A Brief Introduction to

Embedded Systems
K. Raghunathan
Chartered Engineer
FIETE, MIE, MCSI, MISTE, MISTD. MIIMM Retd. Dy. Controller (R&D)
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Embedded Systems
Overview of Embedded Systems Embedded System Design Embedded System Designer More Knowledge

K Raghu Nathan

Overview of Embedded Systems

What is an Embedded System ? Examples of Embedded Systems Why an Embedded System ? Salient Features

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What is an Embedded System ?

A computer system, fitted as part of some Equipment which is not a computer The whole system is not called a computer - it is known by the name of the Equipment The embedded computer system controls the equipment in which it is embedded Performs only specific tasks, often in real-time
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Examples of Embedded Systems

Network Printer
Network Interfacing & Routing

Handheld Barcode Scanner

Conversion of Image to Number

Mobile Phone with Internet Connectivity

Browsing, eMail, FTP, Chat etc

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Examples of Embedded Systems

CNC Machines & Robots
Control the Sequence of Operations

Satellites
Remote-sensing, Data-formatting, Communication, Navigation Control etc

Televison Set
Digital on-screen display of menu, channel number, subtitles etc

Washing Machines
Control of Sequence of Operations, Motor speed & duration control etc
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Why embed a Computer ?

Computers are more suitable for
Control Data Processing Decision Making Digital Communication

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Why embed a Computer ?

Main Equipment is Larger & Costlier; computer is smaller, cheaper & used for only some specific purpose Using General-purpose computer involves additional space & wiring. It is better to fit a small computer inside [or onto] the equipment itself often, main equipment itself may have to be small & portable
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Salient Features of Embedded Systems

Purpose & Functionality
Specific Purpose; Limited Functionality

Size
Small enough to fit into/onto the main eqpt

Real-Time
Response within a specified Time-limit

I/O Devices
Very Few; only a set of Sensors & Activators Conspicuous absence of conventional devices like keyboard, CRT screen, hard disk etc
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Embedded Systems
Overview of Embedded Systems Embedded System Design Embedded System Designer More Knowledge

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Embedded System Design

Selection of CPU & other Hardware Design of the Hardware System Design & Development of Software Testing & Debugging Loading the Software into the Embedded Systems Memory

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Selection of CPU & other Hardware

CPU
Speed Instruction Set Multitasking Capabilities Interrupt- handling Capabilities Power Consumption Heat Dissipation

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Memory
Non-Volatile [ROM/PROM/EPROM] Code Fixed Data
Look-Up Tables, Constants, Initial Values of Variables

Volatile [RAM] Variable Data temporary data

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I/O Devices
Depends on :
Main Equipment & its purpose/functions Purpose to be served by the embedded system

May also need :

HW & SW Interfaces or Drivers for the i/o devices

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Software Development
Software has to be developed on some other convenient computer system [Host System] The Code obtained in the Host system should run in the Embedded System [Target System]

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Software Development
HW configuration of Host & Target will be different
Should use Cross Compilers & Cross Assemblers on the Host, to get Target Systems Machine Code as the Output Often, an RTOS [Real Time Operating System] is used
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Software Development
Usually the SW is developed as a set of Tasks [functions/procedures] & ISRs [Interrupt Service Routines] Tasks perform some specific actions
most likely, some of the primary functions of the Main eqpt

ISRs interrupt running Tasks based on certain events [inputs from sensors]
to take appropriate action for those inputs to update data for the tasks
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Testing & Debugging

Often not possible to test the program by actually loading it into the target system & running it in the Main eqpt So, code has to be tested in the Host system itself Need Emulators which can emulate the embedded systems CPU

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Testing & Debugging

Drivers & Scaffolds to be written
to simulate actual inputs & behaviour of the main eqpt

Test Data
normally expected range of values out-of-range values erroneous data
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Loading SW in the Embedded Systems Memory

No operating system in the embedded system Code generated on the Host system should include start-up [initialising] routines for the target system Use of RTOS ensures automatic addition of start-up code
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Loading SW in the Embedded Systems Memory

Special programs called Locators enable developer to specify which blocks of code should be loaded at what addresses in the embedded systems memory Output of Locator is in the form of a file stored in the Host; this file will have a special format [not the standard executable file you get in desktop systems] Special programs called Loaders understand the Locators file format load the code in embedded systems memory 21 K Raghu Nathan

Tools for Embedded Software Development

Cross Compilers Cross Assemblers Locators RTOS Loaders
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RTOS
Cross-Compiler with extra features Easier Development Environment Produce Machine Code of Target CPU Automatic inclusion of Start-up Code Many RTOSes available
iRMX86, uC-OS, VxWorks, pSOS, QNX etc allow us to develop programs using C/C++

Many of them written in C/C++

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RTOS
Main Features
Multi-tasking Task Scheduling Policies Mutual Exclusion using Semaphores Message Queues, Mailboxes and/or Pipes for Inter-Process Communication

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Hardware Design Considerations

Physical Size
Small

Power Consumption
Low

Heat Dissipation
Very Low

Cost
Low cost, without compromising Quality & Performance
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Software Design Considerations

Real Time Response
No part of the code can take unpredictable execution time ISRs must be kept short No Dead-Locks or Circular Waits

Reliability
Should run without Human Intervention Should NOT Crash Robust & Fault Tolerant Exception Handling without Malfunction or unpredictable behaviour K Raghu Nathan

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Embedded Systems
Overview of Embedded Systems Embedded System Design Embedded System Designer More Knowledge

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Embedded System Designer

Specialist Knowledge of Theory & Practical Techniques of both Hardware & Software Strong Foundation in
Digital Logic Ckts, ADCs, DACs, PLCs, FPGAs Microcontrollers & Interfacing Techniques Assembly Language Programming High Level Language Programming [C/C++] Writing ISRs RTOS
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Job Oppurtunities
Employers
Manufacturers of
Telecom Products Automatons & Industrial Robots Automated Production & Diagnostic Eqpt

Software Development Firms

Remuneration
Lucrative

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Embedded Systems
Overview of Embedded Systems Embedded System Design Embedded System Designer More Knowledge

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For More Knowledge

Books Hands-on Training

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Books on Embedded Systems

An Embedded System Primer
David E Simon

Embedded System Design

Steve Heath The Art of Programming Embedded Systems Jack G Ganssle

Fundamentals of Embedded Software - Where C and Assembly Meet

Daniel W Lewis

Real Time Systems & Programming Languages

Alan Burns & Andy Wellings

Real Time Programming

Moore Grehan
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Training on Embedded Systems

TCIL, & their Branches & Franchisees Telecom Consultants India Ltd
formed by DoT

ECIL, Hyderabad
Electronic Corporation of India Ltd

Many institutes boast of embedded system training

teach only soldering & assembling using kits do not teach theory or design
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Thank You !

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