E1- ELC 241- EMBEDDED SYSTEM DESIGN

Unit 1:Introduction to Embedded systems using single board computers (SBC)

Single boards computer block diagram, types, Comparison of SBC models,
Specifications, I/O devices (Storage, display, keyboard and mouse), Network access
devices
Unit 2: Architecture of System on Chip (SOC)
Architecture of SoC, Basic version Broad Coprocessor, Pin Description of Raspberry
Pi, Architectural features: CPU Overview, CPU Pipeline stages, CPU Cache
Organization, Branch Prediction & Folding (Concept), GPU Overview
Unit 3:Programming using Python
Overview of Rasberian OS (Operating System), Installation, different types of
Operating systems. Basic Python Programming (Script programming):Variable & data
types, Flow Control structures, Conditional statements ( If…Then…else),
Functions: I/O function (GPIO, Digital),Time functions, Library functions Basic
Arithmetic Programs: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
Unit 4 : Interfacing of devices using Python Programming
Basic interfacing: LED, Switch, LCD
Internal Advanced: Bluetooth, Wifi, Ethernet,
External advanced: Camera, Serial Communication GSM, Ultrasonic Sensor, PIR,
Finger Print reader.
 Unit 1:Introduction to Embedded systems using single board computers (SBC)

• An embedded system is a computer system which can perform many task

such as to access, to process, to store, to control the data in various
electronic systems.
• Embedded system is a combination of hardware and software.
• Software is usually known as firmware that is embedded into the
hardware.
• Embedded systems are application specific, organized hardware which can
be controlled by specific software.
• One of the important features of the embedded system is that it gives
output within the specified time limits.
• Embedded systems are used in many appliances which are used in our
daily life such as microwave, calculators, TV, remote control etc..

Def:
An embedded system is a microprocessor-based computer
hardware system with software that is designed to perform a dedicated
function, either as an independent system or as a part of a large system.
Block diagram of embedded system
• As shown in fig. embedded system consists of processor,
program memory, data memory, power supply, parallel ports,
serial ports, I/O interfacing devices and application specific
circuits.
• As mentioned earlier embedded system consists of hardware
and software designed for specific applications.
• Hardware consists of power supply,
microcontroller/microprocessor, timer, memory, I/O devices
etc.
• The software consists of compiler and assembler.
Fig: Basic structure of Embedded system:

The various blocks of an embedded system is briefly explained below:

• Sensor – It measures the physical quantity and converts it to an electrical signal which
can be read by an observer or by any electronic instrument like an A2D converter. A
sensor stores the measured quantity to the memory.
• A-D Converter – An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal sent by the
sensor into a digital signal.
• Processor & ASICs – Processors process the data to measure the output and store it to
the memory.
• D-A Converter – A digital-to-analog converter converts the digital data fed by the
processor to analog data.
• Actuator – An actuator compares the output given by the D-A Converter to the actual
(expected) output stored in it and stores the approved output.
Characteristics of embedded system:
• Embedded system usually performs a specified operation.
• Embedded system must be of size to fit on a single chip.
• It has perform fast enough to process the data in real time
• It has consumed less power to extent battery life.
• It has to monitor the data without any delay to give real time outputs.
• Memory has to be sufficient to store its software.
• It should contain peripherals to connect input/output devices.
• Software must be flexible and secure with more features.

The advantages of Embedded Systems are:

• They are convenient for mass production.
• These systems are highly stable and reliable.
• Embedded systems are made for specific tasks.
• The embedded systems are very small in size, hence can be carried and loaded anywhere.
• These systems are fast.

The disadvantages of Embedded Systems are:

• High development cost
• Time consuming design process
• As its application specific, less market available.
 Single Board Computer(SBC)
A single-board computer (SBC) is a complete computer built on a single circuit board, with
microprocessor(s), memory, input/output (I/O) and other features required of a
functional computer.
• Personal computer have add-on slots in which various add-on cards can be inserted.
However SBC does not have any extra slots for I/O devices.
• Some SBC have plugs into backplane for system expansion.
• SBC usually use static RAM , low cost 8 bit microprocessor and few I/O devices.
Advantages of SBC:
• Easy to use.
• It has verified hardware.
• SBC has adaptability.
• Good performance at low price.
• Portable.
• SBC has GPIO capability to interact with outside world.
• Good support available for most of the SBC.
Disadvantages of SBC:
• Usually delicate(electrically)
• Lots of customization on SBC can be difficult.
• SBC generally have less capacity than a multi-board computer.
• If SBC is designed for an application or product which is in the high capacity category
then it is cost effective otherwise it may cost more as compared to SOC(system on chip).
Block diagram of SBC:

USB slot for power

memory Ethernet port
supply

GPIO pins processor microSD slot

Single board
computer
External USB
Composite ports
HDMI connectors
video/audio out

Status LEDs
• The main blocks of SBC are processor, memory, general purpose
input/output (GPIO) pins, Ethernet port, External USB ports, Usually, slot,
composite video/audio output, power supply, status LED etc. as per
application the slots can be vary.
• Usually, SBC is a complete computer built on a single circuit board as
shown in above figure.
• The heart of SBC is processor. Usually, ARM processor are used in SBC.
• Static RAM is mostly used in SBC.
• SBC contains GPIO header to interface input and output devices such as
sensors, displays, keyboards etc.
• External USB ports are provided to interface other devices
• Ethernet port is also provided to connect other devices to SBC.
• HDMI port provides digital video/audio output.
• Micro SD slots are given on SBC to increase the available memory.
• Usually, SBC operates on 5v power supply which can be connected
through micro USB slots.
• SBC can have various extra ports and slots as per the need or applications.
• Types of SBC:
There are two basic categories of SBCs: passive backplane and standalone SBCs.
•Backplane SBC has the advantage of a standard interface for expansion cards such as
ISA( Industry std Architecture), PCI(peripheral component interconnect) etc.

•Standalone SBCs also has expansion cards which are less standardized.
•Most popular SBC are Raspberry Pi, Beagle Board, Beagle Bone, Panda board, Cubie
board, Udoo, Banana Pi etc..

•Raspberry pi was developed as an educational tool to help , encourage and

strengthened the programming skill of students.

•The Beagle board and Beagle Bone were also developed to help, educate and promote
the benefits and usages of open source hardware/software in embedded computing.

•Specifications vary as per the application. Some of the SBCs come with I/O interface
required for audio applications, networking applications or wireless applications.

• Some of the SBC contains expansion slots for PCI, ISA and VGA etc.
Raspberry Pi
Comparison of SBC models:

1.BCM5871X:
• Quad core ARM cortex ( group of 32/64 bit RISC ARM microprocessor).
• Hardware virtualization support.
• Advanced power management mode.
• Support for open source projects and development models.

2. TI AM 3358 based on ARM cortex-A9:

• 32 bit RISC processor with 64 KB RAM
• External memory interface.
• General purpose memory controller.
• Error locator model.
• Power, reset and clock management.

3. Intel Atom T5500:

• Contains sensor HUB processor.
• Has power management.
• USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports.
• 12C,UART,PWM and GPIOs.
• Upto 6x MIPI CSI cameras. (MIPI-mobile industry processor interface, CSI- camera serial
interface:- provides interface between camera and host processor.)
4. NVIDIA:
• Has full featured web browsing.
• Console class gaming.
• Significant high performance.
• More efficient user interface.

5. Snapdragon 410:
• Snapdragon 410 is 64 bit ARM cortex A53 SoC mostly used in mobile phones.
• Quad core processor.
• Has Adreno 306 graphics card.
• Memory controller.
• Bluetooth.
Memory:
 Input/output devices:

• keyboard and mouse:

1. this is one of the i/p devices.
2. a keyboard is an array of switches which can include
some internal logic circuit to interface the embedded systems.
3. Keyboards can be interfaced to SBC through USB

Membrane keyboard:
• A membrane keyboard is made up of a few layers.
• The topmost layer of the keyboard contains all the keys. This is where the users touch and
press the keyboard.
• It can be made of various materials such as plastic or rubber.
• Below the keys there are pressure pads – these pressure pads are made of thin, flexible
rubber or plastic membrane with printed conductive traces on its backside.
• The next layer is called the hole layer; this layer separates the pressure pad next to a key to
the bottommost layer such that there will be no mechanical contact when the key is not
pressed.
• Finally, the bottom most layer also contains printed conductive traces connected to the
keyboard’s circuit.
 Mechanical keyboard

• In this keyboard ,it uses spring instead of rubber

membrane. Spring result in smoother and more accurate
keystrokes. This feature makes mechanical keyboard
more superior and popular.
• Key switches are used in this keyboard by which key hit a
keystroke and physically trigger a switch that sends a
signal to register, the key is pressed.
 • Wireless keyboard:
Two technologies are used in it : Bluetooth and Radio frequency.
1. Bluetooth is most popular technology but having limited range of
communication.
2. RF k/b utilize a broadcast technique similar to wi-fi. Through USB
dongle these k/b can be attached with SBC..
Wireless k/b need recharging periodically.

• Rollup USB k/b:

Projection k/b:
• Also called as optical virtual k/b.
• Usually use lasers to display a visible virtual
k/b onto a surface.
• When a user selects a key on the virtual k/b,
then optical sensor or Camera sense the
finger movement which is translated into
actions.
• Then computer software identifies the key
and further the character pressed by user is
recognized.

Touch Screen k/b:

• It can be used as keyboard as well as display.
• The touch screen registers the position of a
touch on its surface and accordingly displays
the information on the screen.
Display:
1. LCD

Segment LCD Graphical LCD Colored LCD

• LCDs are used in SBC or in embedded systems as they

consumes less power, they are small in size, low weight and
portable
2. LED:
LEDs mainly used for outdoor big screen, traffic light and TV etc.
• Network access devices:
Ethernet
How it works Devices follow a set of rules to
communicate with each other. The rules
include when to transmit data and what to
do if a collision occurs.

How it's used Ethernet cables connect devices to an

Ethernet switch, which manages data flow
between devices.

Benefits Ethernet is reliable, secure,

History Ethernet was invented in 1973 by Bob

Metcalfe and David Boggs of Xerox Palo
Alto Research Center (PARC). It was first
standardized in 1983 as IEEE 802.3.