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CLASSIFICATION OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

 CLASSIFICATION OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

Some of the criteria used in the classification of embedded systems are as follows:

(1) Based on generation
(2) Complexity and performance requirements
(3) Based on deterministic behavior
(4) Based on triggering

Classification Based on Generation

First Generation : The early embedded systems were built around 8bit microprocessors like 8085 and Z80, and 4bit microcontrollers. Simple in hardware circuits with firmware developed in Assembly code. Digital telephone keypads, stepper motor control units etc. are examples of this.

Second Generation : These are embedded systems built around 16bit microprocessors and 8 or 16 bit microcontrollers, following the first generation embedded systems. The instruction set for the second generation processors/controllers were much more complex and powerful than the first generation processors/controllers. Some of the second generation embedded systems contained embedded operating systems for their operation. Data Acquisition Systems, SCADA systems, etc. are examples of second generation embedded systems.

Third Generation : With advances in processor technology, embedded system developers started making use of powerful 32bit processors and 16bit microcontrollers for their design. A new concept of application and domain specific processors/controllers like Digital Signal Processors (DSP) and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) came into the picture. The instruction set of processors became more complex and powerful and the concept of instruction pipelining also evolved. The processor market was flooded with different types of processors from different vendors. Processors like Intel Pentium, Motorola 68K, etc. gained attention in high performance embedded requirements. Dedicated embedded real time and general purpose operating systems entered into the embedded market. Embedded systems spread its ground to areas like robotics, media, industrial process control, networking, etc.

Fourth Generation : The advent of System on Chips (SoC), reconfigurable processors and
multicore processors are bringing high performance, tight integration and miniaturization into the embedded device market. The SoC technique implements a total system on a chip by integrating different functionalities with a processor core on an integrated circuit. We will discuss about SoCs in a later chapter. The fourth generation embedded systems are making use of high performance real time embedded operating systems for their functioning. Smart phone devices, mobile internet devices (MIDs), etc. are examples of fourth generation embedded systems.

Classification Based on Complexity and Performance

Small-Scale Embedded Systems : Embedded systems which are simple in application needs and where the performance requirements are not time critical fall under this category. An electronic toy is a typical example of a small-scale embedded system Small-scale embedded systems are usually built around low performance and low cost 8 or 16 bit microprocessors/microcontrollers. A small-scale embedded system may or may not contain an operating system for its functioning.

Medium-Scale Embedded Systems : Embedded systems which are slightly complex in
hardware and firmware (software) requirements fall under this category. Medium-scale embedded systems are usually built around medium performance, low cost 16 or 32 bit microprocessors/microcontrollers or digital signal processors. They usually contain an embedded operating system (either general purpose or real time operating system) for functioning.

Large-Scale Embedded Systems/Complex Systems : Embedded systems which involve highly complex hardware and firmware requirements fall under this category. They are employed in mission critical applications demanding high performance. Such systems are commonly built around high performance 32 or 64 bit RISC processors/controllers or Reconfigurable System on Chip (RSC) or multi-core processors and programmable logic devices. They may contain multiple processors/controllers and co-units/hardware accelerators for offloading the processing requirements from the main processor of the system. Decoding/ encoding of media, cryptographic function implementation, etc. are examples for processing requirements which can be implemented using a co-processor/hardware accelerator. Complex embedded systems usually contain a high performance Real Time Operating System (RTOS) for task scheduling, prioritization, and management.









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