EMBEDDED

SYSTEMS
Presenters
Alicia
Tasara
What are • An embedded system is a
combination of hardware and
software which is designed to

Embedde
carry out a specific set of
functions. The hardware is
electronic, electrical or electro-
mechanical.

d
• Embedded systems can be based
on 3 main controllers namely:
1. Microcontrollers

systems.
2. Microprocessor
3. system on chips (SoC)
Microcontrollers

• this has a CPU in addition to some RAM and

ROM and other peripherals all embedded onto
one single chip (together they carry out a
specific task).
• A microcontroller is a compact
integrated circuit designed to govern
a specific operation in an embedded
system. A typical microcontroller
includes a processor, memory and
input/output peripherals on a single
chip.
What are they
used for?

• to control the functions of embedded

systems in office machines, robots,
home appliances, motor vehicles, and
a number of other gadgets
Microprocess
or
• integrated circuit which only has a CPU on the chip (there
is no RAM, ROM or peripherals – these need to be added)
• A microprocessor is a computer system for
which the data processing logic and control is
included on a single integrated circuit (IC), or
a small number of ICs. The microprocessor
contains the arithmetic, logic, and control
circuitry required to perform the functions of a
computer’s central processing unit (CPU). The
IC is capable of interpreting and executing
program instructions and performing arithmetic
operations.The microprocessor is a
multipurpose, clock-driven , register-
based, digital integrated circuit that
accepts binary data as input, processes it
according to instructions stored in its
memory , and provides results (also in binary
form) as output. Microprocessors contain
both combinational logic and sequencial
digital system, and operate on numbers and
symbols represented in the binary number
system.
What are they
used for?
• accepts binary data as input,
processes it according to
instructions stored in its
memory, and provides results
(also in binary form) as output.
System on chips (SoC)

• this may contain a microcontroller as one of its

components (they almost always will include CPU,
memory, input/output (I/O) ports and secondary storage
on a single microchip)
• A system on a chip or system-on-chip is
an integrated circuit that integrates most or
all components of a computer or
other electronic system . These components
almost always include on-chip central
processing unit (CPU), memory
interfaces, input/output devices and
interfaces, and secondary storage interfaces,
often alongside other components such
as radio modems and a graphics processing
unit (GPU) – all on a single substrate or
microchip. SoCs may contain digital and
also analog, mixed signal and often radio
frequency processing functions (otherwise it
may be considered on a discrete application
processor).
What are they used for?

• SoCs integrate wireless

connectivity and multimedia
capabilities in smartphones and
tablets.
• Depending on the device, embedded
systems are either programmable or
non- programmable. Non-
programmable devices need, in general,
to be replaced if they require a
software upgrade. Programmable
devices permit upgrading by two
methods , connecting the device to a
computer and allowing the download
of updates to the software (for
example, this is used to update maps
on GPS system used in a vehicle.
Advantages of using
embedded systems

• they are small in size and therefore easy to fit

into devices.
• compared to other systems, they are relatively
low cost to make.
• they are usually dedicated to one task allowing
simple interfaces and often no requirement for
an operating system.
• they consume very little power .
• they can be controlled remotely using a mobile
phone.
Disadvanta
• it can be difficult to upgrade some
devices to upgrade some devices to take
advantage of new technology
• Troubleshooting faults in the device

ges of becomes a specialist task

• although the interface can appear to be
more simple (e.g. a single knob) in reality

using
it can be more confusing (e.g. changing
the time on a cooker clock can require
several steps!) they consume very little
power

embedded
• any device that can be accessed over the
internet is also open to hackers, viruses,
etc.
• due to the difficulty in upgrading and

systems. fault finding, devices are often just

thrown away rather than being repaired
(very wasteful)
 • Motor vehicles
Examples • Modern cars have many parts that rely on embedded systems to function correctly.

of use of • Set-top boxExhaust emissionsTraction control In this example, a set-top box uses an
embedded system to allow, for example, recording and playback of television programmes.

embedded This can be operated remotely by the user when not at home using an internet-enabled
device or by using the interface panel when at home. The embedded system will look after
many of the functions involving inputs from a number of sources such as a Solid State
systems Device (SSD) (where television programmes can be stored or retrieved) or a satellite signal
(where it will be necessary to decode the incoming signals)
 • Embedded systems are used in
modern sophisticated lighting
systems from simple home use
to major architectural lighting

Lighting
systems. We will concentrate
here on a lighting system used in
a large office. The system needs
to control the lighting taking into

systems
account:
• the time of day or day of the
week .
• » whether the room is occupied
• » the brightness of the natural
light.
• Some lighting systems use Bluetooth light bulbs. This allows
the embedded system to control each bulb independently.
Many of the bulbs available today use LEDs and many come
in a number of colours to change the mood.
Vending systems

• Vending machines make considerable use of

embedded systems. They usually use
microcontrollers to control a number of functions
that we all associate with vending machine
• At the heart of the vending machine is an
embedded system in the form of a
microcontroller. Inputs to this system come from
the keypad (item selection) and from sensors
(used to count the coins inserted by the customer,
the temperature inside the machine and a ‘tilt
sensor’ for security purposes)
The outputs!
• » actuators to operate the motors, which drive the helixes (see figure
below) to give the customers their selected item(s)
• signals to operate the cooling system if the temperature is too high
• » item description and any change due shown on an LCD display panel
• » data sent back to the vending machine company so that they can
remotely check sales activity (which could include instructions to refill
the machine) without the need to visit each machine.
Washing
machines
• Many ‘white goods’ (such as refrigerators,
washing machines, microwave ovens, and so
on) are controlled by embedded systems.
They all come with a keypad or dials that are
used to select the temperature, wash cycle
or cooking duration. This data forms the
input to the embedded system, which then
carries out the required task without any
further human intervention. As with other
devices, these ‘white goods’ can also be
operated remotely using an internet-
enabled smartphone or computer .
This marks the end of
our presentation thank
you 🙃❤️