A Seminar On Embedded

Systems
By
M.SURESH

Contents

Introduction to Embedded Systems

Design Issues
Embedded software Development
Hardware for Embedded Systems
Types of memory
Embedded languages
Application
conclusion

What is an Embedded
System ?
An embedded system is a combination of the computer
hardware and software accomplished with additional
mechanical or other parts designed to perform a specific
function.
Embedded software is an almost every electronic device in
the use today. There is a software hidden away inside our
watches, VCR's, cellular phones
A well-designed embedded system conceals the existence
of the processor and the software .
Each embedded System is unique, and the hardware is
highly specialized to the application domain.

How does an Embedded

system differ from
An Embedded system is a specific to a application, whereas a
computer
system ?
computer system is generic.

Though the components are same there is substantial difference in

them.
A personal computer is not designed to perform a specific function,
rather it is able to do many things.
The essential difference is that a computer when manufactured is in
blank state, the manufacturer does not know what the customer will do
with it, while an Embedded system is application specific.
An Embedded systems is a component within some large systems.
If required each of the embedded systems are connected by a sort of a
communication network.
Numerous embedded systems make up the computer system.

Embedded system Vs Real

time System
Real time system is a subclass of Embedded systems that
has strict timing constraints.
A real time system is specified in terms of its ability to
make certain calculations or decisions in a timely manner
to face the deadline.
A missed deadline is just as bad as a wrong answer which
is very crucial.
A real time system must be diligently designed which must
guarantee reliable operation of the hardware and the
software under all possible conditions.

A real time system has

two flavors
Hard Real time systems
Soft Real time Systems

A hard real time system guarantees that critical tasks be

completed on time, the goal requires that all the delays in the system
need to be bounded. The current task is of high priority and there shall
be no preemption.

A less restrictive type of real time system is a soft real time

system, where a critical real time task gets priority over other tasks,and
retains the priority until it completes its task.

A generic Embedded
System

All embedded systems

contain some type of inputs
and some outputs.
The outputs of the system
are the a function of its
input and several other
factors.
The inputs to the system
are control knobs and
buttons, the outputs are
typically the displays on
the front panel.

Memory

i/p

Processor

o/p

Common design
requirements

Processing power
Memory
Development cost
Number of units
Expected life time
Reliability

TECNOLOGIES
PROCESSOR TECHNOLOGIES
IC TECHNOLOGIES
DESIGN TECHNOLOGIES

Hardware for Embedded

Systems
Prior to writing software for an embedded system, one
must be familiar with the hardware on which it will run.
The processor and software pair can be replaced with a
custom integrated circuit that performs the same function
in hardware.
When the design is hard coded in this manner lot of
flexibility is lost.
Knowing the purpose of the hardware and making a data
flow diagram makes the task of the designer easy.
Each of the embedded system is unique and the hardware
is highly specialized to the application domain.

Common memory types in

Embedded Systems
Memory
RAM

Hybrid

ROM

DRAM SRAM NVRAM Flash EEPROM EPROM PROM Masked

Types of memory

Many types of memory devices are available for use in modern

embedded systems, the difference between them need to be known to
use them effectively.
Other than the ROM and RAM there is a third kind of memory device
called hybrid memory which exhibits some of the characteristics of
both.
Among all the types NVRAM, the non-volatile RAM is fairly common
in embedded systems, even after its high cost.

Embedded Languages

C has been the language of the embedded programmers. The inherent

advantages in this is that, it is fairly simple to learn, compilers are available
for almost every processor in use today.
C which is considered as a middle level language having both the constructs
of the low-level as well as high-level, has all the rich features in it that makes
it the choice of the embedded programmers.
Of course, C is not the only language used by embedded programmers there
are other languages like

Assembly language
C++
Ada

These languages though exists did not gain popularity as C.

Applications
Embedded software is in almost every electronic device
designed today.
Early embedded applications included unmanned space
probes,computerized traffic lights and air traffic control
systems.
There is software hidden away inside our watches,
microwaves, VCRs, cellular telephones, and pagers.
The military uses embedded software software to guide
smart missiles and detect enemy aircraft.
Communication satellites, space probes and modern
medicine would be nearly impossible without it.

Conclusion

Each of the embedded system is unique and the hardware is highly

specialized to the application domain. As a result, embedded systems
programming can be widely varying experience and can take years to
master.
One common denominator across almost all embedded software
development is the use of C programming language.
It seems inevitable that the number of embedded systems will continue
to increase rapidly.
Already there are promising new embedded devices that have
enormous market potential.
Individuals who possess the skills and desire to design the next
generation of embedded systems will be in demand for quite some
amount of time.

THANK
U
BY
M.SURESH