Electronic System-Level Design Tools:Embedded Systems

Embedded Systems

Sam:

Traditionally, they were applications with a computer embedded in the system but invisible to the user. Examples are car engine controllers or cell phones. Embedded system now refers to any system with fixed software on the chip. These systems include both real-time, critical applications, and non-critical, non-real-time applications.

As processor speeds have steadily increased, more parts of the job can be done in software. If fixes are needed, software has the advantage of easy modification, compared to expensive IC changes. It is also easier to add features and upgrades in software. Embedded software (resident on the IC) is frequently used to achieve quick TTM.

Nora:

What do you mean by "real-time"?

Real Time

Sam:

Embedded systems include those critical industrial applications requiring high reliability and fast response in real-time. A simple example of a real-time system is a missile. The missile controller electronics must give the proper guidance signals at the proper time. Guidance directions (no matter how accurate) are of no use after the missile already has hit the ground.

Reliability

Sam:

Many industrial applications such as power plants or oil refineries require high reliability. Having the computer system go down occasionally may be tolerable on a personal computer. It is annoying but not critical. However, that sort of crash is just not acceptable on critical industrial systems.

To ensure software reliability, the industrial embedded systems industry typically uses different operating systems and design disciplines from personal computer software design. EDA tools now have to ensure the reliable design of both hardware and software.

Nora:

Thanks, Sam.

Did You Know?

Most users know that a personal computer occasionally suffers a catastrophic error. It then has to be reset (or rebooted, as the computer people put it). This is merely annoying with a desktop or laptop system. However, imagine the same thing happening to your car engine computer while you were speeding down the road!

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