Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Characteristics
4. Weight: All portable systems must be of low weight. Low weight is
frequently an important argument for buying a certain system. 5. Cost: For high-volume embedded systems, especially in consumer electronics, competitiveness on the market is an extremely crucial issue, and efficient use of hardware components and the software development budget are required.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Characteristics
These systems are dedicated towards a certain application. For
example, processors running control software in a car or a train will always run that software, and there will be no attempt to run a computer game or spreadsheet program on the same processor. There are mainly two reasons for this: Running additional programs would make those systems less dependable. Running additional programs is only feasible if resources such as memory are unused. No unused resources should be present in an efficient system.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Characteristics
Most embedded systems use a dedicated user-interface
consisting of push-buttons, steering wheels, pedals etc. Because of this, the user hardly recognizes that information processing is involved. Many embedded systems must meet real-time constraints. Not completing computations within a given time-frame can result in a serious loss of the quality provided by the system. A time- constraint is called hard if not meeting that constraint could result in a catastrophe. All other time constraints are called soft.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded Systems Characteristics
Many embedded systems are hybrid systems in the sense that
they include analog and digital parts. Typically, embedded systems are reactive systems. A reactive system is one that is in continual interaction with its environment and executes at a pace determined by that environment.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded systems Examples
• Even though often nearly invisible, embedded systems are
ubiquitous. • Embedded systems are present in many industries, including industrial automation, defense, transportation, and aerospace. For example, NASA’s Mars Path Finder, Lockheed Martin’s missile guidance system, and the Ford automobile all contain numerous embedded systems. • Every day, people throughout the world use embedded systems without even knowing it. • Remarkably adaptable and versatile, embedded systems can be found at home, at work, Indeed, it is difficult to find a segment of daily life that does not involve embedded systems in some way.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded systems Examples
• Embedded Systems in the Home Environment
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded systems Examples
• Embedded Systems in the Work Environment
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded systems Examples
• Automotive electronics: Modern cars can be sold only if they
contain a significant amount of electronics. These include air bag control systems, engine control systems, anti-braking systems (ABS), air-conditioning, GPS systems, safety features, and many more. • Aircraft electronics: A significant amount of the total value of airplanes is due to the information processing equipment, including flight control systems, anti-collision systems, pilot information systems, and others. Dependability is of utmost importance. • Trains: Again, safety features contribute significantly to the total value of trains, and dependability is extremely important.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded systems Examples
• Medical systems: There is a huge potential for improving the
medical service by taking advantage of information processing taking place within medical equipment. • Military applications: Information processing has been used in military equipment for many years. In fact, some of the very first computers analyzed military radar signals. • Authentication systems: Embedded systems can be used for authentication purposes. • Fabrication equipment: Fabrication equipment is a very traditional area in which embedded systems have been employed for decades. Safety is very important for such systems, the energy consumption is less a problem.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering Embedded systems Examples
• Smart buildings: Information
processing can be used to increase the comfort level in buildings, can reduce the energy consumption within buildings, and can improve safety and security. • Robotics: Robotics is also a traditional area in which embedded systems have been used. Mechanical aspects are very important for robots.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of