1.1. What is an Embedded System?

An embedded system is combination of Hardware and Software to perform specific task.
Every embedded system is unique and the hardware as well as the firmware is highly specialized to
the application domain.
Embedded systems are becoming an inevitable part of any product or equipment in all fields
including household appliances, telecommunications, medical equipment, industrial control,
consumer products, etc.

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 1.2. Embedded Systems vs General Computing Systems
Criteria General Purpose Computing System Embedded System
Contents A system which is a combination of a A system which is a combination of special purpose
generic hardware and a General Purpose hardware and embedded OS for executing a
Operating System for executing a variety of specific set of applications.
applications.
It contains a general purpose operating It may or not contain an operating system for
OS system (GPOS). functioning.
Applications are alterable (programmable) The firmware of the embedded system is pre-
Alterations
by the user. (It is possible for the end user to programmed and it is non-alterable by the end-user.
re-install the OS and also add or remove user
applications.)
Key factor Performance is the key deciding factor in the Application specific requirements (like
selection of the system. Faster is better. performance, power requirements, memory usage,
etc.) are key deciding factors.
Power Consumption More Less

Response Time Not critical Critical for some applications

Execution Need not be deterministic Deterministic for certain types of ES like ‘Hard
Real Time’ systems.
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1.3 History of an Embedded Systems
•Here, are important milestones from the history of embedded system:
•In 1960, embedded system was first used for developing Apollo Guidance
System by Charles Stark Draper at MIT.
•In 1965, Autonetics, developed the D-17B, the computer used in the
Minuteman missile guidance system.
•In 1968, the first embedded system for a vehicle was released.
•Texas Instruments developed the first microcontroller in 1971.
•In 1987, the first embedded OS, VxWorks, was released by Wind River.
•Microsoft's Windows embedded CE in 1996.
•By the late 1990s, the first embedded Linux system appeared.
•The embedded market reach $140 billion in 2013.
•Analysts are projecting an Embedded market larger than $40 billion by
2030.

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Classification of Embedded Systems
Embedded Systems are classified based on the two factors i.e.
1. Performance and Functional Requirements
2. Performance of Micro-controllers
Based on Performance and Functional Requirements it is divided into 4 types as
follows :
1. Real-Time Embedded Systems :
A Real-Time Embedded System is strictly time specific which means these embedded
systems provides output in a particular/defined time interval. These type of embedded
systems provide quick response in critical situations which gives most priority to time based
task performance and generation of output. That’s why real time embedded systems are used
in defense sector, medical and health care sector, and some other industrial applications
where output in the right time is given more importance. Further this Real-Time Embedded
System is divided into two types i.e.

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 Classification of Embedded Systems Contd..

•Soft Real Time Embedded Systems –

In these types of embedded systems time/deadline is not so strictly followed. If deadline of the task
is passed (means the system didn’t give result in the defined time) still result or output is accepted.
•Hard Real-Time Embedded Systems –
In these types of embedded systems time/deadline of task is strictly followed. Task must be
completed in between time frame (defined time interval) otherwise result/output may not be
accepted.
Examples :Traffic control system
Military usage in defense sector
Medical usage in health sector

2. Stand Alone Embedded Systems :

Stand Alone Embedded Systems are independent systems which can work by themselves they
don’t depend on a host system. It takes input in digital or analog form and provides the output.
Examples :
MP3 players
Microwave ovens
calculator
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Classification of Embedded Systems Contd..
3. Networked Embedded Systems :
Networked Embedded Systems are connected to a network which may be wired or wireless
to provide output to the attached device. They communicate with embedded web server
through network
Examples :
Home security systems
ATM machine
Card swipe machine
4. Mobile Embedded Systems :
Mobile embedded systems are small and easy to use and requires less resources. They are the
most preferred embedded systems. In portability point of view mobile embedded systems are
also best.
Examples :
MP3 player
Mobile phones
Digital Camera

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 Classification of Embedded Systems Contd..

