Lesson 4: Software for

embedding in a System- Part 1

ROM image, Programming Languages
and Program models

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 1
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 Outline

ROM image

Programming Languages

Program models

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 2
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 1. ROM Image
• Final stage software also called ROM
image*

* (Just as an image is a unique sequence and

arrangement of pixels, embedded software
is also a unique placement and arrangement
at each ROM address of bytes for
instructions and data. )

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 3
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System ROM memory embedding the software, RTOS, data,
and vector addresses
Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,
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 Final machine software

Bytes at each address defined for creating
the ROM image.

By changing this image, the same hardware
platform work differently and can be used
for entirely different applications or for new
upgrades of the same system.

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 5
Publs.: McGraw-Hill Education
Distinct ROM image in a distinct
Embedded System

Hardware elements between the
distinct systems can be identical but it
is the software that makes a system
unique and distinct from the other.

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 6
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 Compressed Codes and Data

ROM image may alternatively be
compressed software (for example, the
zip format) and data (for example, the
pictures in jpg or gif format) along
with the software required for
decompression algorithm

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 7
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 Outline

ROM image

Programming Languages

Program models

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 8
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 1. Machine Language Coding

Programmer defines the addresses and
the corresponding bytes or bits at each
address.

Used in configuring some specific
physical device or subsystem like
transceiver, the machine code- based
coding is used

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 9
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 2. Assembly Language Coding

Needed for Invoking Processor
Specific Instructions

Requires understanding of the
processor and instruction set.

A program or a small specific part
coded in the assembly language using
an Assembler (software used for
developing codes in assembly).
Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,
2008 10
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Three steps when using assembly
language

'Assembler',

'Linker' and

'Locator'

before finally burned at the ROM

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 11
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 Assembly

Conversion Process
Assembly to ROM image
Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,
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3. Programming language C or C++ or Visual
C++ or Java .

Application Software - Different Program Layers

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,
2008 13
Publs.: McGraw-Hill Education
Program various layers–

processor commands,

main function,

task functions and

library functions,

interrupt service routines

and kernel (scheduler).

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 14
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 Compiler

Generates an object file. Using linker
and locator, the file for ROM image
is created for the targeted hardware.
C++ and Java are other languages
used for software coding.

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

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 Converting a C program into ROM image

Process
Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,
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 Outline

ROM image

Programming Languages

Program models

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 17
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 Program Models

Sequential Programming Model

Object Oriented Programming Model

Control and Data flow graphs or
Synchronous Data Flow (SDF) Graph or
Multi Thread Graph (MTG) Model

Finite State Machine for data path

Multithreaded Model

Concurrent Processing of processes or
thread or tasks
Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,
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 Summary
We learnt:
• (i) embedded software saves as ROM
image
• (ii) conversion steps from high level
language codes to assembly and then to
the ROM image
• (iii) program layers in the embedded
software

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 19
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We learnt:

(iv) high level language used for
software development is C, C++,
visual C++ or Java

(v) Models, which are used for a
embedded-software development
process

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

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 End of the Lesson –4

Chapter-1L04: "Embedded Systems - " , Raj Kamal,

2008 21
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