Introduction to Embedded

Systems
Read Chapter 1
(David E. Simon, An Embedded
Software Primer)

What is an Embedded System

(E.S.)?

Specialized computer system

Part of a larger system or machine
An embedded system usually contains
an embedded processor and a
memory, do not have keyboards,
screens or disk drives usually.
Some embedded systems include an
operating system

What is an Embedded System

(E.S.)?

Typically a custom system for a very

specific application
Limited processing capabilities:
Can be extremely small
Can require a small amount of power

Can have significant real-time constraints

Act on inputs very quickly
Generate high-frequency outputs

Often a higher expectation of reliability

Examples of Embedded Systems

Examples of Embedded Systems

Examples of Embedded Systems

VCRs, DVD players

Cell phone
Microwave
Washer
Camera
Cars (antilock brake system, air-bag, gas
injection..)
Printers, copiers

Characteristics of embedded
systems

Application Specific Systems

Embedded systems are not general-purpose

computers
Optimized for a specific application
Many of the job characteristics are known before
the hardware is designed
Embedded S/W usually cannot run on other
embedded systems without modification
Hardware tailored to application

Unnecessary circuitry eliminated

Resources shared if possible

Characteristics of embedded
systems

Reactive Systems

typical embedded systems model

responds to the environment via sensors
and control the environment using
actuators
requires embedded systems to run at the
speed of the environment
this characteristic is called reactive.
External events can be either periodic or
aperiodic

Characteristics of embedded
systems

Harsh environment( )

Many embedded systems do not operate in a

controlled environment
Excessive heat is often a problem, especially in
applications involving combustion (e.g., many
transportation applications)
protection from vibration, shock, lightning,
power supply fluctuations, water, corrosion, fire,
and general physical abuse
challenges to the embedded system designer,
including accurately modeling the thermal
conditions of these systems

Characteristics of embedded
systems

System safety and reliability

embedded systems control more and more

of the safety aspects of the overall system
these safety measures may be in the form of
software as well as hardware control
challenges to embedded designers include
designing reliable software and building
cheap, available systems using unreliable
components

Characteristics of embedded
systems

Small and low weight

many embedded computers are

physically located within some larger
system
challenge is to develop non-rectangular
geometries for certain solutions
weight can also be a critical constraint

Other differences from desktop

Human interface varies

Flashing light

Diagnostic port used for diagnosing

the controlled system not the
computer
FPGA and ASIC and non-digital H/W
used to increase performance or
safety

Generic embedded system

Processor

Just enough to get the job done

Register width is important

General purpose 32- bit and 64- bit

Embedded processors 8- and 16-bit

Memory

ROM (executable program)

RAM (data to manipulate)

Generic embedded system

Development cost

Number of units
Expected lifetime

Dependent of product

High volume products can stand for a higher

development cost

Smaller volume is more sensitive to

development cost

Drives design decisions

Reliability

Children's toys do not always have to work right

Space shuttle is a different story

Common design requirements

Criterion

Low

Medium

High

Processor

4- or 8- bit

16-bit

32- or 64-bit

Memory

< 16 KB

64 KB to 1 MB

> 1 MB

Development
cost

< $100,000

$100,000 to
$1,000,000

> $1,000,000

Production cost

< $10

$10 to $1000

> $1,000

Number of units

< 100

100-10,000

> 10,000

Expected
lifetime

Days, weeks, or
months

Years

Decades

Reliability

May occasionally Must work

fail
reliably

Must be fail
proof

Embedded Systems Challenges

Lets consider the Telegraph and Cordless

Bar-code scanner for example.
Throughput
Response
Testability
Debugability
Reliability
Memory Space
Program Installation
Power Consumption
Cost

Evolution of Embedded Systems

Hardwired systems initially

Microprocessor-based
Microcontroller-based
Specialized (application) processors

Evolution of Embedded Systems

Address Bus
Digital outputs (parallel port) LED

Memory
System

Digital inputs (parallel input)

I/O

Data Bus

Microcontroller
USB
802.11
Specialized Processors

LCD

Switch

Serial port
Analog input/output Temperature
Sensor

Evolution of Embedded Systems

Popular microcontrollers

8-bit : Intel 8051, Intel 80188,

Motorola 6805, Motorola 68hc11, Zilog
16-bit: Intel 80186, Motorola 683xx
family
32-bit: Intel 80386 EX, PowerPC family
More recent:
ATMEL line of products, TI DSPs

Embedded programming
languages

C has become the language of embedded

programmers
Advantages of C

Small

Easy to learn

Wide compiler support

Large body of experience

Processor independent

Low level programming language

C gives embedded programmers large degree of

direct hardware control

Produces relatively compact efficient code for a wide

variety of processors

No more assembly required (mostly)

Trends in embedded systems

Increasing code size

average code size for embedded systems
has been increasing dramatically

1992; avg code size - range of 16-64K bytes

1996; the average size had grown to 64K-512K
This trend is continuing

Migration to higher level language from

assembly

As applications become more and more complex,

programmers are transitioning to higher level
languages for productivity reasons

Trends in embedded systems

Increasing reuse of pre-designed

components

these include DSP chips as well as other

microprocessors and microcontrollers

Migration to a core-based design

Systems becoming more complex and

heterogeneous
There are more ASIC-based designs with high
speed as well as high integration
Larger microprocessors are used with 32-bit
processors becoming the norm

The embedded lifecycle