Based on Performance and micro-controller it is divided into 3 types as follows :

•Small Scale Embedded Systems :
Small Scale Embedded Systems are designed using an 8-bit or 16-bit micro-controller. They
can be powered by a battery.
•Medium Scale Embedded Systems :
•Medium Scale Embedded Systems are designed using an 16-bit or 32-bit micro-controller.
These medium Scale Embedded Systems are faster than that of small Scale Embedded
Systems. Integration of hardware and software is complex in these systems. Java, C, C++ are
the programming languages are used to develop medium scale embedded systems.
•Sophisticated or Complex Embedded Systems :
Sophisticated or Complex Embedded Systems are designed using multiple 32-bit or 64-bit
micro-controller. These systems are developed to perform large scale complex functions.
These systems have high hardware and software complexities.

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1.5. Major Application Areas ofES
The application areas and the products in the embedded domain are
countless. A few of the important domains and products are listed below:
i. Consumer electronics: Camcorders, cameras, etc.
ii. Household appliances: Television, DVD players, washing machine, fridge,
microwave oven, etc.

iii. Home automation and security systems: Air conditioners, sprinklers,

intruder detection alarms, closed circuit television cameras, fire alarms, etc.
iv. Automotive industry: Anti-lock breaking systems (ABS), engine control,
ignition systems, automatic navigation systems, etc.

v. Telecom: Cellular telephones, telephone switches, handset multimedia

applications, etc.

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1.5. Major Application Areas of ES
(Cont’d)
vi. Computer peripherals: Printers, scanners, fax machines, etc.

vii. Computer Networking systems: Network routers, switches, hubs,

firewalls, etc.

viii. Healthcare: Different kinds of scanners, EEG, ECG machines etc.

ix. Measurement & Instrumentation: Digital multi meters, digital CROs,

logic analyzers PLC systems, etc.

x. Banking & Retail: Automatic teller machines (ATM) and currency

counters, point of sales (POS).

xi. Card Readers: Barcode, smart card readers, hand held devices, etc.

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 1.6. Purpose of Embedded Systems
Embedded systems are used in various domains like consumer electronics, home automation,
telecommunications, automotive industry, healthcare, control & instrumentation, retail and banking
applications, etc. Within the domain itself, according to the application usage context, they may have
different functionalities. Each embedded system is designed to serve the purpose of any one or a
combination of the following tasks:

 Data collection/Storage/Representation

 Data Communication

 Data (signal) processing

 Monitoring

 Control

 Application specific user interface

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 (i) Data Collection/Storage/Representation

 Embedded systems designed for the purpose of data collection performs acquisition of data from the external
world.

 Data collection is usually done for storage, analysis, manipulation and transmission.
 The term “data” refers all kinds of information, such as text, voice, image, video, electrical signals and any other
measurable quantities.

 Data can be either analog (continuous) or digital (discrete).

 Embedded systems with analog data capturing techniques collect data directly in the form of analog signal
whereas embedded systems with digital data collection mechanism converts the analog signal to the digital signal
using analog to digital (A/D) converters and then collects the binary equivalent of the analog data.

 If the data is digital, it can be directly captured without any additional interface by digital embedded systems.
 The collected data may be stored directly in the system or may be transmitted to some other systems or it may be
processed by the system or it may be deleted instantly after giving a meaningful representation.

 These actions are purely dependent on the purpose for which the embedded system is designed.
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(i) Data Collection/Storage/Representation (Cont’d)

 Embedded system designed for pure measurement applications without storage, used in control and
instrumentation domain, collects data and gives a meaningful representation of the collected data by means of
graphical representation or quantity value and deletes the collected data when new arrives at the data collection
terminal.

 Analog and digital CROs without storage memory are typical examples of this. Any measuring equipment used
in the medical domain for monitoring without storage functionality also comes under this category.
 A digital camera is a typical example of an embedded system with data collection/storage/representation of data.

Images are captured and the captured image may be stored within the memory of the camera. The captured
image can also be presented to the user through a graphic LCD unit.

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 (ii) Data Communication
 Embedded data communication systems are deployed in applications from complex satellite
communication systems to simple home networking systems.

 The data collected by an embedded terminal may require transferring of the same to some other system
located remotely.

 The transmission is achieved either by a wire-line medium or by a wire-less medium.

 Wire-line medium was the most common choice in all olden days embedded systems.
 As technology is changing, wireless medium is becoming the standard for data communication in

embedded systems. It offers cheaper connectivity solutions and make the communication link free from
the hassle of wire bundles.

