Embedded System Definition

Embedded System classification

Building Embedded System
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Embedded System Definition
An embedded system is a microprocessor- or microcontroller-based system of
hardware and software designed to perform dedicated functions within a larger
mechanical or electrical system.

What is an Embedded System?

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. At the core is an integrated circuit designed to
carry out computation for real-time operations.

Complexities range from a single microcontroller to a suite of processors with

connected peripherals and networks; from no user interface to complex graphical user
interfaces. The complexity of an embedded system varies significantly depending on
the task for which it is designed.

Embedded system applications range from digital watches and microwaves to hybrid
vehicles and avionics. As much as 98 percent of all microprocessors manufactured are
used in embedded systems.

How an Embedded System Works

Embedded systems are managed by microcontrollers or digital signal processors
(DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field-programmable gate
arrays (FPGA), GPU technology, and gate arrays. These processing systems are
integrated with components dedicated to handling electric and/or mechanical
interfacing.

Embedded systems programming instructions, referred to as firmware, are stored in

read-only memory or flash memory chips, running with limited computer hardware
resources. Embedded systems connect with the outside world through peripherals,
linking input and output devices.

Basic Structure of an Embedded System

The basic structure of an embedded system includes the following components:

 Sensor: The sensor measures and converts the physical quantity to an electrical
signal, which can then be read by an embedded systems engineer or any electronic
instrument. 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 assess the data to measure the output and store it to
the memory.
 D-A Converter: A digital-to-analog converter changes 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
output stored and stores the approved output.

History of Embedded Operating Systems

The first modern, real-time embedded computing system was the Apollo Guidance
Computer, developed in the 1960s by Dr. Charles Stark Draper at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology for the Apollo Program. The Apollo Guidance Computer was
designed to collect data automatically and provide mission-critical calculations for the
Apollo Command Module and Lunar Module.

In 1971, Intel released the first commercially available microprocessor unit -- the Intel
4004 -- an early microprocessor that still required support chips and external memory;
in 1978 the National Engineering Manufacturers Association released a standard for
programmable microcontrollers, improving the embedded system design; and by the
early 1980s, memory, input and output system components had been integrated into
the same chip as the processor, forming a microcontroller.

The microcontroller-based embedded system would go on to be incorporated into

every aspect of consumers’ daily lives, from credit card readers and cell phones, to
traffic lights and thermostats.

Future Trends in Embedded Systems

The industry for embedded systems is expected to continue growing rapidly, driven
by the continued development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and
Augmented Reality (AR), machine learning , deep learning, and the Internet of Things
(IoT). The cognitive embedded system will be at the heart of such trends as: reduced
energy consumption, improved security for embedded devices, cloud connectivity and
mesh networking, deep learning applications, and visualization tools with real time
data.

According to a 2018 report published by QYResearch, the global market for the
embedded systems industry was valued at $68.9 billion in 2017 and is expected to rise
to $105.7 billion by the end of 2025.

OmniSci Data Integration

GPU-powered embedded system applications need an accelerated analytics platform.
The OmniSciDB open source GPU database acts as a hot cache for analytical datasets
and is capable of ingesting millions of records a second.

Today’s analysts and data scientists are challenged with a growing ecosystem of data
sources and warehouses, making big data integration more complex than ever. Your
data lives in many data warehouses and data lakes; it continually flows in through
streams or rests as point-in-time files. Regardless of the source, OmniSci easily
handles data ingestion of millions of records per second into the OmniSciDB open
source SQL engine.

Embedded systems are classified into four categories based on their performance and
functional requirements:

 Stand alone embedded systems

 Real time embedded systems
 Networked embedded systems
 Mobile embedded systems

Embedded Systems are classified into three types based on the performance of the
microcontroller such as

 Small scale embedded systems

 Medium scale embedded systems
 Sophisticated embedded systems
Stand Alone Embedded Systems

Stand alone embedded systems do not require a host system like a computer, it works
by itself. It takes the input from the input ports either analog or digital and processes,
calculates and converts the data and gives the resulting data through the connected
device-Which either controls, drives and displays the connected devices. Examples
for the stand alone embedded systems are mp3 players, digital cameras, video game
consoles, microwave ovens and temperature measurement systems.

Real Time Embedded Systems

A real time embedded system is defined as, a system which gives a required o/p in a
particular time.These types of embedded systems follow the time deadlines for
completion of a task. Real time embedded systems are classified into two types such
as soft and hard real time systems.

Networked Embedded Systems

These types of embedded systems are related to a network to access the resources.
The connected network can be LAN, WAN or the internet. The connection can be any
wired or wireless. This type of embedded system is the fastest growing area in
embedded system applications. The embedded web server is a type of system wherein
all embedded devices are connected to a web server and accessed and controlled by a
web browser.Example for the LAN networked embedded system is a home security
system wherein all sensors are connected and run on the protocol TCP/IP

Mobile Embedded Systems

Mobile embedded systems are used in portable embedded devices like cell phones,
mobiles, digital cameras, mp3 players and personal digital assistants, etc.The basic
limitation of these devices is the other resources and limitation of memory.

Small Scale Embedded Systems

These types of embedded systems are designed with a single 8 or 16-bit

microcontroller, that  may even be activated by a battery. For developing embedded
software for small scale embedded systems, the main programming tools are an
editor, assembler,  cross assembler and integrated development environment (IDE).

Medium Scale Embedded Systems

These types of embedded systems design with a single or 16 or 32 bit microcontroller,

RISCs or DSPs. These types of embedded systems have both hardware and software
complexities. For developing embedded software for medium scale embedded
systems, the main programming tools are C, C++, JAVA, Visual C++, RTOS,
debugger, source code engineering tool, simulator and IDE.
Sophisticated Embedded Systems

These types of embedded systems have enormous hardware and software

complexities, that may need ASIPs, IPs, PLAs, scalable or configurable processors.
They are used for cutting-edge applications that need hardware and software Co-
design and  components which have to assemble  in the final system.

Applications of Embedded Systems:

Embedded systems are used in different applications like automobiles,

telecommunications, smart cards, missiles, satellites, computer networking and digital
consumer electronics.

Applications of Embedded Systems

Embedded Systems in Automobiles and in telecommunications

 Motor and cruise control system

 Body or Engine safety
 Entertainment and multimedia in car
 E-Com and Mobile access
 Robotics in assembly line
 Wireless communication
 Mobile computing and networking

Embedded Systems in Smart Cards, Missiles and Satellites

 Security systems
 Telephone and banking
 Defense and aerospace
 Communication

Embedded Systems in Peripherals  & Computer Networking

 Displays and Monitors

 Networking Systems
 Image Processing
 Network cards and printers

Embedded Systems in Consumer Electronics

 Digital Cameras
 Set top Boxes
 High Definition TVs
 DVDs

This is all about the embedded systems, types of embedded systems with their
applications. We all know that these systems are extremely fabulous systems that play
a vital role in many devices, equipments, industrial control systems, industrial
instrumentation and home appliances irrespective of circuit complexity. Considering
the huge significance of embedded systems, this embedded systems article deserves
readers’ feedback, queries, suggestions and comments. Furthermore, for any queries
regarding electronics projects, readers can post their comments in the comment
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