1.
COMPLEX SYSTEMS AND MICROPROCESSORS
2. CHARACTERISTICS AND CHALLENGES
COMPLEX SYSTEMS AND MICROPROCESSORS:
Embedded system is a complex system that include a programmable device not a general purpose computer.
(or)
Embedded systems, which are specialized computing systems dedicated to specific tasks, often rely on microprocessors
and complex systems to function effectively.
Complex Systems in Embedded Systems
Complex systems in the context of embedded systems refer to systems with multiple interacting
components and subsystems, often exhibiting non-linear behavior and requiring sophisticated control and
communication mechanisms.
Examples:
Automotive Systems: Modern vehicles incorporate numerous embedded systems for engine control,
infotainment, safety features, and autonomous driving.
Industrial Automation: Embedded systems control machinery, robots, and production lines, requiring precise
coordination and timing.
Consumer Electronics: Smartphones, smart TVs, and home automation systems all rely on complex embedded
systems for functionality and user interaction.
Relationship Between Complex Systems and Microprocessors
Microprocessors are a key component in the functioning of complex systems,
1.Control and Regulation:
•Microprocessors are often used to control and regulate complex systems by processing input data,
executing control algorithms, and outputting control signals.
•Examples include automotive engine control units (ECUs), climate control systems, and industrial
automation.
2. Data Processing:
Microprocessors process vast amounts of data to identify patterns, make predictions, and adapt the
behavior of the complex system.
Examples include financial trading systems, weather prediction models, and real-time traffic management
systems.
3. Communication:
In complex systems, microprocessors facilitate communication between different subsystems and
components, ensuring coordination and coherence.
Examples include network routers, IoT devices, and communication satellite
4. Adaptation and Learning:
Microprocessors enable systems to adapt and learn from their environment using techniques such as
machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Examples include autonomous vehicles, smart home devices, and adaptive cybersecurity systems.
Integration of Microprocessors and Complex Systems
1.System-on-Chip (SoC):
Definition: An SoC integrates a microprocessor, memory, peripherals, and other components onto a
single chip.
2.Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS):
Role: RTOS manage task scheduling, memory allocation, and I/O operations to ensure real-time
performance.
Examples: FreeRTOS, VxWorks, and QNX are commonly used in embedded systems that require
deterministic behavior.
3.Middleware and Frameworks:
Purpose: Middleware provides standard interfaces and services for communication, data
management, and hardware abstraction.
Examples: AUTOSAR in automotive systems, ROS (Robot Operating System) in robotics, and
Android for embedded consumer devices.
Complex algorithms: The operations performed by the microprocessor may be very sophisticated.
For example, the microprocessor that controls an automobile engine must perform complicated
filtering functions to optimize the performance of the car while minimizing pollution and fuel
utilization.
User interface: Microprocessors are frequently used to control complex user interfaces that may
include multiple menus and many options. The moving maps in Global Positioning System (GPS)
navigation are good examples of sophisticated user interfaces.
Realtime: Many embedded computing systems have to perform in real-time— if the data is not ready by a
certain deadline, the system breaks. In some cases, failure to meet a deadline is unsafe and can even
endanger lives. In other cases, missing a deadline does not create safety problems but does create
unhappy customers—missed deadlines in printers, for example, can result in scrambled pages.
Multirate: Not only must operations be completed by deadlines, but many embedded computing systems
have several real-time activities going on at the same time. They may simultaneously control some
operations that run at slow rates and others that run at high rates. Multimedia applications are prime
examples of multirate behaviour. The audio and video portions of a multimedia stream run at very different
rates, but they must remain closely synchronized. Failure to meet a deadline on either the audio or video
portions spoils the perception of the entire presentation.
Manufacturing cost:
The total cost of building the system is very important in many cases. Manufacturing cost is
determined by many factors, including the type of microprocessor used, the amount of memory
required, and the types of I/O devices.
Power and energy:
Power consumption directly affects the cost of the hardware, since a larger power supply may be
necessary. Energy consumption affects battery life, which is important in many applications, as well
as heat consumption, which can be important even in desktop applications.
Challenges in Embedded Computing System Design
1. Hardware
2. Deadlines
3. Power consumption
4. Design for upgradability
5. Complex testing
6. Limited observability and controllability
7. Restricted development environments
