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Embedded Software > Introduction to Embedded Systems > Flashcards

Introduction to Embedded Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is an embedded computing system?

A

Any device that includes a programmable chip that is not a general-purpose computer (a device with a chip for a specific purpose)

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2
Q

Is a PC an embedded system?

A

No

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3
Q

How do embedded systems optimize designs?

A

They do not include a lot general purpose bells and whistles

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4
Q

What are examples of embedded systems?

A

Printer, cell phone, cars/automobiles, airplanes, TVs, household applications

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5
Q

When was the MIT Whirlwind designed?

A

Late 1940s

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6
Q

What was the MIT Whirlwind originally designed for?

A

to control aircraft simulator

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7
Q

When was the first microprocessor released and what was it called/which company did it belong to?

A

the early 1970s and called the Intel 4004

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8
Q

What device used several devices to implement a microprocessor in 1972?

A

HP-35 calculator

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9
Q

When did automobiles start using microprocessor-based engine controllers?

A

1970

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10
Q

True or false: the early microprocessor-based engine controllers were multi-chip systems?

A

False

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11
Q

What did the engine controllers control?

A

fuel/air mixture and engine timing

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12
Q

What was an advantage to using microprocessor-based engine controllers?

A

lower emissions and better fuel efficiency

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13
Q

What are a couple microprocessor varieties?

A

Microcontroller and Digital Signal Processor (DSP)

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14
Q

What is a Microcontroller?

A

a microprocessor that includes I/O devices and on board memory

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15
Q

What is a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)?

A

a microprocessor optimized for digital signal processing

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16
Q

What are the three typical embedded word sizes?

A

8-, 16-, and 32-bit

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17
Q

How many microprocessors does a Canon EOS 3 have?

A

3

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18
Q

What is an example of a simple control microprocessor?

A

the front panel of a microwave oven

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19
Q

What is an example of one of the microprocessors in the Canon EOS 3 and what is its purpose?

A

32-bit Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) CPU (controls autofocus and eye control systems)

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20
Q

What is an exampe of a digital TV’s microprocessor?

A

programmable CPUs with hardwired logic for video/audio decoding, menus, etc.

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21
Q

About how many microprocessors are in current high-end automobiles?

A

maybe ~100

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22
Q

What are some examples of the microprocessor functions in automobiles?

A

4-bit microcontroller to check seat belt, microcontroller to run dashboard devices, 16/32-bit microprocessor controls engine

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23
Q

True or False: ABS is controlled by a microprocessor?

A

True

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24
Q

What does ASC+T (Automatic stability control) do?

A

controls engine to improve stability

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25
Q

Which was introduced first: ABS or ASC+T?

A

ABS

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26
Q

What are the characteristics of an embedded system?

A

sophisticated functionality, real-time operation, low manufacturing cost, low power, designed on tight timelines by small teams

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27
Q

What is the definition of sophisticated functionality in the setting of an embedded system?

A

ability to run sophisticated/multiple algorithms and proved sophisticated UI

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28
Q

What is the meaning of ‘Real-time operation’ in the setting of an embedded system?

A

the computing operations must finish by deadlines

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29
Q

What is hard real time?

A

missing a deadline causes critical failure

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30
Q

What is soft real time?

A

missing a deadline causes degraded performance

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31
Q

What is it called when a system handles operations at widely varying rates?

A

a multi-rate system

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32
Q

What are the non-functional requirements of an embedded system?

A

low manufacturing costs and low power

33
Q

How can an embedded system have low manufacturing cost?

A

mass market manufacturing, limited memory, and limited microprocessor power

34
Q

Why is low power an important requirement of an embedded system?

A

battery power devices need lower power systems for longer battery life, and it lowers system cost for wall-powered devices

35
Q

What is a common length market window?

A

6 month

36
Q

What are some alternatives to microprocessors?

A

FPGAs and custom logic

37
Q

Why are microprocessors better than custom logic?

A

more mass-market friendly, cheaper, and can use same logic to perform different functions

38
Q

Why are microprocessors better than FPGAs?

