INTRODUCTION TO EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

Mrs.M.KALPANA
Assistant Professor
ECM Department.
 SYLLABUS
 Unit-I: Embedded System -Definition, classification of embedded systems, major application areas of
embedded systems, purpose of embedded systems, the typical embedded system-core of the embedded
system, Memory, Sensors and Actuators, Communication Interface, Characteristics of an embedded system.
 Unit-II: EMBEDDED HARDWARE DESIGN: Analog and digital electronic components, I/O types and
examples, Serial communication devices, Parallel device ports, Wireless devices, Timer and counting
devices, Watchdog timer, Real time clock.
 Unit-III: EMBEDDED FIRMWARE DESIGN: Embedded Firmware design approaches, Embedded
Firmware development languages, ISR concept, Interrupt sources, Concepts of C versus Embedded C and
Compiler versus Cross-compiler.
 Unit-IV: HARDWARE SOFTWARE CO-DESIGN: Fundamental Issues in Hardware Software Co-
Design, Computational models in embedded design, Hardware software Trade-offs, Integration of
Hardware and Firmware.
 Unit-V: EMBEDDED SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT: The integrated development environment, Types of
files generated on cross-compilation, Dissembler/Decompiler, Simulators, Emulators and Debugging,
Boundary Scan, Embedded Software development process and tools.
 Text Books:
Embedded Systems-architecture, programming and design by RajKamal 3rd edition, McGraw hill
Embedded Systems Architecture- By Tammy Noergaard, Elsevier Publications, 2013.
Embedded Systems-By Shibu.K.V-Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited, 2013.
 Reference Books:
Embedded System Design, Frank Vahid, Tony Givargis, John Wiley Publications, 2013.
Embedded Systems-Lyla B.Das-Pearson Publications, 2013.
WHAT IS AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM?

 Definition :
An embedded system is an electronic/electro-mechanical system
designed to perform a specific function and is combination of both
hardware and firmware (software). The program instructions
written for embedded systems are referred to as firmware, and are
stored in Read-Only-Memory or Flash memory.

Every ES is unique, and the hardware as well as software is highly

specialized to the application domain. Embedded systems are
designed to do some specific task, rather than be a general
purpose computer for multiple tasks.
Classification of Embedded System :

The classification of embedded system is based on following criteria:

1. Based on generation
2. Based on complexity
3. Based on functionality & performance requirements
 Classification based on generation

 1. First generation (1G):

• Built around 8-bit microprocessors like 8085, Z80.
• Simple in hardware circuit with firmware developed in Assembly code.
Examples: Digital telephone keypads, stepper motor control units
 2. Second generation (2G):
• Built around 16-bit μp and 8-bit μc.
• They are more complex & powerful than 1G μp & μc.
Examples: Data Acquisition system (DAS),
3. Third generation (3G):
• Built around 32-bit μp & 16-bit μc.
• A new concept of application and domain specific processors / controllers like Digital Signal
Processors(DSPs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits(ASICs).
Examples: Robotics, Media, Industrial and process control, networking, etc.
4. Fourth generation:
• Built around 64-bit μp & 32-bit μc.
• The concept of System on Chips (SoC), reconfigurable processors, multi-core processors
• High performance, tight integration, miniaturization, and very powerful.
Examples: Smart Phones, Mobile Internet Devices
 Classification based on Complexity
 
1. Small-scale:
Simple applications where the performance requirements are not time-critical.
Built around low performance and low cost 8 or 16 bit μp/μc.
Example: an electronic toy
 
2. Medium-scale:
Slightly complex in hardware and firmware requirement.
Built around medium performance and low cost 16 or 32 bit μp/μc.
Usually contain embedded operating system (RTOS) for functioning
Examples: Industrial applications, Monitoring & Control of Manufacturing
Equipment

3. Large-scale / complex:
Highly complex hardware & firmware.
Built around 32 or 64 bit RISC μp/μc (or) PLDs (or) SoC (or) multi-core processors.
Response is time-critical.
Examples: Mission critical applications like Aircraft operating and control
Systems, Electric power systems.
Classification based on functionality and performance requirements
  Stand alone embedded systems

• As the name implies, stand-alone systems work in stand-alone mode.

• They take inputs, process them and produce outputs.

• The inputs can be electrical signals from transducers / commands from human being
such as pressing of a button. The outputs can be electrical signals to drive another
system, an LED display / LCD display/DC motors.

• Many ES used in consumer electronics, automobiles, process control in

manufacturing units fall into this category.

