EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

WHAT IS AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM?

• A general-purpose definition of embedded systems is that they are devices

used to control, monitor or assist the operation of equipment, machinery or
plant.
• Any device, or collection of devices, that contain one or more dedicated
computers, microprocessors, or microcontrollers .
• “Embedded” reflects the fact that they are an integral part of the system.
WHERE CAN I FIND ONE?
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS: APPLICATIONS

• Consumer segment, e.g. cameras, camcorders, VCRs, washers, microwave ovens, ...
• Automobiles, e.g., engine control, anti-lock brake, air bags, ...
• Office automation, e.g., copiers, printers, FAX machines, ...
• Telecommunications, e.g.,, cellular phones, PDAs, interactive game boxes,
answering machines, ...
• Other industrial products, e.g., door locks in hotel rooms, automatic faucets, ...
ARE EMBEDDED SYSTEMS COMMON?

• Yes, embedded systems are very common and are found in a wide range of
devices and systems that we use in our daily lives.
• These systems are designed to perform specific tasks or functions within a
larger system and are typically embedded into the hardware of the device.
• Embedded systems account for nearly 99% of all the microprocessors in use.
Conversely, only. 1% of them are found in PCs.
CLASSIFICATION OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
Embedded Systems are classified based on the two factors i.e.
1. Performance and Functional Requirements
2. Performance of Micro-controllers
CLASSIFICATION PERFORMANCE AND
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Are classified into 4
1. Real-Time Embedded Systems : A Real-Time Embedded System is strictly time specific
which means these embedded systems provides output in a particular/defined time
interval.
Examples :
Traffic control system
Military usage in defense sector
Medical usage in health sector
CLASSIFICATION PERFORMANCE AND
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

2. Stand Alone Embedded Systems : Stand Alone Embedded Systems are

independent systems which can work by themselves they don’t depend on a
host system. It takes input in digital or analog form and provides the output.
Examples :
MP3 players
Microwave ovens
calculator
CLASSIFICATION PERFORMANCE AND
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

3. Networked Embedded Systems : Networked Embedded Systems are

connected to a network which may be wired or wireless to provide output to
the attached device. They communicate with embedded web server through
network. Examples :
Home security systems
ATM machine
Card swipe machine
CLASSIFICATION PERFORMANCE AND
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

4. Mobile Embedded Systems : Mobile embedded systems are small and easy
to use and requires less resources. They are the most preferred embedded
systems. In portability point of view mobile embedded systems are also best.
Examples :
MP3 player
Mobile phones
Digital Camera
 CLASSIFICATION PERFORMANCE AND MICRO-
CONTROLLER
divided into 3 types
1. Small Scale Embedded Systems : Small Scale Embedded Systems are designed using an 8-bit or
16-bit micro-controller. They can be powered by a battery. The processor uses very less/limited
resources of memory and processing speed.
2. Medium Scale Embedded Systems : Medium Scale Embedded Systems are designed using an 16-
bit or 32-bit micro-controller. These medium Scale Embedded Systems are faster than that of
small Scale Embedded Systems. Integration of hardware and software is complex in these systems
3. Sophisticated or Complex Embedded Systems : Sophisticated or Complex Embedded Systems are
designed using multiple 32-bit or 64-bit micro-controller. These systems are developed to perform
large scale complex functions. These systems have high hardware and software complexities.
 EMBEDDED DEVICES VS GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS
Category Computer Embedded device

Computers can be reprogrammed for a new Embedded Devices are made only for a specific set of
Purpose
purpose. purposes.
Parts It has 2 parts: Hardware and Software. It has 3 parts: Hardware, Firmware, and Software.
Tasks It can perform many tasks. It performs limited tasks.
Cost to user The user has to pay more for a computer. The user incurs a lesser cost for an embedded
system.
Computers can be reprogrammed for a new Embedded Devices are made only for a specific set of
Purpose
purpose. purposes.

The computer needs more operational power An embedded Device needs lesser operational power
Power Consumption
than Embedded Devices. than a Computer.
Computers are more complex devices than Embedded Devices are less complex devices than
Complexity
Embedded Devices. Computers.
Computers are usually bigger with larger
Embedded Devices are smaller in size than
Size hardware and input-output devices attached to
Computers, with limited hardware.
them.
Computers have larger memory requirements
Memory Requirement Embedded Devices need less Memory.
due to a lot of storage of data.
EMBEDDED SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• 1.Embeds hardware to give computer like functionalities

• 2. Embeds main application software generally into flash or ROM and the
application software performs concurrently the number of tasks.
• 3.Embeds a real time operating system ( RTOS), which supervises the
application software tasks running on the hardware and organizes the
accesses to system resources according to priorities and timing constraints of
tasks in the system.
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS