How Embedded System Work? | Embedded Structure Explained

Written By The IoT Academy
Published on July 15th, 2021
Updated on January 17, 2024

Ever wondered how your coffee maker, car, or even your fitness tracker functions seamlessly? In this blog, we’ll unravel the mysteries behind these intricate systems. From the basics to the complexities, join us on a journey to understand “How Embedded Systems Work.” Let’s reveal the magic behind these silent but powerful components that make our modern lives possible.

Table of Contents

What is Embedded System?

Embedded Systems are small specialized devices integrated within a larger device. They work quietly behind the scenes, executing pre-programmed tasks. Programming instructions for these systems, also known as firmware, are stored in read-only memory or flash memory chips and run on computers with restricted hardware resources. Their advantages involve-

Real-time computing
Lower power consumption
Low maintenance
High availability

Due to these features of Embedded systems, it is considered a prominent part of IoT.

Embedded Systems consist of three parts:

Hardware
Software
Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)

Hardware and software components of embedded systems are the unsung heroes behind the seamless operation of countless devices. RTOS supervises application software and provides a mechanism for the processor to conduct processes according to schedule by following a plan to control latencies. It establishes the rules for the application program’s execution. RTOS may not be present in a small-scale embedded system.

Working of an Embedded System

To understand its functioning, let’s first focus on the basic structure of embedded systems.

Sensor: To make it comprehensible for an observer or any electrical instrument, the sensor converts the physical quantity after measurement- into electrical signals.
A-D Converter: The analog signal sent by the sensor is converted into a digital signal via an analog-to-digital converter.
Processor & ASIC: It looks after processing the data and measuring and storing output in the memory.
D-A Converter: It converts the digital data to Analog data.
Actuator: The permitted output is stored when an actuator compares the D-A Converter’s output to the real (anticipated) output stored in it.
Memory: It refers to storage components where data can be temporarily or permanently stored for various purposes in the system.

To fulfill a function in an embedded environment, an Embedded System incorporates a robust motherboard inside an industrial enclosure, together with accompanying I/O (Input and Output) and Embedded OS Software. An Embedded Motherboard, which is the feature-rich tiny form factor core of an Embedded System, is the computing element. For the system to work, specialized I/O such as video capture, communication ports, and digital and analog signals are connected to the computer heart.

What are PC System Requirements?

An industrial-grade PC motherboard with the necessary performance and I/O requirements serves as the computational heart of an embedded system. The embedded motherboard will be in a 3.5 SBC, Pico-ITX, Nano-ITX, or UTX form format. The embedded motherboards are compact structures but seek to offer efficient performance.

How Embedded Systems Can Be Programmed?

A Real-Time Operating System may be the starting point for an Embedded System that requires real-time reaction (Real Time Embedded System) (RTOS). The programmer will create apps in C++, for example, above the RTOS. There may be no RTOS at all for hard real-time reactions, but the system will be programmed directly using ADA, for example. Linux may also be an option, due to a certain driver support available.

Conclusion

About The Author:

The IoT Academy

The IoT Academy as a reputed ed-tech training institute is imparting online / Offline training in emerging technologies such as Data Science, Machine Learning, IoT, Deep Learning, and more. We believe in making revolutionary attempt in changing the course of making online education accessible and dynamic.