Bahir Dar University , Bahir Dar Institute of Technology Faculty of

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Embedded Systems (EEng5081)

Lecture 1: Introduction

By Abrham T .
Outline of the Lecture

Embedded Systems Definition

Embedded Systems Characteristics

Embedded systems Examples

Contrast between embedded systems and other

computer systems

Bahir Dar University , Bahir Dar Institute of Technology Faculty of

Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 2
Embedded Systems Definition

• Precisely defining Embedded System is difficult. The

following definitions may, in combination, do the job.
An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system
designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions,
sometimes with real-time computing constraints
Specialized computer system hardware that is used in larger
systems or machines to control devices such as automobiles,
home appliances, and office equipment .
Any electronic system that uses a CPU chip, but that is not a
general-purpose, workstation, desktop or laptop computer.
Such systems generally use microprocessors, or they may use
custom-designed chips or both.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 3
Embedded Systems Definition

An embedded system is some combination of computer

hardware and software, either fixed in capability or
programmable, that is specifically designed for a particular
kind of application device.
An embedded system is a combination of computer circuitry
and software that is built into a product for purposes such as
control, monitoring and communication without human
intervention.
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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 4
Embedded Systems Definition

IEE defines Embedded Systems as: “the devices

used to control, monitor or assist the operation of
equipment, machinery or plant. “Embedded”
reflects the fact that they are an integral part of the
system.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 5
Embedded Systems Characteristics

• Common characteristics of Embedded Systems are the

following:
Frequently, embedded systems are connected to the physical environment
through sensors collecting information about that environment and
actuators controlling that environment.
Embedded systems have to be dependable (trusted). Many ES are
safety-critical. Examples of safety critical systems are Nuclear
power plants, airplanes, trains, cars, satellites etc.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 6
Embedded Systems Characteristics

 Dependability encompasses the following aspects of a system:

1. Reliability: Reliability is the probability that a system will not fail.

2. Maintainability: Maintainability is the probability that a failing system can be

repaired within a certain time-frame.

3. Availability: Availability is the probability that the system is available. Both the
reliability and the maintainability must be high in order to achieve a high
availability.

4. Safety: This term describes the property that a failing system will not cause any
harm.

5. Security: This term describes the property that confidential data remains
confidential and that authentic communication is guaranteed.
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Embedded Systems Characteristics

Embedded systems have to be efficient. The following metrics

can be used for evaluating the efficiency of embedded systems:
1. Energy: Many embedded systems are mobile systems obtaining their energy
through batteries. Available electrical energy must be used very efficiently.

2. Code-size: the code-size should be as small as possible for the intended

application.

3. Run-time efficiency: We should be able to meet time constraints using the

least amount of hardware resources and energy. In order to reduce the energy
consumption, clock frequencies and supply voltages should be as small as
possible.
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Embedded Systems Characteristics

4. Weight: All portable systems must be of low weight. Low weight is

frequently an important argument for buying a certain system.
5. Cost: For high-volume embedded systems, especially in consumer
electronics, competitiveness on the market is an extremely crucial
issue, and efficient use of hardware components and the software
development budget are required.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 9
Embedded Systems Characteristics

These systems are dedicated towards a certain application. For

example, processors running control software in a car or a train
will always run that software, and there will be no attempt to
run a computer game or spreadsheet program on the same
processor. There are mainly two reasons for this:
 Running additional programs would make those systems less
dependable.
 Running additional programs is only feasible if resources such as
memory are unused. No unused resources should be present in an
efficient system.
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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 10
Embedded Systems Characteristics

Most embedded systems use a dedicated user-interface

consisting of push-buttons, steering wheels, pedals etc. Because
of this, the user hardly recognizes that information processing is
involved.
Many embedded systems must meet real-time constraints. Not
completing computations within a given time-frame can result
in a serious loss of the quality provided by the system. A time-
constraint is called hard if not meeting that constraint could
result in a catastrophe. All other time constraints are called soft.
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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 11
Embedded Systems Characteristics

Many embedded systems are hybrid systems in the sense that

they include analog and digital parts.
Typically, embedded systems are reactive systems. A reactive
system is one that is in continual interaction with its
environment and executes at a pace determined by that
environment.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 12
Embedded systems Examples

• Even though often nearly invisible, embedded systems are

ubiquitous.
• Embedded systems are present in many industries, including
industrial automation, defense, transportation, and aerospace.
For example, NASA’s Mars Path Finder, Lockheed Martin’s
missile guidance system, and the Ford automobile all contain
numerous embedded systems.
• Every day, people throughout the world use embedded systems
without even knowing it.
• Remarkably adaptable and versatile, embedded systems can be
found at home, at work, Indeed, it is difficult to find a segment of
daily life that does not involve embedded systems in some way.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 13
Embedded systems Examples

• Embedded Systems in the Home Environment

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 14
Embedded systems Examples

• Embedded Systems in the Work Environment

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 15
Embedded systems Examples

• Automotive electronics: Modern cars can be sold only if they

contain a significant amount of electronics. These include air bag
control systems, engine control systems, anti-braking systems
(ABS), air-conditioning, GPS systems, safety features, and many
more.
• Aircraft electronics: A significant amount of the total value of
airplanes is due to the information processing equipment,
including flight control systems, anti-collision systems, pilot
information systems, and others. Dependability is of utmost
importance.
• Trains: Again, safety features contribute significantly to the total
value of trains, and dependability is extremely important.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 16
Embedded systems Examples

• Medical systems: There is a huge potential for improving the

medical service by taking advantage of information processing
taking place within medical equipment.
• Military applications: Information processing has been used in
military equipment for many years. In fact, some of the very first
computers analyzed military radar signals.
• Authentication systems: Embedded systems can be used for
authentication purposes.
• Fabrication equipment: Fabrication equipment is a very
traditional area in which embedded systems have been
employed for decades. Safety is very important for such systems,
the energy consumption is less a problem.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 17
Embedded systems Examples

• Smart buildings: Information

processing can be used to increase
the comfort level in buildings, can
reduce the energy consumption
within buildings, and can improve
safety and security.
• Robotics: Robotics is also a
traditional area in which embedded
systems have been used.
Mechanical aspects are very
important for robots.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering 6/30/21 18