Components-

Embedded
Systems
Internet-of-Things
Lecture 5

*University of Notre Dame and ARM

Components of an IoT Device
Embedded
System/Computer

• “Any sort of device

which includes a
programmable
computer but itself is
not intended to be a
general-purpose
computer” -Wayne Wolf
• General purpose
• Dedicated
Embedded systems

Internet of Things (IoT)

• Application-specific computer system Environment
• Built into a larger system
• Often with real-time computing constraints
Embedded system
Adding embedded systems to larger systems
Software
• Better performance
• More functions and features Input Hardware Output
• Lower cost, for e.g., through automation
• More dependability

Examples: smartphones, smart watches, User interface Other systems

printers, gaming consoles, wireless routers
CPUs → MCUs → Embedded Systems
Microprocessor or Central Processing unit (CPU)

Memory interface Defined typically as a single

processor core that supports at
To memory
Instruction fetcher least instruction fetching, decoding,
blocks
and executing
Instruction decoder

Register banks Used for general purpose

computing, but needs to be
supported with memory and
ALU Input/Output (I/O) interfaces
Microprocessor
CPUs → MCUs → Embedded Systems
Microcontroller Unit (MCU)

Microprocessor Program memory Data memory

System Bus

Digital I/O Analog I/O Timers Other peripherals

MCU

Typically has a single processor core

Has memory blocks, digital I/Os, analog I/Os, and other basic peripherals

Used for basic control purposes, such as embedded applications

CPUs → MCUs → Embedded Systems
Embedded system

Typically implemented using MCUs

Often integrated into a larger mechanical or electrical system

Usually has real-time constraints

Embedded
system
Embedded system example: Bike computer

• Functions Inputs:
Wheel rotation
• Speed, cadence, distance, heart rate (HR) measurements Mode key
• Constraints
• Size, weight, and cost; power and energy

• Inputs
• Wheel rotation sensor and mode key

• Output
• Liquid crystal display (LCD), BLE interface to smartphone

• Uses low performance microcontroller Outputs:

Display/transmi
t speed, HR, etc.
Embedded system example: Gasoline engine control unit

• Functions • Many inputs and outputs

• Fuel injection • Discrete sensors and actuators
• Air intake setting • Network interface to rest of the car
• Spark timing
• Exhaust gas circulation • Uses high performance microcontroller
• Electronic throttle control • E.g., 32-bit, 3MB flash memory, 150–
• Knock control 300MHz

• Constraints
• Reliability in a harsh environment
• Cost
• Weight
Automotive Embedded Systems
Automotive Embedded Systems

• Today’s high-end automobile may have 100+ microprocessors:

Seat belt; dashboard devices; engine control; ABS; automatic
stability control; navigation system; infotainment system; collision
avoidance system; tire pressure monitoring; lane warning; adaptive
cruise control; climate control; airbag control unit; electric window
and central locking; parking aid; automatic wiper control; alarm
and immobilizer; power seat; electric power steering; electronic
transmission; active suspension
 80 million PCs every year

Embedded
3 billion embedded CPUs
Processor
every year
Market

Embedded systems
market growing, while PC
market mostly saturated
 General-Purpose Processor

Controller Datapath
• Programmable device, “microprocessor”
Control Register
• Features logic and file
State register
• Program memory
• General data path with large register file IR PC
General
ALU
and general ALU
• User benefits Program Data
memory
• Low time-to-market and NRE costs memory
Assembly code
• High flexibility for:

• Examples: Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 5, etc. total = 0

for i =1 to …
Dedicated Processor

• Digital circuit designed specifically for one Controller Datapath

purpose Control index
logic
• Features
total
• Contains only the components needed State
to execute a single program register +
• No program memory
• Benefits Data
• Fast memory

• Low power
• Small size
 Application-Specific Processor (ASIC)

