General Introduction to Embedded

Systems & Robotics

By

Reginald Ekene Ogu

Department of Software Engineering
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
What is an Embedded System?
An embedded System (ES) is a dedicated
computer system designed for specific
function(s).
➢ Often integrated within a larger mechanical
or electrical system.
➢ Often with real-time computing constraints.
An embedded system is controlled by a
real-time operating system (RTOS).
ESs control many devices in common use
today.
An ES is not a general-purpose computer
like the Laptop.

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Robots and Robotics
A robot is a programmed machine, capable of carrying out a complex
series of actions automatically.
There are:
➢Remote Controlled Robots
➢Autonomous Robots
Robots may be constructed on the lines of human form.
However, most robots are machines designed to perform a task with
no regard to their aesthetics.
Robotics is the study of robot technology:
➢ dynamic system modeling and analysis, mathematics, physics, biology,
➢ mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering,
➢ computer science and engineering, and automation (sensors, control, and actuators)
technology.

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Embedded Systems cont.
98% of all processors manufactured are used in embedded systems.
Modern ESs are often based on microcontrollers,
➢ CPUs with integrated memory or peripheral interfaces
▪ Processor(s) used in ESs may be types, ranging from general purpose to
application specific or custom designed for the application at hand.
▪ ESs range from having no user interface (UI) to having graphical user
interfaces (GUIs) .
▪ User interfaces can include buttons, LEDs, touchscreen sensing and
more.

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Characteristics of Embedded Systems

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 Real Time Performance of Embedded Systems
An ES is real-time if the total correctness of an operation depends on:
➢ its logical correctness and
➢ time taken to be perform the operation.
Real-time ESs are classified by the consequence of missing a deadline:
➢ Hard:
✓ Missing a deadline is a total system failure.
➢ Firm:
✓ Infrequent deadline misses are tolerable.
✓ The usefulness of a result is zero after its deadline.
➢ Soft:
✓ The usefulness of a result degrades after its deadline, thereby degrading the
system's quality of service.

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How Embedded system works
An embedded system takes input
variables,
Performs operation(s) on the variable
to determine
The output variable.
Decides what to do based on the
value of the output variable.
User interface is used as a means of
communication between the system
and the user.
There is an option for an ES to be
connected to another.

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Applications of Embedded Systems
Almost every single mechanical or electrical device in the
world will feature at least one embedded system.
➢ Embedded systems in automobiles include motor control,
cruise control, body safety, engine safety, robotics in an
assembly line, car multimedia, car entertainment, E-com
access, mobiles etc.
➢ Embedded systems in telecommunications include networking,
mobile computing, and wireless communications, etc.
➢ Embedded systems in smart cards include banking, telephone
and security systems.
➢ Embedded Systems in satellites and missiles include defense,
communication, and aerospace.
➢ Embedded systems in computer networking & peripherals
include image processing, networking systems, printers,
network cards, monitors and displays.
➢ Embedded Systems in digital consumer electronics include set-
top boxes, DVDs, high definition TVs and digital cameras.

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Embedded System Today
These days students are fascinated to design more innovative
embedded projects as projects such as:
➢ Internet (IOT) of Things based underground cable fault distance display using
GSM
➢ Electronic passport system using smart card
➢ Patient body temperature monitoring remotely using Internet of Things (IOT)
➢ Power saver for street light using high sensitive LDR managed by Arduino
➢ GSM based prepaid energy meter
➢ Automatic meter reading system using Zigbee
➢ A notice board display system using voice commands using an Android phone
➢ Home automation using voice commands
➢ Solar based electric fencing system to deter cattle

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Parts of an Embedded System
Hardware, includes a processor (microprocessor- or
microcontroller) with supporting components, sensor(s)
and actuator(s).
➢The processor is at the heart of the system.
Software, program that controls the operation of the
system.
➢This program can be written in Assembly language, c, c++, java,
python etc.
➢Compilers convert these languages to a binary machine code for the
target processor.

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Types of Embedded system

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Steps involved in Embedded System Development
Step1: Understand the requirements
➢ First of all, you need to know and understand the end user specifications.
Step 2: Examine
➢ Analyze the components required to make the product.
Step 3: Design
➢ It is the most critical phase of the development cycle. The developer needs
to develop the embedded hardware and software individually and integrate
both.
Step 4: Develop
➢ The Programmer develops the Prototype using available hardware and
software tools to match the customer specifications.
➢ Prototype is the sample version drawn up to test a concept.

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Embedded System Developmental steps cont.
Step 5: Test
➢ The developer examines the application by running test cases to prove the
possible potential of the prototype.
Step 6: Deploy
➢ After testing the product, the developer checks the result in a real
environment to realize the Proof Of Concept.
➢ Proof Of Concept is a technique used to validate an idea, but it may not be
deliverable.
Step 7: Support and Upgrade
➢ Depending on the user requirement, support and upgrade have to be
provided to add new features at regular intervals.

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Evolution in Embedded system development
Use of microprocessor and microcontroller to build embedded system.
Embedded System Module (ESM) to build embedded systems
o An ESM is a compact computer-on-module (COM) standard.
o An ESM module typically includes:
o a CPU processor,
o memory,
o module-specific I/O interfaces
o a number of basic front I/O connectors.
❖Proprietary modules is a type of ESM
➢ Raspberry pi
❖Open access modules is another type of ESM
➢ Arduino (to be used in this workshop)
➢ Beagleboard

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