Examples: Digital Camera, Air Conditioner, Refrigerator, Microwave oven,

DVD player
Classification based on functionality and performance requirements
  Real time systems
• Embedded systems in which some specific task has to be done in a specified period
are called Real-Time systems.

• They have time constrains and they have to work against some deadlines. Meeting
the deadlines is the most important requirement of Real-Time system.

• A Real Time System should not miss any deadlines for tasks (or) operations. For
example, in a nuclear plant safety system, missing a deadline may cause loss of
life /damage to property. Hence in hard real-time embedded systems which are
subject to very strict deadlines for performing specific tasks, the timing analysis is of
great importance.

Ex: Missile embedded with a tracking system, flight control systems, nuclear
plant safety system, and navigation system
Classification based on functionality and performance requirements
 Networked Information appliances
Embedded systems that are provided with network interfaces and accessed by
networks such as Local Area Network (LAN) or Internet are called as Networked
Information appliances.
Such embedded systems are connected to a network, typically a network running
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol) protocol suite.
They run the complete TCP/IP protocol stack and can communicate with other nodes
on the network.
Examples:
 A networked process control system consists of a no. of embedded systems
connected as a LAN. Each embedded system can send real-time data to a central
location from where the entire process control system can be monitored.
 A web camera which is connected to internet camera can send pictures in real-
time to any computer connected to internet. In such case, the web camera has to
run the HTTP server software in addition to the TCP/IP protocol stack.
 IoT applications – the door lock of your home can be controlled from your
desktop over the internet.
Classification based on functionality and performance requirements
 Mobile devices

• Mobile devices such as mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants(PDA), smart

phones etc. are a special category of embedded systems.

• Mobile devices are capable of supporting high data rate services in addition to the
voice services.

• Accessing internet services such as e-mail, World Wide Web and so on can be done
while a person is on the move. They are capable of handling multimedia
applications.

• The limitation of mobile devices – small size, lack of good user interfaces such as
full-fledged keyboard and display, memory constrains, battery life time etc.
 
 Purpose of Embedded System
1. Data Collection/Storage/Representation
2. Data communication
3. Data signal processing
4. Monitoring
5. Control
6. Application specific user interface
 Applications of Embedded systems
1. Consumer Electronics: Camera, Camcorders(Video capture and recording)
2. Household appliances: Digital TVs, DVD players, Set top boxes, Washing machine,
Refrigerator.
3. Automotive industry: Anti-lock breaking system (ABS), engine control, automatic
navigation system, engine control
4. Home automation & security systems: Air conditioners, sprinklers, fire alarms, CC cameras,
home security system
5. Telecom: Cellular phones, telephone switches, handset multimedia applications
6. Computer peripherals: Printers, scanners, fax machines
7. Computer networking systems: Network routers, switches, hubs, firewalls
8. Healthcare: EEG, ECG machines.
9. Banking & Retail: Automatic teller machines (ATM), Currency counters
10. Card Readers: Barcode, smart card readers.
11. Measurements & Instrumentation : Logic Analyzers, Spectrum analyzers, PLC systems,
Electronic data acquisition and supervisory control system, industrial process controller,
digital meters
12.  Missiles and Satellites : Defense, Aerospace, Communication, tracking system
13. Robotics : stepper motor controllers for a robotic system
14. Motor control systems : accurate control of speed and position of dc motor
15. Entertainment systems : video games, music system
16. Signal & Image processing : speech processing, pattern recognizer, video processing
 CORE OF EMBEDDED SYSTEM

Embedded systems are domain and application specific and are built around a
central core. The core of the embedded system falls into any of the following
categories:
1. General purpose and Domain specific Processors
(i) Microprocessors
(ii) Microcontrollers
(iii) Digital Signal Processors
2. Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC)
3. Complex Programmable Logic Devices(CPLD’s)
4. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA)
Microprocessors
•  A microprocessor is a silicon chip representing a central processing unit (CPU),
which is capable of performing arithmetic and logic operations according to a pre-
defined set of instructions.
• In general, the CPU contains ALU, Control Unit and working registers.
• A microprocessor is a dependent unit and it requires the combination of other
hardware like memory, timers, interrupt controller and I/O ports, etc. for proper
functioning.
• Microprocessors are used in general purpose applications.

