Embedded system
Jouni Könönen
About the course
Learning goals
The student is able to
Recognize the main components of an embedded system and understand the
system architecture
Describe the properties of different electronics components and choose
appropriate components for the application
Design and implement embedded software in the MicroPython / C
programming language
Design and implement a simple embedded device
About the course
Grading
No exam,
Weekly exercises during lectures
Still, to keep up with the course, you need to work outside the lectures,
too!
Grading based on the practical work and presentation
To be done in groups
More details later!
When you start doing the practical work and come across
problems/questions/interesting topics, you can propose topics for the common
discussion (“lectures”)
About the course
Topics
Focus on embedded software development, especially programming
Something about hardware, too
What’s inside a microprocessor?
What kind of peripherals could a typical embedded device use?
What kind of volatile and non-volatile memories there are, how do you
interface them?
etc.
Programming to be done in the MicroPython and C programming language
Practicalities
We’ll use Raspberry Pi Pico WH when doing the examples
Code shown during the classes will be stored in GitHub
IoT and Embedded Systems / ESF2024· GitHub
Some semblance of professional SW development is attempted by using
issues/tickets and doing the example code in Git branches
IDE - Visual Studio Code should have familiar.
The equipment (Pico’s and a set of peripherals) is about to be made available
to the small group.
Groups will be made ASAP.
The group will choose a person responsible for ensuring that the equipment
remains intact and is returned at the end of the course.
If the equipment breaks down, the group is jointly responsible for it.
Lecture contents today
Embedded systems
Features
Definition
Different types
Devices
Architecture
Components
What kind of features do
embedded systems have?
Discuss in small groups and write down your thoughts on Answer Carden
services (QR code)
Working time is 10 min.
https://answergarden.ch/4167378
An embedded system -
Definition
An embedded system is a specialized computer system — a combination of a
computer processor, computer memory, and input/output peripheral devices
— that has a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electronic
system.
It is embedded as part of a complete device often including electrical or
electronic hardware and mechanical parts.
Because an embedded system typically controls physical operations of the
machine that it is embedded within, it often has real-time computing
constraints.
Embedded systems control many devices in common use.
Modern embedded systems
Modern embedded systems are often based on microcontrollers (i.e.
microprocessors with integrated memory and peripheral interfaces),
Ordinary microprocessors (using external chips for memory and peripheral
interface circuits) are also common, especially in more complex systems.
In either case, the processor(s) used may be types ranging from general
purpose to those specialized in a certain class of computations, or even
custom designed for the application at hand.
A common standard class of dedicated processors is the digital signal
processor (DSP).
Types of embedded systems
When considering performance and functional requirements, embedded
systems are categorized into real-time embedded systems, standalone
embedded systems, networked embedded systems, and mobile embedded
systems.
Real-time embedded systems prioritize prompt output generation and can be
classified as soft real-time (lenient deadlines) or hard real-time (strict
deadlines).
Standalone embedded systems can function independently without a host
computer.
Networked embedded systems rely on network connections and
communication for output generation.
Mobile embedded systems refer to small, portable devices such as
smartphones and laptops.
Finally, when classified based on microcontroller performance, embedded
systems are divided into small-scale, medium-scale, and sophisticated
Source:
categories, depending on the bit size of the microcontroller.
What kind of embedded
devices do you know?
Discuss in small groups and write down your thoughts on Answer Carden
services (QR code)
Working time is 10 min.
https://answergarden.ch/4168507
Embedded devices
industrial machines,
consumer electronics,
agricultural and processing industry devices,
automobiles,
medical devices,
cameras,
digital watches,
household appliances,
airplanes,
vending machines,
toys and mobile devices.
Source
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3N_Zuu : https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/trends-and-innovations-in-em
bedded-system-education/50296575
2bqA
Embedded System architecture
Hardware Components
Microcontroller/Microprocessor: The brain of the system, responsible for
executing instructions.
Memory: Includes RAM (for temporary data storage), ROM (for
permanent storage of the system’s firmware), and sometimes Flash
memory.
Power Supply: Provides the necessary power for the system to operate,
typically ranging from 1.8V to 5V.
Input/Output Interfaces: These include sensors, actuators, and
communication interfaces like UART, SPI, and I2C2.
Timers and Counters: Used for managing time-dependent tasks and
events.
Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog Converters
(DAC): Convert analog signals to digital data and vice versa3.
Software Components
Application Software: The specific programs that run on the hardware to
perform the desired tasks4.
Real-Time Operating System (RTOS): Manages the hardware resources
Source:
What Are the Components of
Embedded Systems –Topics
Team work
In small groups, research the topic you have
1. Power supply
chosen and prepare a presentation on it,
showing what it is, properties and how it or
2. Microcontroller and
they are used in embedded systems.
microprocessor
3. Memory
4. Timer and counter
5. Input/output
Communication interface
6. USB, I2C,
7. UART,
8. RS-485
Source:
https://medium.com/@embeddedhash.in/what-are-the-components-of-em 9. SPI
bedded-systems-448e8a8219ec
Electrical circuit
Depending on the application, embedded systems can contain customized
electrical circuits. Some of the basic components used in electrical circuits of
embedded systems are:
• Printed circuit board (PCB)
• Resistor
• Capacitor
• Diode
• Transistor
• Integrated circuit
• Light-emitting diode (LED)
• Inductor
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