Controller Datapath

• Programmable processor optimized for a Control Registers

particular class of applications that have logic and
common characteristics. State register
Custom
• Features
ALU
• Program memory IR PC
• Optimized data path Data
• Special functional units Program memory
memory
• Benefits
• Some flexibility, good performance, Assembly code
size, and power, “reusable” for:

total = 0
for i =1 to …

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application-specific_integrated_circuit
Characteristics of Embedded Systems

• Dedicated functionality
• Real-time operation
• Small size and low weight
• Low power
• Harsh environments
• Safety-critical operation
• Cost sensitive
 Embedded vs. Real Time Systems
• Embedded system: is a computer system that performs a
limited set of specific functions; it often interacts with its
environment
• RTS: Correctness of the system depends not only on the logical
results, but also on the time in which the results are produced

Real Time Embedded

Systems Systems

Examples?
 • Real Time Embedded:
• Nuclear reactor control
• Flight control
• Basically, any safety critical system
• GPS
• MP3 player
• Mobile phone
Examples • Real Time, but not Embedded:
• Stock trading system
• Skype
• Pandora, Netflix
• Embedded, but not Real Time:
• Home temperature control
• Sprinkler system
• Washing machine, refrigerator, etc.
Benefits of embedded systems

Greater Lower cost More Better

performance and features dependability
efficiency
Cheaper components Adaptive systems
More sophisticated Many not possible that can
control through Reduced or impractical using
manufacturing costs compensate for
software other approaches failures
Reduced operating
and maintenance Better diagnostics
costs to improve repair
time
Constraints specific to embedded devices

Cost Size and Power and Environment

weight limits energy limits
Competitive markets Temperatures may
penalize products that Mobile (aviation, Battery capacity, range from -40
do not deliver automotive) and cooling limits degrees C to 125
adequate value for portable (e.g., degrees C, or even
money handheld, wearable) more.
systems
Functions of embedded systems

Closed-loop control system

Monitor a process, adjust an output to maintain the
desired set point of operation (temperature, speed,
direction, etc.)

Sequencing
Step through different stages based on environment and
system conditions

Signal processing
Remove noise, select desired signal features

Communications and networking

Exchange information reliably and quickly
 • Event-driven (reactive) vs. time-driven
• Reliability/fault-tolerance requirements
(example: triple modular redundancy)
• Predictability
• Priorities in multi-programmed systems

Characteristics
of RTS
 Control Systems

Man-Machine Instrumentation
Interface Interface

Real-Time
Controlled
Operator Computer
Object
System

• Man-machine interface: input devices, e.g., keyboard and output

devices, e.g., display
• Instrumentation interface: sensors and actuators that transform
between physical signals and digital data.
Control System Example

Example: A simple one-sensor, one-actuator control system.

reference
A/D
input r(t) control-law
computation D/A
A/D

sensor plant actuator

Outside effects The system

being controlled
 Control Systems Cont’d.

Pseudo-code for this system:

set timer to interrupt periodically with period T;

at each timer interrupt do
do analog-to-digital conversion to get y;
compute control output u;
output u and do digital-to-analog conversion;
end do

T is called the sampling period. T is a key design choice. Typical

range for T: seconds to milliseconds.
 Sensors:
Sensors and • They are mainly input
Actuators components
• They sense and collect
surrounding information

Actuators:

• They are mainly output

components
• They alter the surrounding
 • Connects devices with each other & the cloud
• Communication type:
• Wireline (e.g., copper wires, optical fibers)
• Wireless (e.g., RF, IR); RF-based
communication is the most popular choice
Communications
• Popular RF-based communication solutions:
• IEEE 802.15.4 (LR-WPANs) (Zigbee,
6LoWPAN)
• IEEE 802.11 (or Wifi)
• Bluetooth
• Near Field Communication (NFC), e.g., RFID
 Next Session:
Human
Thank You!! Computer
Interaction
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Gaurav.singal@nsut.ac.in
www.gauravsingal.in

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