Architecture of the Embedded Systems: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents [show]

Introduction

Welcome to a comprehensive exploration of the fascinating world of embedded systems architecture. In this blog, we'll embark on a journey to demystify the intricate inner workings of these systems, uncovering their fundamental components, design principles, and real-world applications.

The term "embedded system" describes a system that uses a microcontroller, software, and a control system to do a particular task. Thus, it refers to a piece of hardware that has software built right into it. The blog below explains the architecture of embedded system along with its working.

Importance of Embedded System’s Architecture

Embedded systems are a crucial component of modern tech. Small computer systems that are embedded into bigger objects can perform particular tasks. They are secure, effective, and affordable. Understanding the architecture of embedded system is important to the success of these systems. Additionally, it promotes the smooth interaction of hardware and software components. Embedded hardware and software are the two main parts of an embedded system.

Therefore, a mix of hardware and software called an embedded architecture enables the operation of the system. It specifies the hardware and software interfaces that will be used and how they should be controlled. 

Architecture of an Embedded System

Below are the core components of an embedded system:

1. Hardware System

This system consists of the components useful for designing the embedded system. Additionally, the size of components is small so that the complete size of the system can be kept small.

Microprocessors and microcontrollers are the basis of the hardware architecture of embedded system. However, the terms "microprocessor" and "microcontroller" refer to the same thing. A CPU (central processing unit) is there to combine with other basic computing elements. These elements include memory chips and digital signal processors (DSPs). These parts are put together into a single chip by microcontrollers.

2. Application Software

A software system is an application that exists in a hardware system and carries out a certain task. Thus, one application can run in the system at a time to finish the tasks quickly and accurately. Moreover, the software architecture of embedded system used in these systems is unique to this type of system. It cannot be used as generic software for other computing devices else  it may lead to configuration issues.

3. Real-time operating system

These may not be present in embedded systems, especially those with smaller in scope. RTOSes control the software and establish rules for program execution, which determine how the system works. The real-time operating system is a form of utility software. It assists the processor in carrying out tasks sequentially and with the least amount of latency. An RTOS can directly control an embedded system's whole operation.

The basic embedded system design includes:

• A Sensor for converting physical quantity into an electrical signal. 
• A-D Converter for converting an analog signal into a digital signal.
• Processor to process the output and store the result in the memory. 
• D-A Converter for converting digital signals into analog signals.
• Actuator to compare the actual result with the result produced by the D-A converter tool.

Main Types of Architecture of Embedded System 

In general, Von Neumann architecture and Harvard architecture are the two types of embedded systems architecture:

1. Von Neumann Architecture

Computer scientist John von Neumann was the one who proposed the Von Neumann architecture. One data path, or bus, serves as both an instruction and a data path in this architecture. Therefore, the CPU performs one operation at a time. It either retrieves an instruction from memory or reads and writes data. Because of this, using a single bus for both a data operation and an instruction fetch is not possible.

2. Harvard Architecture

The Harvard architecture provides separate signal and storage buses for instructions and data. These types of architecture in embedded system prevent access to the instruction storage as data. Moreover, it keeps all data stored within the CPU. Internal data buses in computers enable simultaneous access to both instructions and data. It is possible by using separate memory locations for program instructions and data.

Furthermore, the processor could not boot itself so a user had to load programs. 

Advantages of Embedded Systems

1. Size of the embedded system

In comparison to other computational products like computer systems, the size of an embedded system is quite small. The embedded system was created expressly for a certain use case. Therefore, its overall size was reduced by using compact components. 

2. Low power consumption

When compared to computer systems, embedded systems' power consumption is also lower. This is due to the architecture of embedded system that fits in a compact size.

3. Accuracy

When compared to other computational products, the embedded system has high performance and accuracy. Moreover, accuracy is a crucial component that one must take care of. We cannot overlook it since the system is built for a specific operation.

4. Price

The price of embedded systems in the market is extremely low. Thus, when compared to other computing devices, they are far less expensive. The embedded systems also use very few components in their hardware architecture. Therefore, it impacts the system's cost and makes it easy to use.

5. Portability

The system mobility of embedded systems is another key benefit. Due to its compact size, embedded systems are portable from one place to another. This benefit makes the system very useful because one can move it from one place to another.

Conclusion

Hardware, software, and applications make up the three layers of the architecture of embedded system. For embedded systems, Von Neumann architecture and Harvard architecture are the two main types of architecture.

Furthermore, the architecture specifies how the hardware and software-embedded components must communicate with one another. It also allows Real-time applications to run on energy-efficient systems. The architecture also permits efficient use of resources, lowering system costs.