EMBEDDED SYSTEMS & MEMS

TECHNOLOGY
.

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT
"Embedded systems have virtually entered every sphere
of our lives"
Embedded systems encompass a variety of hardware and software
components, which perform specific functions in host systems, for example,
satellites, washing machines, hand-held telephones and automobiles. Embedded
systems have become increasingly digital with a non-digital periphery (analog
power) and therefore, both hardware and software co-design is relevant. The vast
majority of computers manufactured are used in such systems. They are called
'embedded' to distinguish them from standard mainframes, workstations, and PCs.
Although the design of embedded systems has been used in industrial practice for
decades, the systematic design of systems has only recently gained increased
attention. Advances in microelectronics have made possible applications that would
have been impossible without an embedded system design.
Embedded system applications will be of great interest to researchers and
designers working in the design of embedded systems for industrial applications. It
incorporates short range wireless connectivity ( e.g., Bluetooth) and Internet
connectivity (e.g., GPRS) in a mobile device.
Embedded systems have virtually entered every sphere of our lives, right
from the time we work out on trade mills in the gym, to that generalization is
difficult the cars we drive today. Embedded systems cover a broad range of
products.

CONTENTS
p

ageno

*INTRODUCTION

*EMBEDDED SYTEMS AND REAL TIME SYSTEMS

*COMPONENTS OF AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM

-Processor

-Memory

-Peripherals -Hardware Timers - Software

*EMBEDDED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

*SIMULATOR&EMULATOR

5
6

*APPLICATIONS & CHALLENGES FOR SYSTEM DEVELOPERS

* FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

*CONCLUSION

Introduction of an Embedded system

Definition of an Embedded system
An embedded system is various type of computer system or computing
device that performs a dedicated function and/or is designed for use with a specific
embedded software application. Embedded systems may use a combination of
'Read-only' as well as with 'Read-Write' based operating system. But an embedded
system is not usable as a commercially viable substitute for general-purpose
computers or devices. An embedded system is various type of computer system or
computing device that performs a dedicated function and/or is designed for use with
a specific embedded software application. For instance, consider the embedded
system used for flight control.
Definition of an Embedded OS
An embedded operating system is the software program that manages all the
other programs in an embedded device after initial load of programs by a boot
loader.
It normally guarantees a certain capability within a specified storage size and
time constraint as well as with application programs. It also normally has small foot
print including initial boot loader, OS kernel, required device drivers, file systems for
the user data and so forth. It has very-likely structure of a normal operating system
however mainly differentiated by some factors such as type of pre-installed device,
functional limits, taking designed job only.
Embedded systems posses the following distinguishing qualities.
Reliability:
Embedded system should be very reliable as they perform critical
Failure of the embedded system could have disastrous consequences. Hence
embedded system programmers should take into consideration all possibilities and
write programs that do not fail.
Responsiveness:
Embedded systems should respond to events as soon as possible.
For instance, a patient monitoring system should process the patient's heart signals
quickly and immediately notify if any abnormality in the signals is detected.

Specialized hardware:
Since embedded systems are used for performing specific functions,
specialized hardware is used. For example, embedded systems that monitor and
analyze audio signals use signal processors.
Low cost:
As embedded systems are extensively used in consumer electronic systems,
they are cost sensitive. Thus their cost must be low.

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS AND REAL TIME SYSTEMS:

Embedded systems are confused with real-time systems. A real time system
is one in which the correctness of the computations not only depends on the
accuracy of the result, but also on the time when the result is produced.

COMPONENTS OF AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM:

Embedded systems have the following components.
PROCESSOR:
A processor fetches instructions from the memory unit and executes the
instructions. An instruction consists of an instruction code and the operands on
which the instruction should act upon. The format of instruction code And operands
of a processor is defined by the processor's instruction set. Each type of processor
has its own instruction set. Performance of the system can be improved by
dedicated processors, which implement algorithms in hardware using building
blocks such as hardware counters and multipliers.
MEMORY:
The memory unit in an embedded system should have low access time a high
density. (A memory chip-has greater density if it can store more bits in the same
amount of space. Memory in an embedded system consist of ROM and RAM. The
contents of ROM are non-volatile while RAM is volatile. ROM stores the program
code while RAM is used to store transient input or output data. Embedded systems
generally do not possess secondary storage devices such as magnetic disks. As
programs of embedded systems are small there is no need of virtual storage.
PERIPHERALS:
Peripherals are input and output devices connected to the serial and
parallel ports of the embedded system. Serial port transfers one bit at a time
between the peripheral and the microprocessor. Parallel ports transfer an entire
word consisting of many bits simultaneously between the peripheral and the
microprocessor. Programmable interface devices which act as an interface between

microprocessor with peripherals provide flexibility since they can be programmed to

