Chapter 1: Introduction to Embedded

Systems
This chapter introduces the general concept of an embedded system. The goal is to provide a high-
level understanding of what an embedded computer is, their role in modern society, and motivation to
learn more about them.
Learning Outcomes—After completing this chapter you will be able to:

1.1 Describe the basic concept of an embedded system.

1.1 What Is an Embedded System?

When most people hear the term “computer” they immediately think of their laptops or PCs. More
recently, people have come to also associate portable devices such as smart phones and tablets with the
term computer; however, most people don’t tend to think of all of the modern electronics surrounding
them as computers. But in fact, the majority of the consumer electronics in our daily lives have a
computer that is controlling their operation. Items such as household appliances, thermostats, the mirror
controller in a vehicle, an office copy machine, and even a hearing aid are examples of electronics in our
daily lives that all have embedded computers at their core. The term to describe the small computers
within these electronic devices is an embedded computer. The entire system then becomes an embed-
ded system, implying that a small computer is included with the system and controls its operation [1, 2, 3].
So, what is the difference between the computers that we think of in laptops and workstations and
those embedded in the majority of consumer electronics? We will classify computers into two broad
categories: general-purpose and embedded. Let’s start with a general-purpose computer. This type of
computer is designed to run any type of software that the user desires. A user is able to install, uninstall,
and update software applications that meet the user’s current need. To support the abundance of
potential software applications that may be run, general-purpose computers have abundant resources
at their disposal. It is common for a general-purpose computer to have a variety of peripherals such as
displays, keyboards/keypads, mice, internet connections, and wireless communication capability.
General-purpose computers also typically contain relatively high-performance hardware components
such as fast processors and large amounts of data and program storage. To manage the large amounts
of resources in a general-purpose computer, these devices require an operating system (OS). An
operating system controls all of the resources and allocates them to the various software applications
that are running. Common operating systems that you may be familiar with are Windows, iOS, and Linux.
All of these operating systems have the same purpose, to manage the hardware resources of the
computer so that any arbitrary software program may be successfully run on it. General-purpose
computers also are designed for heavy user interaction. A typical general-purpose computer is designed
to support a user sitting in front of it interacting with the software program using the keyboard, mouse,
and monitor.
Despite a general-purpose computer having abundant resources, the vast majority of the time these
resources are not being used. Activities such as typing an email, or browsing the web use a very little
amount of the computer’s resources. But even though any single software program may only use a small
amount of the resources available, a general-purpose computer must contain everything that is poten-
tially needed to support a future program that may require the resources. To provide all of this capability,
general-purpose computers are relatively expensive compared to their embedded systems counterparts

# Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 1

B. J. LaMeres, Embedded Systems Design using the MSP430FR2355 LaunchPad™,
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2 • Chapter 1: Introduction to Embedded Systems

with laptops and workstations costing hundreds to thousands of dollars. Additionally, to support the large
number of resources, general-purpose computers are typically implemented using a group of integrated
circuits (ICs), or chips. A general-purpose computer typically has one chip that implements its central
processing unit (CPU), other chips to implement the data memory (i.e., RAM), and others to implement
the program storage (i.e., hard drive or solid-state drive). A general-purpose computer is considered a
distributed architecture because the full functionality of the computer is spread across multiple IC chips.
This type of architecture supports very sophisticated CPUs and large amounts of data and program
memory.
Now let’s consider the concept of an embedded computer. Many of the electronics that are used in
our daily lives don’t require a high-performance computer that runs Windows or iOS. Your coffee maker
doesn’t require a cutting-edge processor to make your coffee. Your thermostat doesn’t need the ability to
run Microsoft Word to control the temperature of the room. What these types of applications need is a
computer that can respond to inputs from the outside world (i.e., button presses or sensor inputs) and the
ability to send control signals to other sub-systems to accomplish a task (i.e., heat the water reservoir or
turn on the furnace). In these types of applications, the computer needs just enough resources to get the
job done. The small computers used for these dedicated applications are embedded computers.
Embedded computers are also referred to as microcontrollers, or MCUs, because they are the primary
controller for their dedicated application.

Embedded computers have a variety of traits that differentiate them from general-purpose
computers. First, embedded computers are mostly implemented on a single IC. An embedded computer
does not require the large amounts of RAM and program storage as in a general-purpose computer, so
all of the components of the computer can be put onto a single IC. Embedded computers also are able to
include a variety of common peripherals such as timers, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog
converters, and serial interfaces to make them as versatile as possible when it comes to controlling all
types of electronic devices. Depending on the amount of resources included, the physical size of an
embedded computer chip can be extremely small. Consider the size of a thumb drive. This small storage
stick has a full embedded computer system on it. Now compare that to the physical size of the hardware
that resides in a general-purpose laptop. The small size of an embedded computer chip gives it the ability
to be used in an endless list of applications.

Another attribute of an embedded computer is that it isn’t designed to run arbitrary software
programs that are installed at the will of the user. An embedded computer in a toaster isn’t designed to
have a new program installed by the user to make it control a microwave. The software that an
embedded system runs is called firmware to highlight that it is not intended to be changed frequently.
While some embedded systems can have their software updated by downloading a new program, this is
a highly infrequent occurrence in the life of the computer (how many times have you upgraded the
firmware in your car’s mirrors?). Since an embedded computer does not need to support general-
purpose software programs, its software can be designed to optimize the functionality for the application
at hand. This means there is a tight coupling between the hardware and software components of the
embedded computer. This provides an optimized design that is typically only suited for the application
that the embedded computer is made for. Embedded systems can contain operating systems; however,
these OS’s aren’t anything like Windows or iOS. Instead, these operating systems act as task schedulers
coordinating real-time activities such as reading from buttons or sensors and performing response
actions. Operating systems for embedded computers are called Real Time Operating Systems
(RTOS), reflecting their purpose as a task scheduler. Not all embedded computers run an RTOS,
many just simply run dedicated software to accomplish a specific task.
Another attribute of an MCU is their low cost. While a general-purpose microprocessor chip can cost
tens to hundreds of dollars, an MCU can cost 10s of cents to a few dollars. This low cost is driven by the
high-volume manufacturing process used to create MCUs. As semiconductor manufacturing volume go
 1.1 What Is an Embedded System? • 3

up, the cost of the individual chips produced goes down. The low cost of an embedded computer chip
reveals the prevalence and popularity of the embedded computer. The number of embedded computers
sold globally is multiple orders of magnitude larger than general-purpose computers, and this gap is
only expected to grow as our devices become smarter and interconnected and more functionality is
embedded into automobiles. In 2018, over 25 billion MCUs were sold globally [4]. Compare this to the
~400 million personal computers (PCs) sold annually that are based on general-purpose CPUs [5].
In fact, it is estimated that only ~2% of computer chips produced end up in PCs. To put this in perspective,
every year there are tens of billions of new embedded systems being created to improve the quality of
our lives [6, 7].
Smart phones and tablets are a technology that has moved from the embedded systems category
into the general-purpose description over the past decade. When cellular phones and personal desktop
assistances first emerged, they were very much embedded systems. These devices were not able to
support arbitrary software being installed on them and were designed to perform very specific tasks
(phone calls, text messaging, scheduling, etc.); however, as processing technology advanced, cellular
phones began to have the power to support more general-purpose operating systems such as Android
and iOS. This gave them the ability to support different applications (i.e., apps) that could access the
phone or tablets’ abundant resources. Today, smart phones and tablets are considered general-purpose
computers and only different from laptops and workstations in their size, portability, and software
support.
From an educational perspective, general-purpose computers and embedded computers are effec-
tively the same. They are both computers that consist of hardware resources that are programmed to
accomplish tasks using software. We can learn about the architecture of a computer using either, but
focusing on embedded computers has a few advantages. First, they are inexpensive enough that every
reader of this book can have an embedded computer sitting next to them where they can gain experience
programming the MCU to do a variety of tasks. This allows embedded systems education to move from
simply reading facts and figures to an active learning process where a deeper understanding of
computers can be obtained. An additional bonus of this approach is that after completing the exercises
in this book, the reader will have a practical skillset that is highly sought after in industry. Figure 1.1 shows
a graphical depiction of the applications of computers and categorizing them into either general-purpose
or embedded.