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(ii) Data Communication (Cont’d)

 The data collecting embedded terminal itself can incorporate data communication units like Wireless
modules (Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, EDGE, GPRS, etc.) or wire-line modules (RS-232C, USB, TCP/IP,
PS2,etc).

 Certain embedded systems act as a dedicated transmission unit between the sending and receiving
terminals, offering sophisticated functionalities like data packetizing, encrypting and decrypting.

 Network hubs, routers, switches, etc. are typical examples of dedicated data transmission embedded
systems.

 They act as mediators in data communication and provide various features like data security,
monitoring etc.

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(iii) Data (Signal) Processing

 The data (voice, image, video, electrical signals and other measurable quantities) collected by embedded

systems may be used for various kinds of data processing.

 Embedded systems with signal processing functionalities are employed in applications demanding signal
processing like speech coding, synthesis, audio video codec, transmission applications,etc.
 A digital hearing aid is a typical example of an embedded system employing data processing. Digital hearing
aid improves the hearing capacity of hearing impaired persons.

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(iv) Monitoring

 Almost all embedded products coming under the medical domain are with monitoring functions only.
 They are used for determining the state of some variables using input sensors. They cannot impose

control over variables.

 A very good example is the electro cardiogram (ECG) machine for monitoring the heartbeat of a patient.
The machine is intended to do the monitoring of the heartbeat of a patient but it cannot impose control over
the heartbeat. The sensors used in ECG are the different electrodes connected to the patient’s body.

 Other examples with monitoring function are measuring instruments like digital CRO, digital multimeters,

logic analyzers., etc. used in control & instrumentation applications. They are used for knowing
(monitoring) the status of some variables like current, voltage, etc. They cannot control the variables in
turn.

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(v) Control
 Embedded systems with control functionalities impose control over some variables according to the changes

in input variables.

 A system with control functionality contains both sensors andactuators.

 Sensors are connected to the input port for capturing the changes in environmental variable or measuring
variable.

 The actuators connected to the output port are controlled according to the changes in the input variable to
put an impact on the controlling variable to bring the controlled variable to the specifiedrange.
 Air conditioner system used in our home to control the room temperature to a specified limit is a typical
example for embedded system for control purpose. An air conditioner contains a room temperature sensing
element (sensor) which may be thermistor and a handheld unit for setting up (feeding) the desired
temperature.

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(v) Control (Cont’d)
 The handheld unit may be connected to the central embedded unit residing inside the air conditioner through

a wireless link or through a wired link.

 The air compressor unit acts as the actuator. The compressor is controlled according to the current room
temperature and the desired temperature set by the end user.
 The input variable is the current room temperature and the controlled variable is also the room temperature.

The controlling variable is cool air flow by the compressor unit.

 If the controlled variable and input variable are not at the same value, the controlling variable tries to
equalize them through taking actions on the cool air flow.

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(vi) Applications specific user interface

 Buttons, switches, keypad, lights, speakers, display units, etc. are application-specific user interfaces.
 Mobile phone is an example of application specific user interface. In mobile phone, the user interface
is provided through the keypad, graphic LCD module, system speaker, vibration alert, etc.

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Understanding Test Questions I
1. Embedded systems are

(a) General purpose (b) Special purpose

2. Embedded system is
(a) An electronic system (b) A pure electronic system
(c ) An electro-mechanical system (d) (a) or ( c )

3. Which of the following is not true about embedded systems?

(a) Built around specialized hardware

(b) Always contain an operating system

(c ) Execution behavior may be deterministic

(d) All of these

(e) None of these

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 Understanding Test Questions I (Cont’d)
4. Which of the following is (are) an intended purpose(s) of embedded systems?
(a) Data collection (b) Data processing (c ) Data communication

(d) All of these (e) None of these

5. Which of the following is an (are) example(s) of embedded system for data communication?
(a) USB Mass storage device (b) Network router

(c ) Digital camera (d) Music player

(e) All of these (f)

6. A digital multi meter is an example of an embedded system for
(a) Data communication (b) Monitoring

(c) Control (d) All of these

(e)

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