Scribd
Upload
8 views

Programming Embedded Systems in C

Uploaded by

vaishukg112
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views

Programming Embedded Systems in C

Uploaded by

vaishukg112
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 16

Programming Embedded Systems

in C
Embedded system

• An embedded system is an application that contains at least


one programmable computer (typically in the form of a
microcontroller, a microprocessor or digital signal processor
chip) and which is used by individuals who are, in the main,
unaware that the system is computer-based.
Typical examples of embedded applications

• Mobile phone systems (including both customer handsets


and base stations).

• Automotive applications (including braking systems,


traction control, airbag release systems, engine-
management units).

• Domestic appliances (including dishwashers, televisions,


washing machines, microwave ovens, video recorders,
security systems).
Typical examples of embedded applications

• Aerospace applications (including flight control systems,


engine controllers, autopilots and passenger in-flight
entertainment systems).

• Medical equipment (including anaesthesia monitoring


systems, ECG monitors, drug delivery systems and MRI
scanners).
• Defence systems (including radar systems, fighter aircraft
flight control systems, radio systems and missile guidance
systems).
INTRODUCTION
• Some important decisions must be made at the start of any
embedded project:

• The choice of processor.


• The choice of programming language.
• The choice of operating system.
Which programming language should you use?
• Key decision that needs to be made is the choice of
programming language.
• To identify a suitable language for embedded systems , the
following observations must be made:
• Computers (such as microcontroller, microprocessor or DSP
chips) only accept instructions in ‘machine code’ (‘object
code’).
• Interpretation of the code by the programmer is difficult
and error prone.
• All software, whether in assembly, C, C++, or Java must
ultimately be translated into machine code in order to be
executed by the computer.
• Poor translator generate poor executable code.

• Embedded processors – like the 8051 – have limited


processor power and very limited memory available: the
language used must be efficient.

• Need low-level access to the hardware.

• The language chosen should be in common use.

• All we can really say is that we require a language that is


efficient, high-level, gives low-level access to hardware, and
is well defined.

• Against all of these points, C scores well.


C’s features as follows:
• It is ‘mid-level’, with ‘high-level’ features (such as support for
functions and modules), and ‘low-level’ features (such as good
access to hardware via pointers).

• It is very efficient.

• It is popular and well understood.

• Even desktop developers who have used only Java or C++ can
soon understand C syntax.

• Good, well-proven compilers are available.

• Overall, C’s strengths for embedded system development


Programing in Embedded C
• The simplest architecture in an embedded system is typically
a form of ‘Super Loop’
• When power is applied to the system.

• The function main() will be called: having


performed the initializations,

• The function X() will be called, repeatedly, until the


system is disconnected from the power supply

You might also like