INTRODUCTION

TO EMBEDDED
SYSTEMS

Agenda : Introduction- What is an

Embedded System
History
What is inside the embedded
system
Block diagram of Embedded
System
Architecture of embedded system
Features
Classification of embedded
systems

What is an embedded system?

EMBEDDED SYSTEM
HARDWARE

SOFTWARE

An embedded system is one that has

computer hardware and software
embedded in it as one of its components.
It can also be defined as the
microprocessor based system that does
not look like a computer.

History
First modern embedded system was the Apollo
Guidance computer developed by Charles Stark
Draper at the MIT instrumentation Laboratory. An
early mass produced embedded system was the
Autonetics D-17 guidance computer for the
minuteman missile released in 1961.
Since these early applications in 1960s
embedded systems have come down in price and
there has been a dramatic rise in processing power
and functionality.

MINUTEMAN DISK
D-17

What is inside the embedded system

Every embedded system consists of

custom built hardware built around a
Central Processing Unit (CPU). This
memory hardware also contains memory
chips onto which the software is loaded.
The software residing on the memory chip
is also called the Firmware.
HARDWA
RE
CPU

MEMORY
I\O
DEVICES

SOFTWARE

+ APPLICATION
OS
DEVICE
DRIVERS

EMBEDDED
SYSTEMS

Layered Architecture of an
Embedded System
Application
Software
Operating
System

Hardwar
e

Block diagram of
embedded system
MEMORY

A\D

SENSORS

CPU

SOFTWAR
E

D\A

ACTUATO
RS

Hardware Architecture of an
Embedded System
Read
Only
Memory

Input
Devices

Random
Access
Memory

Central
Processing Unit
(CPU)

ApplicationSpecific
Circuitry

Outpu
t
Devic
es

Communicati
on Interfaces

Blocks of Hardware of
Embedded System
Central Processing unit
Memory (Read only Memory and
Random Access Memory)
Input Devices
Output Devices
Communication Interfaces
Application- Specific Circuitry

Features of Embedded
Systems
They are constrained for power. The
power consumption is very low.
They are highly reliable.
Wide variety of operating systems
and processors are used in embedded
systems.
They have a very low cost.
They are small in size.

Classification of Embedded
Systems

Stand Alone Embedded Systems

Real Time Embedded Systems
Network Information Appliances
Mobile Devices

Stand Alone Embedded

Systems

As the name implies this systems work in stand alone

modes.

INPUT

PROCE
SS

ELECTRIC OR
AL
SIGNALS

ELECTRI OR HUMA
CAL
N
SIGNALS
ACTIVI
TY

Uses :

PROCCE
S
CONTRO
L

OUTP
UT

AUTOMOBI
LES

ELECTRO
NIC
ITEMS

LED/LC
D
DISPLA
Y

Real Time Embedded

Systems
A system in which work has to be done in a specific
time period.
HARD REAL TIME

Missile
embedded
with a
tracking
system
SOFT REAL TIME

DVD PLAYER

Aircraf
t

NETWORKED INFORMATION APPLIANCES

Exa mple s : A web camera can be connected

to the internet . The web camera can send
pictures in real time to any computer
connected t o internet.

SYSTEMS

NETWOR
K
INTERFAC
E

NETWOR
K
LOCAL
AREA
NETWO
RK

INTERN
ET

Web

MOBILE DEVICES
The limitations of the
Mobile devices memory
Constraints , small size, lack of
Good user interfaces such as full
PDA
Fledged keyboard and display.
Above limitations same as
embedded systems. Hence mobile
Phones are called embedded
Systems.

MOBIL
E

SMART PHONE

Languages for Programming

Embedded systems
Assembly language used for
programming recently.
New languages developed for
programming like Ada, Forth, Java.
Majority of software C language used.
Recent survey 45% still use C language.
C is very close to assembly programming
and allows easy access to underlying
hardware.
C++ is also increasing presence in the
systems which is based on C language.

Advantages

Design and efficiency

Compact devices
Cost effective
Maintenance
Redundancies

Disadvantages
Embedded Systems do a very
specific task
Have limited resources.
They dont have secondary
storage device.
Need designers, debuggers,
compilers.

Applications
Embedded Systems Everywhere: Biomedical Instrumentation-

ECG
RECORDER

PATIENT MONITOR
SYSTEM

Communication System-

PAGER

TRANSRECIE

FAX
MACHINE

 Peripheral controllers of a
computer-

KEYBOARD
CONTROLLER

LAN
CONTROLLER

DISK DRIVE
CONTROLLER

Industrial Instrumentation-

DC MOTOR
CONTROLLER

CNC
MACHINE

PROCESS
CONTROLLER

 Scientific-

CRT DISPLAY
CONTROLLER

SPECTRUM
ANALYZER

DIGITAL STORAGE
SYSTEM

Conclusion
Finally we can say that
embedded systems are those
electronic devices that
incorporate a computer (usually
a microprocessor or
microcontroller) within their
implementation. A computer is
used in such devices primarily as
a means to simplify the system
design and to provide flexibility.

ANY QUESTIONS TO ASK

THANK
YOU