Microcontrollers
•  A microcontroller is an integrated chip that contains CPU, data and program
memory ( RAM and ROM), special and general purpose registers, Timers,
Interrupt control unit and dedicated I/O ports.
• Since a microcontroller contains all the necessary functional blocks for
independent working, they found greater place in embedded domain.
• Microcontrollers are application oriented and used in domain-specific applications.
Digital Signal Processors
 
 DSPs are powerful special purpose 8/16/32 bit processors, designed specifically
to meet the computational demands and power constraints of today’s embedded
audio, video, signal processing and communication applications.
 
 DSPs implement algorithms in hardware which speeds up the execution whereas
general purpose processor implement the algorithm in software and the speed of
execution depends primarily on the clock for the processors.
 
 DSP performs large amount of real-time calculations like FFT(Fast Fourier
Transform), DFT(Discrete Fourier Transform), Convolution, SOP(Sum of
Products) calculation etc.
 
 Audio video signal processing, telecommunication and multimedia applications
are typical examples where DSPs are employed.
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)
 
1. ASIC is a microchip designed to perform a specific or unique application.
2. It integrates several functions into a single chip there by reduces the system
development cost.
3. As a single chip, ASIC consumes a very small area in the total system and thereby
helps in the design of smaller systems with high capabilities.
 
CPLD and FPGA
 
4. The PLDs consists of a large no. of programmable gates on a VLSI chip
5. With programmable logic devices like CPLDs and FPGAs, the designs can be
quickly simulated, tested and programmed into devices and immediately tested in
live circuits.
6. During the design phase, the circuit can be changed by programming the device to
get the desired outputs, because these devices are based on re-writable memory
technology.
7. These devices are used in Network routers, DSL modem, an automotive navigation
system
MEMORY TYPES:
MEMORY
 
(A) Program Memory / Read Only Memory (ROM)
 
 The Program memory /ROM are used to store the firmware in embedded
systems.
 ROM can only be used to read from, but cannot be written upon.
 These memory devices are NON-VOLATILE, which retains its contents even
if power is switched off.
 The ROM can store instructions which are required to start computer when
power is given to the computer. This operation is referred to as bootstrap.
 The ROM memory is not only used in   the computers but also in other
electronic devices like controllers, micro ovens, washing machines etc.
Types of ROM :
 

(i) Masked ROM (MROM) :

 Masked ROM makes use of the hardwired technology for storing data.

 It is factory programmed by masking and metallization process at the time

of production itself, according to the data provided by the end user.

 The advantage of this is low cost for high volume production. It is good for
storing the embedded firmware for low cost embedded devices.

 The limitation with MROM is the inability to modify the device firmware
against firmware updates.
(ii) Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM):

 Unlike Masked ROM, Programmable ROM is not pre-programmed by the

manufacturer. The end-user is the responsible for programming these
devices.

 The Programmable ROM can be modified only once by the user and hence
it is called as One Time Programmable (OTP) memory.

 The PROM is manufactured with series of fuses. The chip is programmed

by the programmer wherein some fuses are burnt.  The open fuses are read
as logic “1”, while the burned fuses are read as logic “0”.

 The limitation of PROM  Not useful for development purpose, as the

code is subject to continuous change during the development phase.
(iii) Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) :

 The Erasable Programmable ROM is one of the special types of memory

modules that can be programmed any number of times to correct the errors. It
can retain its contents until exposed to ultraviolet light.

 The ultraviolet light erases its contents and making it possible to re-program the
memory. To write and erase the EPROM memory chip, we need a special device
called EPROM programmer.

 Even though the EPROM chip is flexible in terms of re-programmability, it

needs to be taken out of the circuit board and put in a UV eraser device for 20 to
30 min. So it is a tedious and time consuming process.
 
(iv) Electrical Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM) :

 As the name indicates, the information contained in EEPROM can be

altered by using electrical signals at the register/byte level.

 The EEPROM data is stored and removed one byte of data at a time.

 These are in-circuit programmable, i.e., EEPROM does not need to be

removed from the computer to be modified and does not require the
additional equipment.

 It provides greater flexibility for system design. The only limitation is their
capacity is limited when compared to standard ROM.

 These memory devices are used in computers and other electronic devices
to store small amount of data that must be saved when the power supply is
removed.
(v) Flash memory :

 FLASH memory is the latest and most popular ROM technology used in
today’s embedded designs.

 Flash memory is a variation of EEPROM technology. It combines the re-

programmability of EEPROM and the high capacity of standard ROMs.

 Flash memory is organized as sectors/blocks/pages.

 The erasing of memory can be done at sector level (or) page level without
affecting the other sectors (or) pages.

