Chapter 0

Introduction to Embedded Systems

 Topics
• Introduction to embedded systems
– What are embedded systems?
– Examples
• Internal organization of computers
– The different parts of a computer
• I/O
• Memory
• CPU
– Connecting the different parts
• Connecting memory to CPU
• Connecting I/Os to CPU
– How computers work?
2
 What are Embedded Systems?
• Embedded Systems are
special-purpose computer
systems designed to perform
one or few dedicated
functions

• Embedded systems are

virtually everywhere in
your daily life
– Automobiles, entertainment,
communication, aviation, handheld
devices, military, medical equipment

3
ES vs. General-Purpose
What Computing
are Embedded Systems?

4
 Examples
Examples ofEmbedded Systems
Embedded Systems?
Consumer electronics, for example MP3 Audio,
digital camera, home electronics, …

5
 Examples
Examples ofEmbedded Systems
Embedded Systems?

Cars as Integrated control, communication and

information system

6
 Review questions
1. Which of the following is true ?
A. An embedded system is a computer system optimized for cost and
average speed
B. An embedded system is not programmable by end users
C. An embedded system is designed to perform one or few dedicated
functions
D. B and C

2. Which of the following is true ?

A. A washing machine is an embedded system
B. Embedded systems have hardware and software components
C. Embedded systems have only hardware components
D. A and C

3. Embedded systems hardware components consist of :

A. Analog components and A2D and D2A converters
B. Sensors and actuators digital components
C. Processors, memory and I/O interface devices
D. A and C
7
 Internal organization of computers

• CPU
• Memory
• I/O
– Input: Keyboard, Mouse,
Sensor
– Output: LCD, printer,
hands of a robot

8
 Memory

• Everything that can store,

retain, and recall information.
– E.g. hard disk, a piece of
paper, etc.

9
 Memory characteristics
• Capacity
– The number of bits that a memory can store.
• E.g. 128 Kbits, 256 Mbits
• Organization
– How the locations are organized 4 bits
0

128 locations
• E.g. a 128 x 4 memory has 128 locations,
1
2

4 bits each

…
• Access time 127

– How long it takes to get data from memory

10
 Review questions
1. A memory chip has 512K bits capacity and 8 pins for data. Which of
the following is true ?
A. The chip has 19 address lines
B. The chip has 16 address lines
C. The chip has 15 address lines
D. None of the above
2. A memory chip has 512K bits capacity and 16 pins for data. Which of
the following is true ?
A. The chip has 19 address lines
B. The chip has 16 address lines
C. The chip has 15 address lines
D. None of the above

3. A memory chip has 8 pins for data bus and 14 pins for address bus.
This memory chip is has an organization of :
A. 16K × 4
B. 32K × 8
C. 64K × 8
D. None of the above

11
 Memory
• Semiconductors

• Non-semiconductors The pictures are copied from http://www.wikipedia.org/

12
 Semiconductor memories

• ROM • RAM
– Mask ROM – Static RAM (SRAM)
– PROM (Programmable – Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
ROM) – Nonvolatile RAM (NV-
– EPROM (Erasable RAM)
PROM)
– EEPROM (Electronic
Erasable PROM)
– Flash EPROM

13
 Memory\ROM\ Mask ROM

• Programmed by the IC manufacturer

14
 Memory\ROM\ PROM (Programmable ROM)
• OTP (One-Time Programmable)
– You can program it only once

15
Memory\ROM\ EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM)

• UV-EPROM
– Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is used to
erase it
– Erasing takes up to 20 minutes
– The entire contents of ROM are erased

2764

16
 Memory\ROM\ EEPROM (Electrically Erasable
Programmable ROM)
• Erased Electrically RDY/BSY
A12
VCC
WE

– Erased instantly A7 NC
A6 8K x 8 A8
A5 A9
– Each byte can be erased separately A4 A11
A3 OE
A2 A10
A1 CE
A0 I/O7
I/O0 I/O6
I/O1 I/O5
I/O2 I/O4
VSS I/O3

17
 Memory\ROM\ Flash ROM
• Erased in a Flash
• the entire device is erased at once

18
 Semiconductor memories

• ROM • RAM
– Mask ROM – Static RAM (SRAM)
– PROM (Programmable – Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
ROM) – Nonvolatile RAM (NV-
– EPROM (Erasable RAM)
PROM)
– EEPROM (Electronic
Erasable PROM)
– Flash EPROM

19
 Memory\RAM\ SRAM (Static RAM)
• Made of transistors, using
flip-flop-like architecture
2K x 8
• Advantages: SRAM

– Faster
– No need for refreshing
• Disadvantages:
– High power consumption
– Expensive

20
 Memory\RAM\ DRAM (Dynamic RAM)
• Made of capacitors
• Advantages:
– Less power consumption
– Cheaper
– High capacity
• Disadvantages:
– Slower
– Refresh needed

21
 Memory\RAM\ NV-RAM (Nonvolatile RAM)
• Made of SRAM, Battery, control circuitry
• Advantages:
– Very fast
– Infinite program/erase cycle
– Non-volatile
• Disadvantage:
– Expensive

22
 Review questions
1. Which of the following is true ?
A. A Dynamic RAM (DRAM) device is selected in a system where the
storage capacity is more important than the access time speed.
B. Ultraviolet light is generally used to erase the content of an EEPROM
device.
C. EEPROM is a non volatile memory device
D. A and C

2. What are advantages of NVRAM compared to EEPROM?

A. NVRAM is non-volatile and EEPROM is volatile.
B. NVARM has faster write access time than EEPROM.
C. NVARM is less expensive than EEPROM
D. A and C

23
 Inside the CPU
• PC (Program Counter)
• Instruction decoder
• ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
• Registers

PC A
ALU B

CPU C
D
Instruction decoder registers

24
Von Neumann vs. Harvard architecture

Data bus Data bus

Code Data
Memory Address bus CPU Address bus Memory
Control bus Control bus

• Harvard architecture

Code Data
Memory Memory

Data bus
CPU Address bus
Control bus

• Von Neumann architecture

25
 RECOMMENDED PROBLEMS
PROBLEMS HIGHLIGHTED IN RED

CHAPTER-0 [Introduction to Computing E]

 
Problems:
S01(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). S03 (30, 31, 32, 33,34, 37, 38),S04 (39, 40, 42, 43,
44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50), S06(64, 65, 66).

26