Updated March 4, 2023
Introduction to Embedded Systems Architecture
The following article provides an outline for Embedded Systems Architecture. The embedded system can be considered as the system which is microcontroller-based, operates on the software and the control system that can be used for performing some particular task. The broad meaning of embedded system is that it is the hardware system which consist of software embedded in the hardware system. The embedded system can be independent system or can be part of any large system. The embedded system can be controlled by the software and the software is sued to distinguish the embedded system. The embedded system are widely used as electronic devices as they are cheap and easy to use.
Architecture of Embedded Systems
The literal meaning of embedded system is the system which resides in another system. The embedded is the hardware system in which the software resides in the system. The embedded system can be considered as the microprocessor that can be used to perform some specific task.
The embedded system has basically three types of components:
- Hardware System
- Application Software
- RTOS (Real Time Operating System)
The hardware system is the system which contains the components that can be used for designing the embedded system. The size of components is kept small so that overall size of embedded system can be kept small. The software system is the application that resides in the hardware system that can be used to perform some specific task. At a time one application can be reside in the system so that processing speed of task become fast and can get accurate results. The software used in the embedded system are specific to this type of system only and cannot be used as general software for other computational devices as the hardware components are different that can create problem of mismatch configuration. The real time operating system is the utility type software that helps the processor to run the task in sequential manner with minimal latency. The complete working of embedded system can be directly controlled by real time monitoring system.
In the below description, basic structure is defined for embedded system architecture:
- Sensor: The sensor is a device which is sued for converting physical quantity in electrical signal. The A-D convertor is sued as the converting tool for sensor device.
- A-D Convertor: It is the type of device which is used for converting analog signal in digital signal.
- Processor: The processor is type of device which can be used to process the output and store the result into the memory. For the embedded system the main component is the processor. As the processor is used to take the input, process the input and produce the output.
- D-A Convertor: It is the type of device which is used for converting digital signal in analog signal.
- Actuator: The actuator is a type of device which compares the actual result with the result produced by D-A convertor tool.
Advantages of Embedded System
As the embedded system is combination of software system and hardware system they are widely used as electrical system that can be used in cameras, vending machines, vehicles, cars, airplanes, mobile phones and many other places. They are used in every sector like medical sector, agricultural sector and commercial sector.
1. Size of Embedded System
The embedded system size is very small when it is compared to other computational products like computer system. As the embedded system is specifically designed for some particular use case, the components sued for designing system is small which reduce the overall size of embedded system. As the system is designed for particular task it cannot be used for other purpose. The size of components directly affects the size of embedded system.
2. Accuracy
The performance and accuracy of the embedded system is very high whenever it is compared to computer systems and other computational products. As the system is designed for performing particular operation, the accuracy is important factor that need to be considered and cannot be neglected. The embedded system are used in medical sector and the accuracy is key factor there. The embedded systems are also used in calculation and the result calculate by embedded system should be correct and accuracy needs to be high.
3. Power
As the size of embedded system are very small the power consumption is also very less for embedded system when it is compared to computer system. The power consumed by computer system is 60 W and 230 AC approximately and the power consumed by embedded system is less than 1 W and 3.3V.
4. Price
The embedded systems are available in market at very low price. The prices of embedded systems are very less compared to other computational devices. As the embedded system uses very less components in its hardware architecture it directly effects the cost of system and make the embedded system cheap and easy to use.
5. Portability
The other major advantage of embedded system is portability of system. As the size of embedded system is very small the system can be easy portable from one location to another. This advantage make the system of prominent use as it can be carried from one location to another.
6. Speed
As the embedded system is designed for performing some particular task and at the time the system performs only one task the processing speed is very fast. It is because the flash memory is sued for fetching the data which is very fast. This advantage make the embedded system of more use in all other sectors like educational, corporate sector where the processing speed is important.
Conclusion
The embedded system is made of the hardware system and software system. Each type of embedded system is designed for some particular task. The embedded systems are used in various sectors like medical, corporate, educational and have different applications as per the requirements. There are numerous advantages of embedded system that makes the system important and more in use.
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