 The flash memory keeps its data even with no power at all. 
(vi) NVRAM (Non-volatile RAM):

 Non-volatile RAM is a random access memory with battery backup.

 It contains static RAM based memory and a minute battery for providing
supply to the memory in the absence of external power supply.

 The memory and battery are packed together in a single package.

Read-Write Memory/ Random Access Memory ( RAM):

 RAM is the data memory or working memory of the controller/processor.

Controller/processor can read from it and write to it.

 RAM is volatile, meaning when the power is turned off, all the contents
are destroyed.

 RAM is a direct access memory, meaning we can access the desired

memory location directly without the need for traversing through the entire
memory locations to reach the desired memory position.
Classification of Memory (RAM):
Static RAM ( SRAM):
 Static RAM stores data in the form of voltage.
 They are made up of flip-flops.
 Static RAM is the fastest form of RAM available.
 An SRAM cell (bit) is realised using six transistors (or 6 MOSFETs). Four of
the transistors are used for building the latch (flip-flop) part of the memory cell
and two for controlling the access.

SRAM cell implementation Visualisation of SRAM cell

 The SRAM can be visualised as two-cross coupled inverters with
read/write control through transistors. The four transistors in the middle
form the cross-coupled inverters.

 The memory cell is controlled by the line Word Line, which controls the
access transistors (MOSFETs) Q5 and Q6. The access transistors control
the connection to bit lines B & B\.

 In order to write a value to the memory cell, For writing 1,make B = 1

and B\ =0; For writing 0, make B = 0 and B\ =1, and the Word Line high.

 For reading the content of the memory cell, assert both B and B\ bit lines
to 1 and set the Word line to 1.

Limitations of SRAM:
1. Low capacity
2. High cost.
 Dynamic RAM ( DRAM):

 Dynamic RAM stores data in the form of charge. They are

made up of MOS transistor gates.

 Special circuits called The MOSFET acts as the gate for

the incoming and outgoing data whereas the capacitor acts
as the bit storage unit.

 DRAM controllers are used for the refreshing operation.

The refresh operation is done periodically in milliseconds DRAM cell
implementation
interval.

Advantages: High density and low cost

Disadvantage: Need to be refreshed periodically.

Merits and Demerits of SRAM and DRAM:

SRAM cell DRAM cell

Made up of 6 CMOS transistors Made up of a MOSFET and a
(MOSFET) capacitor
Doesn’t require refreshing Requires refreshing

Low capacity (Less dense) High capacity (Highly dense)

More expensive Less expensive

Fast in operation. Typical access Slow in operation due to refresh
time is 10ns requirements. Typical access
time is 60ns. Write operation is
faster than read operation.
NVRAM (Non-volatile RAM):

 Non-volatile RAM is a random access memory with battery backup.

 It contains static RAM based memory and a minute battery for

providing supply to the memory in the absence of external power
supply.

 The memory and battery are packed together in a single package.

 SENSORS

 A sensor (also called detector) is a converter that measures a

physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read
by an observer or by an (today mostly electronic) instrument.

 Ideal sensors are designed to be linear or linear to some simple

mathematical function of the measurement, typically
logarithmic.

 The output signal of such a sensor is linearly proportional to the

value or simple function of the measured property.

 The sensitivity is then defined as the ratio between output signal

and measured property.
Different applications of sensors:

 Automotive, transportation:

• Oxygen sensor: used to monitor the amount of oxygen in the exhaust

• Parking sensor: used to alert the driver of unseen obstacles during parking
• Radar gun: used to detect the speed of other objects
• Speedometer: used measure the instantaneous speed of a land vehicle
• Speed sensor: used to detect the speed of an object.
• Vehicle speed sensor (VSS): used to measure the speed of the vehicle
• Water sensor or water-in-fuel sensor: used to indicate the presence of water
in fuel
• Wheel speed sensor: used for reading the speed of a vehicle’s wheel rotation
 Acoustic, sound, vibration:
• Geophone
• Hydrophone
• Lace Sensor a guitar pickup
• Microphone
• Seismometer

 Electric current, electric potential, magnetic, radio:

• Current sensor
• Galvanometer
• Hall effect sensor
• Radio direction finder
• Voltage detector

 Navigation instruments:
• Air speed indicator
• Altimeter
• Attitude indicator
• Depth gauge
 Attenuators

 An attenuator is an electronic device that reduces the power of a signal

without appreciably distorting its waveform.

 Attenuators are usually passive devices made from simple voltage divider
networks.

