Computer Systems

Introductio

There are two different class of computers:

General Purpose Computer System (GPCS):
Example: Desktop and Laptop
In this type of computer many different software can be installed
and run to do many different jobs. Example, MSWord software
does the word-processing job
Application Specific Computer (ASC)
(Also called Embedded System)
Example: Computer used in mobile telephone, video camera and
many other intelligent electronic devices
In this type of computer a specific software runs all the time and
does a single specific job. An ASC is very small in size (typically,
just a small PCB and few ICs).
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What is an Embedded System?

Introductio

A broad definition: any computing system other than a

desktop
Another definition: combination of computer hardware
and software designed to perform a specific function
Existing everywhere from aerospace to the heart of
earth
Satellite, plane, automobile, PDA, router,
submarine, GPS, mobile phone

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Embedded System Characteristics

Introductio

Single function
Extra constraints
Size, power, cost, real-time, safety critical
Hardware/software co-design
Few resources
Special tools

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Comparison with Computer System

Introductio

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Computer Components

Introductio

A computer has Hardware and Software

Hardware is physical components
Software is computer program (step-by-step instruction)
that tells the hardware to do the job

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Computer Components

Introductio

Hardware Types
Hardware has two main types: System Unit and Peripheral
Devices
1. System Unit

Central Processing Unit (CPU) does the actual

processing/computation
Example: Intel Pentium 4

Internal Memory stores program that takes part in the

CPU, input data that is used by the CPU and output data
from the CPU
Example: RAM and ROM

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Computer Components

Introductio

Hardware Types (Continue)

2. Peripheral Devices

Input Devices: devices to give data or instruction to the

CPU
Example: Keyboard and Mouse

Output Devices: devices to receive computed results from

CPU
Example: Monitor and Printer

Auxiliary Storage: to store data, files and programs for

preservation even when computer is OFF
Example: Floppy Disk, Hard disk and CDROM

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Computer Components

Introductio

Software Types
Software has two main types:
Operating System (System
Software)
Application Software

Operating
System

Application software is the one

written for doing specific job.
Example, MSWord is an application
software for word processing jobs

Application
Software

Hardware

Operating system is a software to

make all the application software
understandable to the hardware.
Example: Windows and Unix
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Embedded System

Introductio

Embedded system is very small computing engine

(Hardware + Software) built in a single circuit board with few
ICs
Embedded system is generally used in a system which is not a
computer but needs some intelligent control system
Embedded system includes processors, memory, input/output
port, operating system and an application program all are
smaller and simpler than those of a general purpose computer.
Embedded system receives some signals at its input and
computes some output which is sent to its output port. In
portable digital audio player the input ports are usually
connected to some storage device (like CDROM, CF, MMC
and so on) and output ports are usually connected to
headphones.
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