Embedded Programming

This assignment is about writing down what I learned in Embedded Programming, like the basics such as architectures, memory, peripherals, word size, microcontroller families, packages, and doing a group project comparing performance and development workflows for different architectures, along with an individual assignment and group assignment.

Embedded System Programming

An embedded system is like a special-purpose computer made up of both hardware and software. It's built to do a specific job, either on its own or as part of a bigger system. These systems can be set up to be programmed for different tasks or have a fixed job. They're found in lots of things we use every day, like industrial machines, smartphones, cars, and even toys. Some embedded systems are super simple, with no fancy screens or buttons, while others have more complicated interfaces like touchscreens. These systems are expected to keep growing, with predictions saying they'll be worth a lot of money by 2025. Big companies like Apple and Intel make the chips used in these systems, and the growth is happening because more people are using things like AI and mobile devices that need powerful chips.
An embedded system is a 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.In 2009, it was estimated that ninety-eight percent of all microprocessors manufactured were used in embedded systems.Modern embedded systems are often based on microcontrollers (i.e. microprocessors with integrated memory and peripheral interfaces), but ordinary microprocessors (using external chips for memory and peripheral interface circuits) are also common, especially in more complex systems. In either case, the processor 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).Since the embedded system is dedicated to specific tasks, design engineers can optimize it to reduce the size and cost of the product and increase its reliability and performance. Some embedded systems are mass-produced, benefiting from economies of scale. Embedded systems range in size from portable personal devices such as digital watches and MP3 players to bigger machines like home appliances, industrial assembly lines, robots, transport vehicles, traffic light controllers, and medical imaging systems. Often they constitute subsystems of other machines like avionics in aircraft and astrionics in spacecraft. Large installations like factories, pipelines and electrical grids rely on multiple embedded systems networked together. Generalized through software customization, embedded systems such as programmable logic controllers frequently comprise their functional units. Embedded systems range from those low in complexity, with a single microcontroller chip, to very high with multiple units, peripherals and networks, which may reside in equipment racks or across large geographical areas connected via long-distance communications lines. For more information click on link Here

Embedded Systems

Embedded Systems Classification

Type	Characteristics
Mobile Embedded Systems	Small and portable systems, like digital cameras.
Networked Embedded Systems	Connected to a network, interact with other systems, such as home security systems or point of sale (POS) systems.
Standalone Embedded Systems	Operate independently and perform specialized tasks, like calculators or MP3 players.
Real-time Embedded Systems	Provide outputs within defined time intervals, crucial for time-sensitive tasks like traffic control systems.

Embedded Systems Performance Requirements

Performance Level	Microcontroller Type
Small-scale Embedded Systems	Simple microcontrollers, typically 8-bit.
Medium-scale Embedded Systems	Larger microcontrollers (16-32 bit) allowing multiple connections.
Sophisticated-scale Embedded Systems	Complex algorithms, software, and hardware, often requiring configurable processors and programmable logic arrays.

Common Software Architectures for Embedded Systems

Architecture Type	Description
Simple Control Loops	Manage hardware and programming with subroutine calls.
Interrupt Controlled Systems	Main and secondary loops where interruptions trigger tasks.
Cooperative Multitasking	Simple control loop within an API.
Preemptive Multitasking/Multithreading	Used with real-time operating systems (RTOS), featuring synchronization and task-switching strategies.

Embedded Systems Applications

Application	Description
Telecommunications	Telephone switches, cell phones, routers, network bridges
Consumer Electronics	MP3 players, television sets, mobile phones, video game consoles, digital cameras, GPS receivers, printers
Household Appliances	Microwave ovens, washing machines, dishwashers, HVAC systems, home automation devices
Transportation	Aircraft avionics, spacecraft systems, electric motors, automotive safety systems
Medical Equipment	Monitoring equipment, medical imaging devices (PET, SPECT, CT, MRI)
Aerospace and Defense	Safety-critical systems, fire safety systems, security systems
Wireless Sensor Networking	Motes, networked wireless sensors

Basic Structure of an Embedded System

Sensor System Components

Component	Description
Sensor	It measures the physical quantity and converts it to an electrical signal which can be read by an observer or by any electronic instrument like an A2D converter. 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 process the data to measure the output and store it to the memory.
D-A Converter	A digital-to-analog converter converts 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 (expected) output stored in it and stores the approved output.

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Architecture

Von Neumann Architecture:

The Von Neumann architecture, named after the Hungarian-American mathematician and computer scientist John von Neumann, represents a fundamental design concept for modern computers. In this architecture, both instructions and data are stored in the same memory space, and a single bus is used to transfer both instructions and data between the CPU and memory.
In a Von Neumann architecture, the CPU performs operations sequentially, meaning it can only execute one instruction at a time. This limitation arises because the CPU shares a common bus for fetching instructions from memory and accessing data. As a result, if the CPU is fetching an instruction from memory, it cannot simultaneously perform a data operation, such as reading or writing data.