 Fixed attenuators in circuits are used to lower voltage, dissipate power,

and to improve impedance matching.

 Attenuator Characteristics:

Attenuation expressed in decibels of relative power. A 3dB pad

reduces power to one half, 6dB to one fourth, 10dB to one tenth, 20 dB
to one hundredth, 30dB to one thousandth and so on.
Radio Attenuators:

Radio frequency attenuators are typically coaxial in structure with

precision connectors as ports and coaxial, micro strip or thin-film
internal structure.

characteristics are:
• accuracy
• low SWR,
• flat frequency-response and
• Repeatability.

Audio Attenuators:

A line-level attenuator in the preamp or a power attenuator after the

power amplifier uses electrical resistance to reduce the amplitude of the
signal that reaches the speaker, reducing the volume of the output.
Actuators:

 Actuator is a form of transducer device(mechanical or

electrical) which converts signals to corresponding physical
action(motion).
 Actuators act as an output device.
 For example take Smart running shoe for this actuator is used
for adjusting the position of the cushioning element .
Comparison chart:

BASIS FOR
SENSORS ACTUATORS
COMPARISON

Basic Used to measure the Impel continuous and

continuous and discrete processes
discrete process parameters.
variables.

Placed at Input port Output port

Outcome Electrical signal Heat or motion

Example Magnetometer, LED, Laser,

Cameras, Loudspeaker,
Accelerometer, Solenoid, motor
microphones. controllers.
COMMUNICATION INTERFACE:
Communication interface is essential for communicating with various
subsystems of the embedded system and with external world.
In the communication interface mainly there are two perspectives. There
are:
1)device/board level communications interface(onboard level
communication interface)
2)product level communication interface(External level communication
interface)
Embedded product is a combination of different types of components
(chips/devices) on the PCB.
Serial interface like 12c,SPI,UART,1-WIRE etc.... and parallel bus
interface are examples of onboard communication interface.
Onboard communication interface:
1) It refers to different communication channels/buses for interconnecting
the various circuits and peripherals with in embedded system.
Inter integrated circuit(12c) bus:

• Synchronous bi-directional half duplex(one-directional communication at a given point of

time) two wire serial interface bus.
• Developed by Philips semiconductors in 1980’s.
• The original intension of 12c is to provide an easy way of connections between
microprocessors/ micro controllers systems and peripherals chips in tv sets.
•The I2C bus interface is built around an input buffer and an open drain or collector
transistor. When the bus is in the idle state, the open drain/collector transistor will be in the
floating state and the output lines (SDA and SCL) switch to the ‘High Impedance’ state.
Serial peripheral interface(SPI) bus:

• Synchronous bi-directional full duplex 4 wire serial interface bus

• Introduced by Motorola

• It is single master multi slave system

• Requires 4 signal lines of communication

1)Master Out Slave In(Mosi)

2)Master In Slave Out(Miso)
3)Serial Clock(Sclk)
4)Slave Select(Ss)
Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter:

 UART based data transmission is an asynchronous form of serial data transmission.

 UART based serial data transmission doesn't require a clock signal to synchronize the
transmitting end and receiving end for transmission.
1-wire interface:

•Asynchronous half duplex communication protocol

• Developed by maxim dollar semiconductor.

• So it is known as dollar 1-wire protocol

• It uses single signal line(wire) called DQ for communication and follows master
slava communication model
PARALLEL INTERFACE :

 The on- board parallel interface is normally used for communicating

with peripheral devices which are memory mapped to host of the
system.

 The communication through parallel bus is controlled by the control

signal interface between the device and the host.
External communication interface:
It is used to communicate with the external world like
1)RS-232c and RS-485

2)USB:
• Wired high speed serial bus for data communication.

• USB port can support connections up to 127 including slave peripherals/devise and
other hosts
• It follows star topology
• USB transmits data in packet form and each data packet has a standard form.
• USB host consists a host controller it is responsible for controlling the data
communications.
RS-232 C & RS-485 RS-232 C:
 (Recommended Standard number 232, revision C from the
Electronic Industry Association) is a legacy, full duplex, wired, asynchronous serial
communication interface.
The RS-232 interface is developed by the Electronics Industries Association (EIA) during
the early 1960s.
RS-232 extends the UART communication signals for external data communication.
RS-232 follows the EIA standard for bit transmission.
The RS-232 interface defines various handshaking and control signals for communication
apart from the ‘Transmit’ and ‘Receive’ signal lines for data communication. RS-232
supports two different types
of connectors, namely;
 DB-9: 9-Pin connector and
 DB-25: 25-Pin connector
Ieee 1394(FIRE WIRE):

• Wired isochronous high speed serial communication bus

• It is also known as high performance serial bus(HPSB)
• Research started by Apple inc. in 1985
• Allows peer-to-peer communication and point-to multipoint communication and are
connected in tree topology.

