EMBEDDED SYSTEMS INPUT AND (e.g., audio output).

ADCs (Analog-to-
OUTPUT Digital Converters) and DACs (Digital-
to-Analog Converters) are used for
Group 4 analog I/O.
Leader: Santiago, John Lhenard c. Serial Communication - Embedded
systems often communicate with other
Members: Bernardo, Jerald M. devices through serial interfaces like
UART, SPI, or I2C. UART is
Llarves, Gerwin M.
asynchronous serial communication,
Morales, Patricia while SPI and I2C are synchronous,
allowing for various data transfer
modes.
I. DEFINITION d. Network Communication - Many
embedded systems are connected to
Embedded systems are comprised of various networks, either through Ethernet, Wi-
hardware components that allow it to perform Fi, or other wireless technologies.
its intended function. These components usually Network communication enables data
include a processor such as a microcontroller exchange with remote systems or cloud
or microprocessor, a power supply, services.
timers/counters, input and output devices,
memory, and communication ports such as III. INPUT IN EMBEDDED
CAN, SPI, I2C, USB, Ethernet, UART, etc. SYSTEMS

In particular, the input and output devices a. Sensors - Embedded systems often rely
component, otherwise known as I/O or IO on sensors to gather data from the
devices, is used to transfer data to or from a environment. These sensors can include
computer. In other words, input devices are temperature sensors, humidity sensors,
used to send data to a CPU, and output devices accelerometers, and more.
receive data from the CPU. Incorporating b. Interrupts - To efficiently handle
inputs/outputs within embedded systems can external events, embedded systems use
allow users to control the computer/system and interrupts. When a specific event occurs
allow the computer/system to interact with the (e.g., a button press), it can trigger an
user. interrupt, allowing the system to
respond quickly.
c. Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) -
II. TYPES OF EMBEDDED SYSTEM ADCs are essential for converting
INPUT AND OUTPUT analog sensor data (e.g., voltage levels)
into digital values that the
a. Digital Input/output (GPIO) - GPIO microcontroller can process.
pins are used to send or receive digital
signals, representing binary values (0 or
1). These pins can be configured as IV. OUTPUT IN EMBEDDED
inputs or outputs and are fundamental SYSTEMS
for tasks like controlling LEDs, reading
switches, or interfacing with sensors. a. Actuators - Embedded systems use
b. Analog Input/output - Analog I/O actuators like motors, solenoids, and
deals with continuous voltage levels and relays to control physical processes or
is essential for tasks such as reading devices. For example, in robotics,
analog sensors (e.g., temperature motors are used to control the
sensors) or generating analog signals movement of robotic arms.
 b. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) - Inputs can include a keyboard, touchpad,
PWM is a technique used to control the camera, microphone, GPS, and various
intensity of output signals, such as the sensors.
brightness of an LED or the speed of a
motor. b. Output Devices
c. Digital-to-Analog Conversion (DAC) -
DACs are employed when an embedded An output device is a hardware component that
system needs to produce continuous connects to a primary device, such as a computer
analog signals, such as in audio and transforms received data from the
playback or analog voltage generation. processing unit into a human-perceptible form
that users can understand and use. This can be
V. COMMUNICATION text, graphics, audio, or video. Often output
INTERFACES devices are peripheral devices that are used by
humans to help perform an action or task.
a. Universal Asynchronous Outputs are exposed as pins, and can also be
Receiver/Transmitter (UART) - serial or parallel and analog or digital.
UART is commonly used for serial
communication between embedded
systems and peripherals like GPS Example of Output
modules, Bluetooth modules, and other
microcontrollers. Monitors and projectors are examples of video
b. Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) - I2C is outputs, headphones and computer speakers
a multi-master, multi-slave serial are examples of audio outputs, and printers are
communication protocol, suitable for examples of text/graphic outputs.
connecting multiple devices on the same
bus. VII. ES COMPONENTS
c. Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) - SPI
is a synchronous communication a. Processing Element - Embedded
protocol commonly used for high-speed systems require a processing element,
data transfer between microcontrollers such as a CPU, to carry out all tasks.
and peripherals. The processor is considered to be the
main chip within the system that
VI. INPUT VS. OUTPUT DEVICES responsible for fetching and decoding
data and then executing an operation
a. Input Devices based on the instructions it is given from
the memory device.
An input device is a hardware component that b. Memory - Memory is used to store
connects to a primary device, such as a temporary or permanent information
computer, and delivers data to the processing within an embedded system that is used
element. Inputs, which are often peripheral for processing. There are multiple types
devices, allow users to interact and control the of memory that can be used, including
computer or system. Inputs convert physical RAM, ROM, or EEPROM. Memory is
input to binary information which is sent to responsible for storing data that is
the processing unit to then perform needed to boot up the system or
computations to execute a specific task. Inputs temporarily store data that is collected
are exposed as pins and can be serial or parallel from input devices.
and also analog or digital. c. Transferring Data between
Inputs/Outputs, Memory, and
Example of Input Processor - Altogether, inputs, outputs,
memory, and the processor all have their
own function that allows the system to
 intake information and transform it into applications like handheld devices and
an action industrial displays
b. Parallel DAC - Some embedded systems
VIII. INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES require precise analog voltage outputs,
and parallel DACs can provide these
Input and output devices are used in parallel outputs simultaneously. This is valuable
with other embedded system components in applications like audio processing.
such as the processing element, such as a c. Parallel Communication Ports -
CPU, and memory. Together, they allow the Microcontrollers often have parallel
system to collect certain data to execute a communication ports (e.g., parallel
specific task and also allows users to easily ports) for fast data transfer to external
control and interact with the embedded system. devices or peripherals.