perform I/O on different peripherals. The microprocessor monitors the inputs from
peripherals and performs actions when certain events occur. For instance, when
sensors indicate the level of water in the washtub of a washing machine is above
the present level, the microprocessor starts the wash cycle.
HARDWARE TIMERS:
The clock pulses of the microprocessor periodically update hardware
timers. The timers count the clock pulses and interrupt the processor at regular
intervals of time to perform periodic tasks.
SOFTWARE:
Due to the absence of secondary storage devices in an embedded
system, program code and constant data reside in the ROM. During execution of the
program, storage space for variables is allocated in the RAM. The program should
execute continuously and should be capable of handling all possible exceptional
conditions. Hence the programs generally do not call the function exit.
Real -time embedded systems posses an RTOS (Real Time Operating
System). The RTOS consists of a scheduler that manages the execution of multiple
tasks in the embedded systems. EMBEDDED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT:
Programmers who write programs for desktop computers do their work on
the same kind of computer on which their application will run. A programmer
developing a program to run on a Linux machine edits the program, compiles it and
debugs it on a Linux machine. This approach cannot be used for embedded system.
For example, the absence of a keyboard in the embedded system rules out editing a
program in the embedded system. So, most of the programming work for an
embedded system, which includes writing, compiling, assembling and linking the
program, is done on a general purpose computer called a host that had all the
required programming tools. The final executable consisting of machine code is then
transferred to the embedded system.
Programs are written on the host in a high level language (such as in C) or
assembly language of the target system's processor. The program files written in
the high level language are compiled on the host using a cross- compiler to obtain
the corresponding object files.
The assembly language files are assembled on the host using a crossassembler to obtain the object files. The object files produced by cross-compilers
and cross assemblers contain instructions that are understood by the target's
processor (native compilers and assemblers on the other hand produce object files
containing instructions that are understood by the host's processor).

The object files are linked using a specialized linker called locator to obtain
the executable code. This executable code is stored in the ROM. Since the program
code already resides in memory, there is no need for a loader in an embedded
system. In personal computers, on the other hand, the loader has to transfer the
program code from the magnetic disk to memory to execute the program.
The binary code obtained be translating an assembly language program
using an assembler is smaller and runs faster than the binary code obtained by
translating a high level language using a compiler since the assembly language
gives the programmer complete control over the functioning of a processor. The
advantage of using a high level language is that a program written in a high level
language is easier to understand and maintain than a program written in assembly
language. Hence time-critical applications are written in assembly language while
complex applications are written in a high level language.

Files
containing
source code
in a high
level
language

Files
containing
source code
in targets
assembly
language

Cross-Compiler

Cross - Assembler

Object files
containing
machine
code of the
target

Object Files
containing
machine code
of the target
Locator

Executable file

Fig: Software development on the host

SIMULATOR:
A simulator is software tool that runs on the host and simulates the
behavior of the target's processor and memory. The simulator knows the target
processor's architecture and instruction set. The program to be tested is read by the
simulator and as instructions are executed the simulator keeps track of the values

of the target processor's registers and the target's memory. Simulators provide
single step and breakpoint facilitics to debug the program. Simulators cannot be
used if the embedded system used special hardware that cannot be simulated and
the only way to test the program is to execute it on the target.
EMULATOR:
In emulator is a hardware tool that helps in testing and debugging the
program on the target. The target's processor is removed from the circuit and the
emulator is connected in the place. The emulator drives the signals in the circuit in
the same way as the target's processor and hence the emulator appears to be the
processor to all other components of the embedded system.

Applications:
Embedded systems have virtually entered every sphere of our lives, right
from the time we work out on trade mills in the gym, to the cars we drive today.
Embedded systems cover a broad range of products that generalization is
difficult. Some broad categories are:
. Aero Space and Defense electronics Flight safety, flight management,
fire control
. Automotive auto safety, braking and steering systems, car information
systems
. Broadcast and Entertainment audio control systems, camera systems,
DVD players
. Consumer/Internet Applications Handheld computers, internet hand held
devices, point- of-sale systems like ATM
. Medical Electronics _ car5diovascular devices, real time imaging system
(patient monitoring systems)..
. Mobile data infrastructures wireless LANS, pagers, wireless phones,
satellite terminals (VSATs)

CHALLENGES FOR SYSTEM DEVELOPERS:

In an embedded system, assigning functions to hardware and software is a
vital consideration. Hardware implementation has the advantage that the task
execution is faster than in software implementation. On the flip side, the hardware
chip occupies space, costs money, and consumes power. Porting a readily available
OS to the processor or writing embedded software without any OS embedded into

the system are the main challenges. Developing, testing, and debugging
input/output interfaces in embedded systems are even more challenging.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS:
A refrigerator that tells you the expiry date of the yogurt, a
micro oven that helps you to view different recipes that can be cooked and even
gives ideas on serving, a future home that is completely wired with the ability to
control every appliance from almost any where. All this may seem incredible today,
but it wont be too long before such appliances are produced for mass usage. In
future it is possible to have an embedded internet that connects different
embedded systems on a single network.
CONCLUSION:
Embedded systems have requirements that differ significantly from
general purpose computers. The main goal of an embedded system developer is to
design a lowest cost system that performs the desired tasks without failing. While
the hardware approach improves performance, the software approach provides
flexibility. Recent developments in hardware software co-design permit tradeoffs
between hardware and software for cost-effective embedded systems.