Other types are like

1)Infrared
2)Wi-Fi
3)Bluetooth
4)Zig bee
5)Gprs(general packet radio services)
INFRARED:

Infrared (IrDA) is a serial, half duplex, line of sight based wireless

technology for data communication between devices.
It is in use from the olden days of communication .
 The remote control of your TV, VCD player, etc. works on Infrared
data communication principle.

WI-FI:
Wi-Fi or Wireless Fidelity is the popular wireless communication technique for
networked communication of devices
BLUETOOTH:
Bluetooth is a low cost, low power, short range wireless technology for
data and audio communication.
Bluetooth was first proposed by ‘Ericsson’ in 1994.
Bluetooth operates at 2.4GHz of the Radio Frequency spectrum and uses the
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technique for communication.

ZigBee :
ZigBee is a low power, low cost, wireless network communication protocol
based on the IEEE 802.15.4-2006 standard.
ZigBee is targeted for low power, low data rate and secure applications
for Wireless Personal Area Networking (WPAN).
 The ZigBee specifications support a robust mesh network containing
multiple nodes.
This networking strategy makes the network reliable by permitting
messages to travel through a number of different paths to get from one node
to another.
ZIGBEE MODEL
CHARACTERSTICS OF EMBEDDED SYSTEM:

Unlike general purpose computing systems, embedded systems possess

certain specific characteristics and these characteristics are unique to each
embedded system. Some of the important characteristics of an embedded
system are as follows:

(1) Application and domain specific

(2) Reactive and Real Time
(3) Operates in harsh environments
(4) Distributed
(5) Small size and weight
(6) Power concerns
Application and Domain Specific:

If you closely observe any embedded system, you will find that each embedded system
is designed to perform a set of defined functions and they are developed in such a manner
to do the intended functions only. They cannot be used for any other purpose. It is the
major criterion which distinguishes an embedded system from a general purpose
computing system.
 For example, you cannot replace the embedded control unit of your
microwave oven with your air conditioner’s embedded control unit, because the
embedded control units of microwave oven and air conditioner are specifically designed
to perform certain specific tasks.
Also, you cannot replace an embedded control unit developed for a particular domain
say telecom with another control unit designed to serve another domain like consumer
electronics.
 Reactive and Real Time:

As mentioned earlier, embedded systems are in constant interaction with the Real world
through sensors and user-defined input devices which are connected to the input port of the
system.
Any changes happening in the Real world (which is called an Event) are captured by the
sensors or input devices in Real Time and the control algorithm running inside the unit reacts
in a designed manner to bring the controlled output variables
to the desired level.
Real Time System operation means the timing behavior of the system should be
deterministic; meaning the system should respond to requests or tasks in a known amount of
time.
A Real Time system should not miss any deadlines for tasks or operations. It is not
necessary that all embedded systems should be Real Time in operations.
Operates in Harsh Environment:

It is not necessary that all embedded systems should be deployed in controlled
environments.
 The environment in which the embedded system deployed may be a dusty one or a
high temperature zone or an area subject to vibrations and shock.
 Systems placed in such areas should be capable to withstand all these adverse
operating conditions.
 The design should take care of the operating conditions of the area where the
system is going to implement.
Distributed:
The term distributed means that embedded systems may be a part of larger
systems.
Many numbers of such distributed embedded systems form a single large
embedded control unit.
An automatic vending machine is a typical example for this.
Another example is the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM).

Small Size and Weight:

Product aesthetics is an important factor in choosing a product. For example, when you
plan to buy a new mobile phone, you may make a comparative study on the pros and cons
of the products available in the market.
Definitely the product aesthetics (size, weight, shape, style, etc.) will be one of the
deciding factors to choose a product. People believe in the phrase “Small is beautiful”.
Power Concerns:

Power management is another important factor that needs to be considered in

designing embedded systems. Embedded systems should be designed in such a way as
to minimize the heat dissipation by the system.
The low power components like low dropout regulators, and controllers/processors
with power saving modes.
 Also power management is a critical constraint in battery operated
application.
The more the power consumption the less is the battery life.
THANK YOU