Harvard Architecture:

In a typical computer using Von Neumann architecture, instructions and data are stored together in the same memory. This means that the same pathways, called buses, are used to fetch both instructions and data. Because of this setup, the CPU can't perform both tasks simultaneously—reading instructions and accessing or modifying data—at the same time.
To address this limitation, Harvard Architecture was developed. In Harvard Architecture, there are separate storage areas and pathways (buses) for instructions and data. This means that the CPU can access instructions and read or write data at the same time without any conflict or slowdown. This separation of pathways helps overcome the bottleneck that exists in von Neumann's Architecture, where the CPU has to wait for one operation to finish before it can start another.
So, the main advantage of Harvard Architecture is that it allows the CPU to perform multiple tasks concurrently, leading to potentially faster and more efficient operation.For more information Click Here

Difference Between Von Neumann and Harvard Architecture

RISC AND CISC

Microprocessor

A Microprocessor is an important part of a computer architecture without which you will not be able to perform anything on your computer. A microprocessor is like the brain of a computer. It's a tiny chip that follows instructions to do math and logic tasks, producing outcomes. It fetches instructions, figures out what they mean, does what they say, and gives results. Basically, it's what makes your computer work.

Basics of Microprocessor

A Microprocessor takes a bunch of instructions in machine language and executes them, telling the processor what it has to do. Microprocessor performs three basic things while executing the instruction:
It performs some basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and some logical operations using its Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU). New Microprocessors also perform operations on floating-point numbers also.
Data in microprocessors can move from one location to another.
It has a Program Counter (PC) register that stores the address of the next instruction based on the value of the PC, Microprocessor jumps from one location to another and takes decisions.
A regular microprocessor structure looks like this.

Types of Microprocessor

A microprocessor is a computer processor that is found in most modern personal computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. It is a central processing unit (CPU) that performs most of the processing tasks in a computer system. The microprocessor is a key component of a computer, as it controls the fetching, decoding, and execution of instructions that are stored in memory. You can say that microprocessor is used as the brain of the computing devices which control overall execution and operations. The development of microprocessors has played a significant role in the evolution of computers and has made it possible for them to become smaller, faster, and more powerful over time.

Types of Processors

Processor Type	Description
Vector Processor	A type of CPU designed to perform mathematical operations on arrays of data more efficiently than scalar processors.
Array Processor or SIMD Processor	Designed for vector computations; employs multiple processing elements to operate in parallel.
Scalar Processor	Executes scalar data, can be simple or powerful depending on capabilities.
RISC and CISC Processor	Two approaches to CPU design - RISC has a smaller, simpler instruction set while CISC has a larger and more complex one.
Digital Signal Processor	Specialized microprocessor for high-speed mathematical operations on digital signals.
Symbolic Processor	Designed for symbolic computation, manipulation of mathematical expressions using symbolic logic.
Graphics Processor	Specialized microprocessor for accelerating rendering of 2D and 3D graphics.

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Microcontroller

A microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit that is designed to control specific tasks within electronic systems. It combines the functions of a central processing unit (CPU), memory, and input/output interfaces, all on a single chip. Microcontrollers are widely used in embedded systems, such as home appliances, automotive systems, medical devices, and industrial control systems. They are also used in consumer electronics products, such as gaming systems, digital cameras, and audio players.

What is a microcontroller?
It's a small computer on a single chip.
It does tasks like processing, memory, and controlling other parts of a device.
It's commonly used in many things, from home appliances to gaming consoles.

What's inside a microcontroller?
It has a processor core for doing tasks.
Memory for storing data and instructions.
Input/output parts to interact with the world outside.
Communication interfaces to talk to other devices.


How are microcontrollers programmed?
They're customizable, meaning you can make them do specific tasks.
People use programming languages like C, C++, and assembly language to write code for them.

Difference Between Microprocessor And Microcontroller

Memory

Embedded memory is like a mini-storage space inside a computer chip. It holds important stuff like instructions and data that the chip needs to work with. This memory can either be part of the chip itself, like in a microcontroller, or it can be a separate piece connected to the chip. It stores data temporarily while the chip is running and keeps instructions for the chip to follow. There are different types of embedded memory like ROM, RAM, and Flash Memory, each serving different purposes in making the chip work smoothly.

Importance Of Memory
Embedded memory is really important for electronic devices. It's like the device's brain, storing all kinds of important stuff. In things like phones, tablets, and smartwatches, it keeps the operating system, apps, and your files safe.

In automotive systems, also need embedded memory. It stores the car's software, like how the engine works, and keeps track of data from sensors. In factories and other big machines, embedded memory is used to store instructions and data for controlling things and keeping an eye on what's happening.

Embedded memory needs to work well to keep everything running smoothly. It helps devices and systems work fast by quickly getting the info they need. This makes sure everything responds quickly and works without any hiccups.

Different Types Of Memories
Memory devices can be put into two big groups:
Primary Memory
Primary memory is the stuff your device uses actively while it's on. It's like your brain's working memory.

Secondary Memory
Secondary memory is like your long-term memory, where you store things for later but don't actively think about all the time.

Now, within those categories, we have two types of memories based on what happens when you turn off the power:

Non-volatile memory:
This memory keeps its data even when you turn off the power. It's like writing something down on paper; it stays there until you intentionally erase it.

Volatile memory:
This memory loses its data when you turn off the power. It's like writing something in sand; it's there while you're actively holding onto it, but once you let go, it's gone.I have refer this link for information for more Refer Link Click Here

The picture below illustrates the classification of embedded memory.