A

simplify designs for certain product families

39
Q

True or false: microprocessors use more logic for function implementation than custom logic?

A

true

40
Q

How are microprocessors as fast as custom logic?

A

heavy pipe-lining, large design teams, aggressive VLSI tech

41
Q

Which uses less power: microprocessors or custom logic?

A

custom logic

42
Q

How do microprocessors improve power consumption?

A

features to control power consumption and software design techniques to reduce power consumption

43
Q

What is a heterogeneous system?

A

custom logic for well defined functions and CPUs/software for everything else

44
Q

What is an embedded computing platform?

A

hardware architecture and associated software

45
Q

What are some examples of embedded computing platforms?

A

single-chip multiprocessors for cell phone and automotive network and processors

46
Q

What are some challenges in embedded system design?

A

amount of hardware, meeting deadlines, minimizing power, correct functionality, ways to develop the system

47
Q

How do you minimize hardware need?

A

CPU and memory size

48
Q

What are ways to help meet deadlines?

A

faster hardware, cleverer software

49
Q

What are ways to minimize power usage?

A

turning off unnecessary logic, reduce memory accesses

50
Q

What do we need to consider when checking functionality of an embedded system?

A

having correct specifications, checking the implementation against specs, testing for real-time characteristics, testing with real data

51
Q

What are the things to consider when trying to work on an embedded system?

A

observability, controllability, development platform

52
Q

Definition of ‘performance’ in general computing?

A

average case, may not be well defined

53
Q

In real-time systems, what does performance mean?

A

meeting deadlines

54
Q

True or false: it is always good to finish ahead of the deadline in real-time systems?

A

false

55
Q

True or false: in a real-time system, it is ok to miss a deadline only by a little bit?

A

false

56
Q

What levels of abstraction do we need to analyze when trying to understand performance?

A

CPU, Platform, Program, Task, Multiprocessor

57
Q

What is a design methodology?

A

a procedure for designing a system

58
Q

How does having a design methodology improve the design process?

A

ensures you don’t skip anything

59
Q

What are some tools that automate and track design methodologies?

A

compilers, software engineering tools, and CAD tools

60
Q

What are some design goals?

A

Performance (speed, deadlines), Functionality/UI, Manufacturing cost, Power consumption, Other requirements (physical size, etc.)

61
Q

In a top-down design, what are the levels of abstraction?

A

requirements -> specification -> architecture -> components -> system integration

62
Q

In a bottom-up design, what are the levels of abstraction?

A

system integration -> components -> architecture -> specification -> requirements

63
Q

True or false: real design uses both top-down design and bottom-up design?

A

true

64
Q

What is stepwise refinement?

A

at each level of abstraction analyzing the design for characteristics and current state and refining to add detail

65
Q

What are requirements in the setting of embedded software design?

A

plain language description of what the user wants and expects to get

66
Q

What are three ways to develop requirements for a product?

A

direct customer communication, marketing reps communication, prototyping for user feedback

67
Q

What are functional requirements?

A

output as a function of input

68
Q

What are some non-functional requirements?

A

time required to compute output, size, weight, power consumption, reliability

69
Q

What are specifications?

A

more precise description of a system

70
Q

Characteristics of specifications:

A

does not imply a certain architecture, provides input to architecture design process

71
Q

True or false: specifications only include functional elements?

A

false, they include both function and non-functional elements

72
Q

What forms may specifications be in?

A

executable or mathematical form for proofs

73
Q

What is the basis of architecture design?

A

major components that will satisfy the specification

74
Q

What hardware components should one consider in architecture design?

A

CPUs, peripherals, etc.

75
Q

What software components should one consider in architecture design?

A

major programs and their operations

76
Q

What is an important process in designing hardware and software components?

A

architecting the system before you start coding

77
Q

Must every component be designed from scratch?

A

no, some can be modified from existing designs and others are ready-made with no modifications necessary

78
Q

What is system integration?

A

putting together the components

79
Q

Is it ok to test everything only after it is integrated?

A

No, testing each component often and each step of integration makes it easier to uncover and fix bugs

Embedded Software (6 decks)

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