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4
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITY
ATTRIBUTES OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

Unit Structure
10.0 Objectives
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Characteristics of Embedded System
10.3 Quality Attributes of Embedded System
10.3.1 Operational Attributes
10.3.2 Non Operational Attributes
10.4 Review Questions
10.5 References & Further Reading

4.0 OBJECTIVES

After reading this chapter you will:

1. Understand the characteristics of Embedded system
2. Understand the attributes related to quality of embedded
system.

4.1 INTRODUCTION

The characteristics of embedded system are different from

those of a general purpose computer and so are its Quality metrics.
This chapter gives a brief introduction on the characteristics of an
embedded system and the attributes that are associated with its
quality.

4.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF EMBEDDED SYSTEM

Following are some of the characteristics of an

embedded system that make it different from a general purpose
computer:

1. Application and Domain specific

An embedded system is designed for a specific purpose
only. It will not do any other task.
Ex. A washing machine can only wash, it cannot cook
Certain embedded systems are specific to a domain: ex. A
hearing aid is an application that belongs to the domain of
signal processing.
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2. Reactive and Real time

Certain Embedded systems are designed to react to the
events that occur in the nearby environment. These events
also occur real-time.

Ex. An air conditioner adjusts its mechanical parts as soon

as it gets a signal from its sensors to increase or decrease
the temperature when the user operates it using a remote
control.

An embedded system uses Sensors to take inputs and has

actuators to bring out the required functionality.

3. Operation in harsh environment

Certain embedded systems are designed to operate in harsh
environments like very high temperature of the deserts or
very low temperature of the mountains or extreme rains.

These embedded systems have to be capable of sustaining

the environmental conditions it is designed to operate in.

4. Distributed
Certain embedded systems are part of a larger system and
thus form components of a distributed system.

These components are independent of each other but have

to work together for the larger system to function properly.

Ex. A car has many embedded systems controlled to its

dash board. Each one is an independent embedded system
yet the entire car can be said to function properly only if all
the systems work together.

5. Small size and weight

An embedded system that is compact in size and has light
weight will be desirable or more popular than one that is
bulky and heavy.

Ex. Currently available cell phones. The cell phones that

have the maximum features are popular but also their size
and weight is an important characteristic.

For convenience users prefer mobile phones than phablets.

(phone + tablet pc)

6. Power concerns
It is desirable that the power utilization and heat dissipation
of any embedded system be low.
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If more heat is dissipated then additional units like heat sinks

or cooling fans need to be added to the circuit.

If more power is required then a battery of higher power or

more batteries need to be accommodated in the embedded
system.

4.3 QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF EMBEDDED

SYSTEM

These are the attributes that together form the deciding

factor about the quality of an embedded system.

There are two types of quality attributes are:-

1. Operational Quality Attributes.

These are attributes related to operation or functioning of an
embedded system. The way an embedded system operates
affects its overall quality.

2. Non-Operational Quality Attributes.

These are attributes not related to operation or functioning
of an embedded system. The way an embedded system
operates affects its overall quality.

These are the attributes that are associated with the

embedded system before it can be put in operation.

4.3.1 Operational Attributes

a) Response
Response is a measure of quickness of the system.
It gives you an idea about how fast your system is
tracking the input variables.
Most of the embedded system demand fast response
which should be real-time.

b) Throughput
Throughput deals with the efficiency of system.
It can be defined as rate of production or process of a
defined process over a stated period of time.
In case of card reader like the ones used in buses,
throughput means how much transaction the reader can
perform in a minute or hour or day.

c) Reliability
Reliability is a measure of how much percentage you rely
upon the proper functioning of the system .
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Mean Time between failures and Mean Time To Repair

are terms used in defining system reliability.
Mean Time between failures can be defined as the
average time the system is functioning before a failure
occurs.
Mean time to repair can be defined as the average time
the system has spent in repairs.

d) Maintainability
Maintainability deals with support and maintenance to the
end user or a client in case of technical issues and
product failures or on the basis of a routine system
checkup
It can be classified into two types :-

1. Scheduled or Periodic Maintenance

This is the maintenance that is required
regularly after a periodic time interval.
Example :
Periodic Cleaning of Air Conditioners
Refilling of printer cartridges.
2. Maintenance to unexpected failure
This involves the maintenance due to a sudden
breakdown in the functioning of the system.
Example:
1. Air conditioner not powering on
2. Printer not taking paper in spite of a full
paper stack

e) Security
Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability are three corner
stones of information security.
Confidentiality deals with protection data from unauthorized
disclosure.
Integrity gives protection from unauthorized modification.
Availability gives protection from unauthorized user
Certain Embedded systems have to make sure they conform
to the security measures. Ex. An Electronic Safety Deposit
Locker can be used only with a pin number like a password.

f) Safety
Safety deals with the possible damage that can happen to
the operating person and environment due to the breakdown
of an embedded system or due to the emission of hazardous
materials from the embedded products.
A safety analysis is a must in product engineering to
evaluate the anticipated damage and determine the best
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course of action to bring down the consequence of damages

to an acceptable level.

4.3.2 Non Operational Attributes

a) Testability and Debug-ability

It deals with how easily one can test his/her design,
application and by which mean he/she can test it.
In hardware testing the peripherals and total hardware
function in designed manner
Firmware testing is functioning in expected way
Debug-ability is means of debugging the product as such for
figuring out the probable sources that create unexpected
behavior in the total system

b) Evolvability
For embedded system, the qualitative attribute “Evolvability”
refer to ease with which the embedded product can be
modified to take advantage of new firmware or hardware
technology.

c) Portability
Portability is measured of “system Independence”.
An embedded product can be called portable if it is capable
of performing its operation as it is intended to do in various
environments irrespective of different processor and or
controller and embedded operating systems.

d) Time to prototype and market

Time to Market is the time elapsed between the
conceptualization of a product and time at which the product
is ready for selling or use
Product prototyping help in reducing time to market.
Prototyping is an informal kind of rapid product development
in which important feature of the under consider are develop.
In order to shorten the time to prototype, make use of all
possible option like use of reuse, off the self component etc.

e) Per unit and total cost

Cost is an important factor which needs to be carefully
monitored. Proper market study and cost benefit analysis
should be carried out before taking decision on the per unit
cost of the embedded product.
When the product is introduced in the market, for the initial
period the sales and revenue will be low
There won’t be much competition when the product sales
and revenue increase.
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During the maturing phase, the growth will be steady and

revenue reaches highest point and at retirement time there
will be a drop in sales volume.

4.4 REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Explain the characteristics of an embedded system

2. Explain the Operational Quality Attributes of an
embedded system
3. Explain the non quality attributes of an embedded
system

4.5 REFERENCES & FURTHER READING

1. Programming Embedded systems in C++ by Michael Barr

2. Introduction to Embedded systems – Shibu K. V