MEMS TECHNOLOGY
Introduction

FIGURE: A mite less than 1mm on a MEMS device

MEMS is an acronym of MICRO ELECTRO MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
Micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) is the technology of the very small,
and merges at the nano - scale into Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (NEMS)
and Nano Technology. It is a combination of electrical and mechanical devices on a single
chip IC.

It was invented by Mr. Richard Feynman in 1959. The first commercial

application was introduced in 1970 in unpredictable air bags. It is a micro machine
but it releases macro thoughts. MEMS generally range in size from a micrometer (a
millionth of a meter) to a millimeter (thousandth of a meter). At these size scales,
the standard constructs of classical physics do not always hold true (as in the above
picture).
It is a latest technology but not a latter technology. It is called several
countries in several names, for instance micro technology in Japan, is called
micro machine in USA and in India, it is called MEMS.
MEMS is an enabling technology allowing the development of smart
products, augmenting the computational ability of microelectronics with the
perception and control capabilities of micro sensors and micro actuators and
expanding the space of possible designs and applications.
After Information technology MEMS may be the next technological forte of
our country.

MEMS description
Developments in the field of semiconductors are leading to integrated circuits
with three-dimensional features and even moving parts. Such devices, called Micro
Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), can resolve many problems that a
microprocessor plus software or hardwired ASIC (Application Specific Integrated
Chip) cannot. MEMS technology can be implemented using a number of different
materials and manufacturing techniques; the choice of which will depend on the
device being created and the market sector in which it has to operate.

COMPONENTS & STRUCTURES: There are four components are used in MEMS
such as micro sensors, micro electronics, micro actuators and passive micro
structures.
Micro sensors, Micro electronics and Micro actuators are commonly platform
using Micro fabrication technology. Sometimes passive Structures are also found on
MEMS.
The electronics components are fabricated using IC processing. The
mechanical components are fabricated using Micro machining.

Micro sensor
Micro
electronics

MEMS

Passive micro
structures

Micro actuators

FUNCTIONING OF MEMS:

Phenomeno
n

Sensor

Electroni
cs

Actuator
s

Accomplish
ed Task

Sensor:
It acts as an eye of the MEMS. The Sensors collects the
information from the environment by measuring mechanical, thermal, biological,
optical and magnetic phenomena.
Electronics:
It acts as a brain of the MEMS. The electronics within the MEMS process the
information derived from the sensor and gives the control signal to the actuator by
Moving, positioning, regulation and pumping.
Micro actuators:
It acts as a hand of the MEMS. This is manipulate the environment for
the desired purpose by filtering, controlling.

FABRICATION OF MEMS & NANOTECHNOLOGY:

MEMS and Nano

devices are extremely small -- for example, MEMS and Nanotechnology has made
possible electrically-driven motors smaller than the diameter of a human hair (right)
-- but MEMS and Nanotechnology is not primarily about size.
MEMS and Nanotechnology is also not about making things out of
silicon, even though silicon possesses excellent materials properties, which make it
an attractive choice for many high-performance mechanical applications; for
example, the strength-to-weight ratio for silicon is higher than many other
engineering materials which allows very high-bandwidth mechanical devices to be
realized.

ADVANTAGES OF MEMS AND NANO MANUFACTURING

First, MEMS and Nanotechnology are extremely diverse technologies that

could significantly affect every category of commercial and military product. MEMS
and Nanotechnology are already used for tasks ranging from in-dwelling blood
pressure monitoring to active suspension systems for automobiles. The nature of
MEMS and Nanotechnology and its diversity of useful applications make it
potentially a far more pervasive technology than even integrated circuit microchips.