IX. PARALLEL INPUT AND \ X. ADVANCE TOIPCS ON

OUTPUT EMBEDDED SYSTEMS I/O

Parallel input and output (PIO) in embedded a. DMA (Direct Memory Access) - DMA
systems involves the simultaneous transfer of allows peripherals to transfer data
multiple bits of data between the directly to or from memory without
microcontroller or microprocessor and CPU intervention. It's used to offload
external devices. It is a crucial aspect of data transfer tasks from the CPU,
interfacing with various peripherals and improving system efficiency.
managing data efficiently. b. Memory-Mapped I/O - Memory-
mapped I/O is a technique where
Parallel Input peripheral registers are mapped to
memory addresses. This allows reading
a. Keypad Matrix - Embedded systems and writing to peripherals like memory
often use parallel input to read keypads access, simplifying I/O operations.
with multiple buttons. A matrix c. Interrupt Handling - Advanced
arrangement allows for efficient interrupt handling involves prioritizing
scanning to detect key presses. interrupts, nested interrupts, and
efficiently managing interrupt service
routines (ISRs) for real-time
b. Parallel ADC - Some applications responsiveness.
require a higher-speed ADC interface. d. I/O Synchronization Techniques - In
Parallel ADCs can sample multiple multi-threaded or multi-core embedded
analog channels simultaneously, which systems, ensuring proper
is useful in data acquisition systems. synchronization of I/O operations is
c. Camera Interfaces - Parallel input critical to prevent data corruption and
interfaces are used in embedded systems race conditions.
that capture images from cameras. e. I/O Expander ICs - I/O expander
Parallel data transfer ensures high-speed integrated circuits provide additional
image acquisition. GPIO pins when the microcontroller's
native pins are insufficient. They are
Parallel Output useful in scenarios requiring a large
number of I/O connections.
a. LCD Displays - Parallel output is f. I/O Protection and ESD (Electrostatic
common for driving LCD displays, Discharge) handling - Robust
where each bit or byte represents a embedded systems need to protect
pixel's state. This is essential in against voltage spikes, ESD, and other
electrical hazards that can damage I/O
 pins. Techniques like using diodes and
capacitors are employed.
g. Virtual I/O and Emulation - Virtual
I/O techniques allow simulation and
testing of embedded systems I/O
without physical hardware. This is
beneficial during development and
testing phases.

XI. CONCLUSION

Input and output devices have very important

roles within embedded systems. They provide
the system with the needed data that allows it
to perform a specific task as a result.
Inputs/outputs, memory, and processing units all
operate together to allow the system to function
as intended. Total Phase offers various tools to
help embedded systems engineers develop well-
functioning systems, allowing them to emulate
and test certain components such as the CPU
and peripheral devices, and quickly program
memory. Engineers can also monitor the bus
in real-time to help pinpoint any
communication errors between such devices.