Lesson 1:

Topic:

A. Understanding General Embedded Applications

What is an Embedded System?
A specialized computer system that is part of a larger system or
machine.
Webopedia

an embedded system performs pre-defined tasks, usually

with very specific requirements. Since the system is dedicated to
a specific task, design engineers can optimize it, reducing the
size and cost of the product.
Wikipedia
Examples of Embedded Systems
Todays Design Challenges in Industry

The Engineering HW Problem:

The Challenge of Converging Complexities
Ethernet, USB, video, audio, (iPod, cell phone)

The Engineering SW Problem:

The Challenge of Exponential Firmware Growth
Approximately 50% of total production cost attributed to software development and growing
Many embedded based products complete behind schedule primarily to SW issues

The Product Design Cycle Problem:

The Challenge of Sophisticated Systems.
The Design Cycle
Design Test

System
Field Test
Specification

Design & Calibration &

Simulation Functional Test

Rapid System
Prototyping Test (HIL)

Code
Generation
Complex Control Applications

Flight Control
Precision Machine Control

Industrial Control

Motion Control Engine Control

How Do Engineers Reduce the Complexities When Building
Embedded Systems?
Deployment Price

Turnkey System

Modular Systems

ODM Boards
COTS Board

Custom
Boards

Standard

ASSP
Silicon

Systems Shipped per Year ASIC

Traditional Embedded Prototyping Design Time

Hardware Design: 2 weeks

Logic and Circuit Design: 2 weeks
Hardware Verification: 2 weeks
Software Design/Coding: 2 weeks
Software Integration: 2 weeks
System Testing/Certification: 2 weeks

TOTAL: 12 weeks, $50,000 to $150,000

Modular and COTS based Embedded Design

Hardware Design: 0 weeks

HW Verification: 0 weeks
Logic and Circuit Design: 0 weeks
Software Design/Coding: 1 week
Software Integration: 1 week
System Testing/Certification: 1 week

TOTAL: 3 weeks, $17,000 + Cost of PC

Common Hardware Design Architectures
Analog
I/O
Analog
I/O
Sensor
I/O
Sensor
I/O
Processor FPGA
Bus
Processor I/O
Bus USB,
I/O Ethernet
USB, Digital
Ethernet I/O
Digital
I/O Analog Sensor
I/O I/O

Processor
Bus
I/O
Digital
USB,
I/O
Ethernet
Common Embedded Communication Methods

SPI
I2C

Serial