Definition

  • Has a small screen (special purpose/very small)
  • Has a few buttons
  • Has a processor embedded within it (that you cannot run software on)
  • Embedded processors are buried within a product and only does fixed computation
Embedded Operating Systems
  • FreeRTOS
  • μC/OS
  • QNX
Custom Control
  • Arduino
  • “RYO” (roll your own)
Real-Time Operating System
  • Time: Results must be available within a target amount of time, making time a part of correctness
Embedded System Product Development Process
  • Buy prototyping hardware (uses a small microchip, development board)
    • Substitutes for development environment
  • Get operating system code (RTOS, microOS)
  • Get library licenses
  • Write software in C/C++
  • Compile OS
  • Design Custom Hardware

Cross-Compiler

  • Development Environment that runs on your laptop
  • Creates binary that runs on your custom hardware
Prototyping Hardware
  • Printed Circuit Board
  • Microprocessor/controller
  • Firmware Storage
  • USB (comms with laptop)
  • Peripherals
    • Displays
    • SD Card
    • Pins
    • Analog Interfaces
More on Peripherals
  • Unsoldered chips are awk
    • Diff to connect to, easy to damage
  • “Breakout Board”
    • printed circuit board (PCB)
    • chip you wanted
    • capacitors/oscillators/regulation/etc