The Basics of Embedded System Designs

Would a human body survive if the brain stopped working? Would a person be considered sane if that happened? The logical and most obvious answer is, no! a human body cannot survive on its own without a functioning brain. No thoughts, no processing of information, no reflexes, no response, in short nothing would work in absence of a sane mind or brain. Our brain is the embedded system of our bodies. It is the central place where all external information from the outside world is concentrated, then processed and responses are triggered through five senses.

Embedded systems are the controllers and processors of anything mechanical, or otherwise. It is what makes the system work, it is what processes information in any machine. The processing unit of an app or a physical object, which enables its working. They are meant to perform tasks. They help to understand the working and functionality of a machine and its various characteristics. Embedded systems are mainly comprised of two elements,

• Embedded System Software
• Embedded System Hardware

Software: The physicality of processors in embedded software systems is replaced by programming functions. The codes are written off in a specific format to give the operating ability to an app or software. Unlike hardware, its longevity is guaranteed and it is non-perishable and non-volatile. 

Programming: As mentioned earlier, software embedded systems are either written through codes or programming. C, C++, or Java are some of the programming languages which are used by engineers to write an embedded system software program/app. 

Codes: Apart from programming languages, codes are the basic building blocks of a program. It ranges from simple and basic to complex coding formats, depending upon the operations an app or software is required to perform. Machine coding is however quite rare these days after the advent of programming. Coding, however, could sometimes be faulty therefore programming is preferred over coding. 

Hardware: There is always a choice when it comes to hardware embedded systems. It is either microcontroller or microprocessor-based. These systems, as understood by the name, are mostly associated with electronics or physical machinery. There are several parts of the hardware embedded system. It is more like a process. It includes a memory, input, output units, user interface, and display of the result.

                            Data Input         ------>     Processing       ----->        Output Result

Microcontroller based: in this sort of embedded system, very few components are used. It is often called the central processing unit or the CPU, like that of the computer/desktop computer. 

Microprocessor-based: it also contains a CPU, but some chips are also used in this as well for memory purposes. A circuit board exists with a lot of external chips and transistors etc. Microprocessor-based embedded systems work best for large equipment or units. 

Embedded System Designs

From accurate coding to machine learning, embedded system designs indicate the intricacy of operations a machine or software can perform. Modern-day electronic devices like mobiles and laptops use a highly intricate and complex embedded system to perform smart functions. A small touch feature on tabs, mobiles, and laptops includes systematic programming and intelligent embedded system designs behind it. 

Designs and development of embedded systems define the intelligence of machines and the functions they can perform. Their designs are directly related to artificial intelligence these devices exhibit. Software tools go into the designing of the embedded systems. Software developers accurately design the motherboards of systems that are efficient in working. From a calculator to a light bulb, every machine has an embedded system. The process is universal where input goes in and the output is generated through the embedded system.