Introduction to Embedded Systems Semicon Solutions Computing Systems

Introduction to Embedded Systems Semicon Solutions

Computing Systems • Desktop – PC, Workstations, Laptops • Servers – – Tier-0: network appliance Tier-1: webserver Tier-2: application/database server File servers, Storage-area-network • Embedded Systems – – PDA Cellphone Routers Microcontrollers

Embedded? • Computing system embedded within electronic devices. • Combination of computer hardware and software designed to performance a specific function. • Any computing system that is not a desktop computer nor a server.

Area of Applications • General purpose – PDA • Control systems – Electronics, Automotive • Signal processing – Media player, Camera • Communication – Cellphone, switch

Market • Average household uses ~225 embedded processors; about 35 for automobile • Estimated 5 billion embedded processors in use – 94% share of world market – 6%: Pentium, Power. PC, etc. [Source: World Semiconductor Trade Statistics Bluebook]

Key Issues User’s Point of View • Single function/application – Dedicated to specific type of tasks • Tight constraints – – Size Power Cost Time-to-market • Real-time – Respond to environment in real time • Safety/Reliability – Failure can result in critical damages

Key Issues Developer’s Point of View • Concurrent development of HW and SW, i. e. HW/SW codesign • Wide selection of u. P’s. • Wide selection of OS, mostly real time (RTOS) • Few system resources • Specialized development tools • Debugging skills important • Robust HW/SW

Example

Elements

Trends • High level of integration – System-on-chip (So. C) – Multiprocessor System-on-Chip (MPSo. C) • HW/SW co-design – Concurrent development – Optimization • Design flow – Design tools – Experiences

Microcontroller • Usually a simple u. P plus peripheral support devices integrated in a single package

So. C • A u. P plus peripheral support devices integrated in a single chip • E. g. Intel Strong. ARM • So. C vs u. Controller?

So. C Design • Intellectual Property (IP) – Circuits or cores pre-deisgned/pre-verified for certain functions – Implications: • Lower design cost • Fast time-to-market

Requirements • Functional – Functions – I/O • Non-functional – Performance – Cost – Power consumption – Size/weight

Architecture • How to implement the specifications – Components – System structure – Hardware/software partitioning • HW/SW work together to solve a problem • Partitioning decided by – Performance – Flexibility – Cost

Architecture Design

Designing An Embedded System • Understand the big picture • Understand the details • Design SW with – Real time constraints – Low power – Small code size • Domain-specific knowledge