SRI RAMAKRISHNA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, COIMBATORE-10

An Autonomous Institution
(Approved by AICTE, New Delhi – Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai)

CLASSIFICATION / Categories
OF EMBEDDED
SYSTEMS

Dr. D. Binu
Associate Professor / ECE

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 *BASED ON THE FUNCTIONALITY
AND THE PERFORMANCE

1. Stand-alone embedded systems

2. Real-time embedded systems
3. Networked embedded systems
4. Mobile embedded systems

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 1.Stand Alone Embedded
Systems
• Stand-Alone Embedded Systems are those that can work
by themselves i.e., they are self-sufficient and do not
depend on a host system.
• Stand alone embedded systems do not require a host
system like a computer, it works by itself.
• less complex and simple.
• They independent to any system, work by their own.
• It takes user input and acts accordingly.
• The input is received by the respective I/O pins. Input can
be received via sensors, keypad or push button.
• The input may be in digital or in analog form.

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 1.Stand-alone embedded systems…

• The MCU then process the input and make a decision and

perform output like the display on LCD, driving motor or
trigger an alarm.
• It takes the input from the input ports either analog or
digital and processes, calculates and converts the data
and gives the resulting data through the connected device
(either controls, drives and displays).
• Stand-alone embedded systems are made in a way such
that an input is received, processed and thereafter the
desired output is produced.
• Examples: Microwave Oven, the digital wristwatch, mp3
player, doorbell, calculator ,mp3 players, digital cameras,
video game consoles and temperature measurement
systems.

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 2.Real Time Embedded Systems
• A real time embedded system is defined as, a system
which gives a required output in a particular time.
• A Real Time Embedded System provides output
within a defined specific time. That is, real time
embedded systems are designed and created to
perform some specific work in pre-specified time.
• These types of embedded systems follow the time
deadlines for completion of a task.

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 2. Real-time Embedded System….
• The time interval may vary and depends on the
application.
• A real-time embedded system performs the task in
the defined time interval.
• The real-time embedded systems are defined in two
parts:
Soft Real-Time Embedded Systems
Hard Real-Time Embedded Systems

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Soft Real-Time Embedded
Systems
• In this type of embedded systems, the deadline to
complete the task may vary.
• The action performed by the system after the given
time frame is still acceptable and useful.
• Example: While using a microwave oven, you put the
item into the oven and press a button to start
cooking. The oven responds to your input after 1-2
minutes. Even there is the delay, but it cooks well. It
crosses the deadline to complete the task.

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Hard Real-Time Embedded
Systems
 In this type of embedded systems, the task must
complete by a given deadline.
The action performed after the given time interval
may not accept.
There is a certain application where the system
should respond within the time frame.
For example, Traffic Light Controller. In the traffic
light, the system should control the ON and OFF
period of the signal in a defined way. If they perform
with a delay then some accident may happen.

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 3.Networked Embedded Systems
• As the name tells networked embedded systems. The
embedded systems are connected with some kind of
network.
• The system communicates with the server or with the
individual node using the network.
• These types of embedded systems are related to a
network to access the resources.
• The connected network can be LAN, WAN or the
internet.
• The connection can be any wired or wireless.

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 3.Networked Embedded
•
Systems…
This type of embedded system is the fastest growing
area in embedded system applications.
• The embedded web server is a type of system
wherein all embedded devices are connected to a
web server and accessed and controlled by a web
browser.
• Examples:
--LAN networked embedded system is a home security
system wherein all sensors are connected and run on the
protocol TCP/IP.
• Security node connected to the main server in a home
automation system
• ATM machine, Card Swipe Machine, IOT Devices

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 4.Mobile Embedded Systems

• The mobile embedded systems are the most

preferred in any embedded systems.
• Mobile embedded systems are used in portable
embedded devices like cell phones, mobiles, digital
cameras, mp3 players and personal digital assistants, 
wireless camera, personal digital assistant etc.

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 4.Mobile Embedded
Systems…..
• The main advantage of this type of embedded
systems is the wide range.

• The basic limitation of these devices is the other

resources and limitation of memory.

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 Based on the
performance of
the microcontroller 
 Small scale embedded systems
 Medium scale embedded systems
 Sophisticated embedded systems
a. Small Scale Embedded
Systems
• The embedded systems built around low
performance and low cost 8 or 16 bit
microprocessors/ microcontrollers that  may even
be activated by a battery.
• It is suitable for simple applications and where
performance is not time critical.
• It may or may not contain OS.
• For developing embedded software for small scale
embedded systems, the main programming tools
are an editor, assembler,  cross assembler and
integrated development environment (IDE).
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a. Small Scale Embedded System….

• The processor has very limited resources like RAM, ROM and
processing speed.
• For the development of the small-scale embedded system, we
need integrated development environment(IDE) for writing the
code.
• The code is generally written in assembly language or in
embedded C language.
• The compiler is needed if programming in embedded C.
Compiler compiles the C code into the Hex code.
• We need assembler if we are coding in assembly language.
• And at the time of writing the code into the processor. We need
a hardware device called the programmer. That takes the hex
code 17,
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2021write it to the ROM of the processor. 19
 a. Examples of Small Scale Embedded Systems

Washing machine, Oven, Automatic Door Lock,

Motion Controlled Home Security System, Keyboard
controller, CD Drive, photocopy machine, printer,
chocolate vending machine, cooking system,
multitasking toys, keyboard controller, MMI and
network access cards, CD drive or hard disk drive
controller, Fax machine, Remote controller of TV,
Telephone with memory, display .
The small-scale embedded systems are small and
can be operated with a small battery.

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b. Medium Scale Embedded
Systems
• Embedded Systems built around medium
performance, low cost 16 or 32 bit
microprocessors / microcontrollers, RISCs or DSPs.
• These are slightly complex in hardware and
firmware.
• It may contain GPOS/RTOS.
• For developing embedded software for medium
scale embedded systems, the main programming
tools are C, C++, JAVA, Visual C++, RTOS, debugger,
source code engineering tool, simulator and IDE.
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 b.Medium Scale Embedded
Systems..
• There are other options also available like Digital
signal processor(DSP), or some Advanced RISC
architecture machine.
• The medium scale embedded systems are generally
faster than the small scale due to the number of bits
of processor that give a better speed.
• At the time of development, we need different types
of software tools like assembler, compiler and
debugger.
• An RTOS can be implemented on medium scale
embedded systems.
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 c. Large
Scale/Complex/Sophisticated
Embedded Systems
• Embedded Systems built around high performance 32 or 64
bit RISC processors/controllers, RSoC or multi-core
processors and PLD.
• These types of embedded systems have enormous hardware
and software complexities, that may need ASIPs, IPs, PLAs,
scalable or configurable processors.
• These system may contain multiple processors/controllers
and co-units/hardware accelerators for offloading the
processing requirements from the main processor.
• It contains RTOS for scheduling, prioritization and
management.
• They are used for cutting-edge applications that need
hardware and software Co-design and  components which
have to assemble  in the final system.
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