1 Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers Flashcards
What is an embedded System?
- A computer System (CPU, memory, software)
- which is integrated into another technical system “embedding system”
- influences the embedding system such that it behaves in the desired way
What is the source of requirements for an embedded system?
Requirements are derived from the requirements of the embedding system.
Embedded systems can be categorized into two groups.
(1) What are these categories?
Product Automation and Production Automation
Embedded systems can be categorized into two groups.
(2) What are their characteristics?
Product Automation:
- many identical units
- cost per unit is critical
- customers aren’t experts
- hardware determines platform
Production Automation:
- often only one identical unit
- cost is less critical
- costumers are close to being experts
- programming system is more important then the platform
Embedded systems can be categorized into two groups.
(3) What kind of hardware is typically used for these categories?
Product Automation:
- μCs
- FPGAs
Production Automation
- PLCs
- Industrial PCs
- Distributed Control Systems
Embedded systems can be categorized into two groups. (4) Which programming languages are most dominant in these categories?
Product Automation:
- C/C++
- Assembler
- VHDL
- Simulink
Production Automation
- Instruction List (IL)
- SFC
- ST
- FBD
Embedded systems can be categorized into two groups.
(5) Name at least one example for each category!
Product Automation:
- Carengine Controller
- Washing Machine Controller
- Weather Station
Production Automation:
- Chemical Plant Controller
- Assembly Line Controllers
- …
What is a software controlled system?
A system which ist controlled by an control system and where the functionality of the control system is realized dominantly by software.
–> Functionality and quality of overall system depends critically on software
Name typical functionalities of embedded systems
▪ Measuring physical variables (sensing) ▪ Storing data ▪ Processing sensor signals and data ▪ Influencing physical variables (actuating) ▪ Monitoring, Supervision ▪ Enable manual and automatic operation
Name important disciplines for embedded systems:
▪ Control Engineering
▪ Measurement/Sensor Technology
▪ Signal Processing
What are typical (high level) quality requirements for embedded systems (in general)?
► Reliability ► Safety ► Real-time ► Maintainability ► Evolvability
What are typical (high level) quality requirements for embedded systems (Mostly for high bolume systems/product automation systems)?
► Cost
► Weight
► Mounting space
► Energy consumption
What are the conditions for an ISR to be called?
- global interrupt
- interrupt enable bit
- interrupt flag