CONCEPT CHECK
CC 1.1 Why don’t we just make one computer chip that serves the needs of every
application on Earth? It seems like that would be a lot simpler than having
thousands of different computer products.
A) That isn’t practical because every application has a different set of
requirements. If we tried to create a “super chip” that could be simultaneously
used in high-end servers and microwave ovens, then our microwave ovens
would cost tens of thousands of dollars and consume much more electrical
power.
B) It is illegal to just have one computer chip design. It goes against the idea of
capitalism and competition in the marketplace.
C) They are still trying to create one computer chip that meets every application. It
is just really hard.
D) The answer to this concept check is A.
4 • Chapter 1: Introduction to Embedded Systems

Fig. 1.1
Applications of embedded system [8]

Summary
v Computers can be put into two broad v Embedded computers have enough
categories: general-purpose and embedded. resources to “get the job done”. They are
v General-purpose computers are designed to implemented on a single IC, are very low in
run any arbitrary software program. Thus, cost, and have a tight coupling between their
they contain abundant hardware resources hardware and software that optimizes their
to support potential applications and a operation for the application they are
sophisticated operating system to manage designed for.
the resources. v The number of embedded computer chips
v Embedded systems have a small computer sold each year outnumbers general-purpose
embedded within them that controls the oper- computer chips by multiple orders of
ation of the device. magnitude.
 References • 5

Exercise Problems
Section 1.1: What is an Embedded 1.1.10. Classify a computer with the following
attributes into either “general-purpose” or
System?
“embedded”: is the most popular type of com-
1.1.1. Classify a computer with the following puter on Earth.
attributes into either “general-purpose” or
1.1.11. For the following application, would a general-
“embedded”: runs a sophisticated operating
purpose computer or an embedded computer
system such as Windows.
be better suited: running the Windows
1.1.2. Classify a computer with the following operating system.
attributes into either “general-purpose” or
1.1.12. For the following application, would a general-
“embedded”: implemented on a single-chip.
purpose computer or an embedded computer
1.1.3. Classify a computer with the following be better suited: controlling an Xbox.
attributes into either “general-purpose” or
1.1.13. For the following application, would a general-
“embedded”: can cost less than a US dollar.
purpose computer or an embedded computer
1.1.4. Classify a computer with the following be better suited: running a washing machine.
attributes into either “general-purpose” or
1.1.14. For the following application, would a general-
“embedded”: designed to run any arbitrary soft-
purpose computer or an embedded computer
ware application the user desires.
be better suited: controlling the radio in a car.
1.1.5. Classify a computer with the following
1.1.15. For the following application, would a general-
attributes into either “general-purpose” or
purpose computer or an embedded computer
“embedded”: can cost hundreds to thousands
be better suited: controlling a satellite.
of US dollars.
1.1.16. For the following application, would a general-
1.1.6. Classify a computer with the following
purpose computer or an embedded computer
attributes into either “general-purpose” or
be better suited: controlling a wireless router.
“embedded”: its software is called firmware to
highlight that it is rarely changed after being 1.1.17. For the following application, would a general-
deployed. purpose computer or an embedded computer
be better suited: running servers in a data farm
1.1.7. Classify a computer with the following
based on the Windows platform.
attributes into either “general-purpose” or
“embedded”: also called a microcontroller 1.1.18. For the following application, would a general-
because it controls the sub-systems around it. purpose computer or an embedded computer
be better suited: a laptop running iOS.
1.1.8. Classify a computer with the following
attributes into either “general-purpose” or 1.1.19. For the following application, would a general-
“embedded”: can have a real-time operating purpose computer or an embedded computer
system, but the OS primarily acts as a task be better suited: a Linux workstation used to
scheduler. develop for an MCU.
1.1.9. Classify a computer with the following 1.1.20. For the following application, would a general-
attributes into either “general-purpose” or purpose computer or an embedded computer
“embedded”: has a tight coupling between the be better suited: controlling a video doorbell.
hardware and software, which optimizes its
operation for the application at hand.

References
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1007/978-3-319-56045-8
2. Jimenez M, Palomera R, Couvertier I (2014) Introduction to embedded systems using microcontrollers and
the msP430. Springer Science+Business Media, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3143-5
3. Nagy C (2003) Embedded systems design using the TI MSP430 series. Elsevier Science & Technology,
Burlington, MA
4. Texas Instruments Inc (2019) MSP430FR4xx and MSP430FR2xx family user’s Guide, Literature Number:
SLAU445I, October 2014 – Revised March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.ti.com/lit/ug/slau445i/
slau445i.pdf
5. Texas Instruments Inc (2019) MSP430FR235x, MSP430FR215x mixed-signal microcontrollers [device-
specific data sheet], literature number: SLASEC4D, May 2018 – Revised December 2019. Retrieved
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