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Embedded systems range from portable devices such as digital watches and MP3 players, t o large stationary
installations like traffic lights, factory controllers, or the systems controlling nuclear power plants. Complexity
varies from low, with a single microcontroller chip, to very high with multiple units, peripherals and networks
mounted inside a large chassis or enclosure.
Typically, Embedded systems are Reactive and Real time systems. A Reactive system is one, which is in continual
interaction with its environment and executes at a pace determined by that environment.
The functioning of a digital camera can b e taken as an example for Real time and Reactive Embedded systems.
The charge coupled device (CCD) contains an array of light sensitive photocells that capture an Image. The APD
and DPA circuits convert analog images to digital and digital to analog, respectively. The CCD preprocessor
provides commands to the CCD to read the image. The JPEG CODEC compresses and decompresses an image
using the JPEG compression standard, enabling compact storage of images in the limited memory o f camera.
The pixel coprocessor aids in rapidly displaying the image. The memory controller controls access to a memory
chip, while the DMA controller enables direct memory acess b y other devices while the microcontroller is
performing other functions. The UART enables communications with a PC's serial port for uploading video frames,
while ISA bus interface enables a faster connection with a PC's ISA bus. The LCD control and display control
circuits control the display o f images o the cameras LCD device. The Multiplier /Accumulator circuit performs a
particular frequently executed computation faster than the microcontroller could. At the heart of the system is
the microcontroller, a programmable processor that controls the activities o f all the other circuits. We can think
of each device as a processor designed for a particular task.
2. The system always acts as camera wherein it captures, compresses, stores frames, decompresses and
displays frames and uploads frames.
3. It is tightly constrained
Avionics, such as inertial guidance systems, flight control hardwarelsoftware and other integrated systems
in aircraft and missiles
Electric or Electronic Motor controller for Brushless DC motors, Induction motors and DC Motors
Home automation products, such as thermostats, air conditioners, sprinklers, and security monitoring systems
Handheld calculators
Household appliances, including microwave ovens, washing machines, television sets, DVD players and
recorders
Medical equipment
Videogame consoles
9) Embedded Systems are not always separate devices. Most often they are physically built-in t o the devices
messes and they control.
3) The software written for embedded systems is often called firmware, and is stored in read-only memory
or Flash memory chips rather than a disk drive. It often runs with limited computer hardware resources:
small or no keyboard, screen, and little memory.
4) Must b e dependable. Reliability R (t) = Probability of system working correctly provided that it was working
at t=O. Making the system dependable must not b e an afterthought, it must b e considered from the very
beginning
5) Maintainability M (d) = Probability of system working correctly d time units after error occurred
:2d Systems
6) Availability A (t): Probability o f system working at time t.
8) Security: Confidential and authentic communication. Even perfectly designed systems can fail if the
assumptions about the workload and possible errors turn out t o b e wrong.
9) Must b e efficient
: ng systems
Energy efficient
Weight efficient
I Cost efficient
10) Dedicated towards a certain application. Knowledge about behavior at design time can b e used t o minimize
resources and t o maximize robustness.
13) Frequently connected to physical environment through sensors and actuators, Dortmund
The worldwide portable flash player market exploded in 2003 and is expected to grow from 12.5
rnln units in 2003 to over 50 rnln units in 2008
Global 3G subscribers will grow from an estimated 45 rnln at the end o f 2004 to 85 rnln in 2005,
according t o Wireless World Forum
The number of broadband lines worldwide increased by almost 55% t o over 123 rnln in the 12
months to the end of June 2004, according to Point-Topic.
Today's DVR (digital video recorders) users - 5% of households will grow to 41% within five years
Embedded chips form the backbone of the electronics driven world in which w e live they are part of
almost everything that runs on electricity
Application areas
Automotive
Electronics
Avionics
Trains
Telecommunication
Medical systems
Authentication
Military applications
Robotics
Sensor technology
Telecom switch
Sewing machine
Another challenge for smart environments is safety. For example, in a smart Institution, you won't want to see
doors opening and closing at the wrong times, or windows slamming on somebody's hand. Smart environments
must be safe environments. In the end, people won't want them if they're not safe, available, and reliable. In
fact, smart environments must b e as reliable as, say, the power grid. We come in every day, we turn on the
I~ghts,and the electricity is there. We need the same kind of performance from these smart spaces Interoperability
is an even bigger challenge. The diversity of embedded devices in my opinion, the main challenge is t o define
a distributed computing model for networked embedded systems. Networking these devices is just the first
step.
The ultimate goal is to make them cooperate t o combine or aggregate their functionalities or resources. Their
number and variety is so large that a traditional distributed model simply cannot b e applied without causing an
overwhelming programming overhead. To keep programming at such a scale manageable, the new computing
model must tolerate incomplete results, partial synchronization, and weak consistency. So far, researchers have
proposed scalable solutions for simple cooperative tasks such as routing using content-based addressing which
w e rely will make our everyday life extremely difficult, if we cannot have these devices silently cooperate b y
exchanging data and tasks.
Finally, fault tolerance and security are traditional challenges for any distributed system, and they will ultimately
determine the acceptance of embedded technologies by society. Being able to provide an environment that is
secure and highly available while still delivering deterministic real-time characteristics is very important.
Correctness-getting systems software and applications to run correctly, especially because they're used in
many safety critical areas. Another big issue will b e scalability, meaning that the industry must face the challenges
of designing complex software that scales well with existing Microcontroller solutions for embedded systems.
, Conclusion:
Embedded Systems will play a key role to drive the technological evolution in the next decades. In this respect
they stand on the same level as Nano technologies, bioelectronics, and photonics. The central role of Embedded
systems in the economy grows stronger and stronger. The starting point is the convergence between storage,
security, video, audio, mobility and connectivity. Systems are converging and ICs are more and more converging
with systems. This poses a number of challenges for designers and technologists. A key issue is the definition o f
the right methodologies t o translate system knowledge and competences into complex embedded systems,
taking into account many system requirements and constraints. The key factor t o win this challenge is to build
the right culture. This means t o b e able t o build the right environment t o exploit existing design, architectural
and technological solutions, and t o favor the transfer of knowledge from one application field into another.
REFERENCES
1. EMBEDDED SYSTEM DESIGN