MANUFACTURING PROCESSES:
It has three processes such as
1. Bulk micro machining
2. Surface micro machining
3. LIGA and DRIE.
1. Bulk Micro Machining:
In Bulk micro machining of silicon, wet chemicals are used (Silicon Oxide,
Silicon nitrate or metals (Au, Ti etc)).
In this process large portion of the substrate are removed to form the desired
structure. This process includes fabrication of resistors (called piezo resistors) on
one side of the wafer and machining on the other side to form diaphragm, pressure
sensors and accelerometers etc.
2. Surface Micro Machining:
Polycrystalline silicon carbide ( poly sic) has been surface Micromachining.
Electrical, structured and sacrificial layers are three layers employed in this process.
a) Electrical Layers:
Conduct electrical signal to and from the MEMS structure.
b) Structured Layers:
Form the mechanical body of the MEMS.
c) Sacrificial Layers.
It served the purpose of releasing (making defect able and movable) the structured
layers. It uses to make a micrometer.
Surface Micro Machining is shown in the below figure

Poly SiC

Al

Poly Si

Sio2

3. LIGA and DRIE:

LIGA (Lithographic Galvanoformung Abformung)
LIGA is used to form micron sized structure. In this process combine IC lithography,
electroplating and molding to obtain depth.
It has two advantages
1. Material other than silicon can be used.
2. High aspect ratio can be built.

MANUFACTURING OF MEMS:
MEMS technology is based on a number of tools and methodologies, which
are used to form small structures with dimensions in the micrometer scale (one
millionth of a meter). Significant parts of the technology have been adopted from
integrated circuit (IC) technology. For instance, almost all devices are built on wafers
of silicon, like ICs. A MEMS process is usually a structured sequence of these
operations to form actual devices. It has been classified into three steps, such as
1. Deposition, 2.Etching and 3. Lithography
1. Deposition
MEMS Thin Film Deposition Processes. One of the basic building blocks in
MEMS processing is the ability to deposit thin films of material. In this text we
assume a thin film to have a thickness anywhere between a few nanometer to
about 100 micrometer. MEMS deposition technology can be classified in two groups:
a) Depositions that happen because of a chemical reaction:

1. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

The most important CVD in MEMS are
# Low Pressure CVD
# Plasma Enhanced CVD
2. Electro deposition
They are basically classified into two technologies. They are
#Electro Plating
#Electroless Plating
3. Epitaxy
In this process the most important is Vapour phase Epitaxy (VPE)
In this process the no of gases are introduced
4. Thermal oxidation
These processes exploit the creation of solid materials directly from chemical
reactions in gas and/or liquid compositions or with the substrate material. The solid
material is usually not the only product formed by the reaction. Byproducts can
include gases, liquids and even other solids.
b) Depositions that happen because of a physical reaction:
1. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
In this process the material is released from a source and transferred to the
substrate>
It has two most technologies
#Evaporation
#Sputerring
2. Casting
It is a simple Technology which can be used for a variety of materials (mostly
polymers)
2. Etching:
It is divided into two classes

*Wet Etching
The material is dissolved when immersed in a chemical solution.
*Dry Etching
The material is dissolved using reactive icons.
3. Lithography:
In general, lithography is an image transfer processing using UV light Electron
beam, Laser and X- ray. The MEMS context is typically the transfer of a pattern to
photo sensitive material by selective exposure to a radiation source such as light.

MIRACLE BUT TRUTH

Imagine tiny dust particle floating in the air that collecting information on the
weather, humidity and air pollution in our locality
Microscopic scrapers injected in to the arterials of patients to clean the
germs. Your favourite movies collection on a square millimetier ultra thin chip.
APPLICATIONS
1. Consumers Applications:
Washing Machine, Refrigerator, Air Conditioner, Toys and Safety System.
2. Communications:
MEMS offer seamless miniaturization of antenna, switches and microphones.
3. Computers
Read write head of the hard disk and floppy disk, Ink jet printer nozzles,
thermal and Piezo electric print heads.
4. Life Science:
Hearing aids, Electronic pace makers, medical sciences, Food and Drink
industry and Environmental Sensing
5. Automobiles:
Gear Trains, micro motors, cranks, anchors, candilivers and diaphragms and
to measure the tyre pressures, inject the fuel efficiency.
6. Aero Space:
Space crafts, air planes, satellites, micro engines and micro turbines.

7. Military:
Night vision devices, Micro Cameras and micro spying systems.

ADVANTAGES OF MEMS:
1. High Accuracy.
2. Small Size
3. Fast Response time.
4. High precision.
5. Systems Integration.
6. Low Cost

DISADVANTAGES OF MEMS:
1. The overall silicon area is larger.
2. High potentials.
3. Low force.
4. Non Linearity.

FUTURE:
1. Use of different types of MEMS sensors and controls can make driverless vehicles
a reality.
2. We might see wrist watch like mobile phones and other communication systems.
3. New applications in fermentation control, agriculture and antibiotic weapons may
also be developed.
4. We will be able to see newly released movies on a big screen directly in the
controls of our home.

GREAT SUCCESS:
MEMS based electronic systems and electric simulator electrodes can be
successfully utilized to begin the sight of a few blind candidates.

CONCLUSION:
It is a micro machine but it releases macro thoughts.

It is a latest technology; but not a latter technology.

Its applications are miracle but they are all truth.
After Information Technology MEMS may be the next technological forte of
our country.