Week 0 Flashcards
Introduction
Why bother embedding a computer?
1) Improve performance
2) Add features
3) Reduce cost (purchase or operating)
4) increase dependability
Define Embedded Computer System
A computer (information processing) that has been embedded into a larger system in order to improve it in some way.
Embedded Computers typically:
*Have a micro-controller embedded
*Have been configured to perform a specific task
*Run software that is not accessible to the user of the device
*Run software that has been programmed into ROM
Why embed a computer when you could design a dedicated control circuit?
Embedded computers are:
Flexible
Cheap
Readily available
They offer a much cheaper development process
Name the four most common operations embedded systems can perform
1) Closed loop control
2) Sequencing
3) Signal conditioning and processing
4) Communications and networking
What is flash memory?
Memory that is retained when power is lost
What is SRAM
Static Random Access Memory
Temporary memory that is lost when power is lost.
A micro-controller contains what components?
A CPU
Memory
Clock Generator(s)
Timer(s)
Input/Output Devices (Communication interfaces and ADC/DAC
Other system devices such as power management and security
What are the four general categories the Embedded Systems fall into? (Functional Requirements)
1) general Computing
2) Control Systems
3) Signal Processing
4) Communication and Networking
List some non-functional requirements of embedded systems (Constraints)
*Size
*Weight
*Power consumption
*Environment
-Temperature, Vibration, Water, Corrosion, Shock, RF Interference
*Safety Critical Operation
-Timing, Security
*Cost
List the three distinctive attributes of embedded systems
1) Sophisticated functionality - Able to run several algorithms in parallel
2) Reactive - Able to respond to external events (periodic and aperiodic)
3) Real Time - Able to respond to an input within a tightly constrained time frame. Hard Real Time - absolute deadlines or Soft Real Time - non critical deadlines.
