Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Embedded Systems (ECEg-5702)
Lecture 1: Introduction
By Demisew T.
Outline of the Lecture
Embedded Systems Definition
Embedded Systems Characteristics
Embedded systems Examples
Contrast between embedded systems and other
computer systems
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Embedded systems Examples
• Embedded Systems in the Home Environment
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Embedded systems Examples
• Embedded Systems in the Work Environment
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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.
Hawassa University, Institute of Technology School of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
