• Sensor: The sensor changes the physical quantity after measurement into electrical signals so that an observer or any electrical instrument may understand it.

• A-D Converter: An analog-to-digital converter transforms the analog signal that the sensor sends into a digital signal.

• Processor & ASIC: It handles data processing, measurement, and output storage in the memory.

• D-A Converter: It converts the digital data to Analog data.

• Actuator: When an actuator compares the output of the D-A Converter with the actual (expected) output that is stored in it, the permissible output is stored.

• Memory: It refers to parts of the system that store data, either permanently or temporarily, for a variety of uses.

An embedded system consists of an industrial enclosure housing a sturdy motherboard, I/O (Input and Output), and embedded operating system software to perform a specific task in an embedded environment.

The computing component is an embedded motherboard, the compact, feature-rich core of an embedded system.

Specialized I/O, such as digital and analog signals, communication ports, and video capture, must be connected to the computer heart for the system to function.

Power supply

The electrical unit in charge of supplying power to the embedded system’s electrical load is known as the power supply component. Although a 5V power source is usually needed, applications may allow for a range of 1.8V to 3.3V. A reliable power source is essential to the smooth running of the system. The power supply device can run on batteries or on a live power source, like a wall adaptor. While some embedded systems draw their power from a separate source, others use the same source as the more powerful technology they support.

Microcontroller and microprocessor

There are two main types of embedded systems: microprocessor- and microcontroller-powered. These parts, which are a type of integrated circuits, provide the system’s processing power. To put it simply, the embedded system’s microcontroller or microprocessor is what powers its operation and acts as its brain. The primary distinction between processors with 8-, 16-, and 32-bit architectures is processing throughput and performance. A 16-bit processor, on the other hand, processes only 16 bits at a time, meaning that its processing speed is significantly lower than that of a 32-bit processor, which can handle 32 bits at once.

Memory

In embedded systems, the memory component is necessary for storing important data. Usually, the microprocessor or microcontroller integrates this part. Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read-Only Memory (ROM) are the two forms of memory. RAM, sometimes referred to as “data memory,” is volatile, meaning that when the power source is switched off, all of the information it contains is erased. However, ROM also referred to as “code memory” is in charge of storing the program code. Because it is non-volatile, system data is kept safe even when the power source is off.

Timer and counter

Timers are employed in scenarios where the embedded system must create a delay before performing a certain operation. Conversely, counters are employed in applications where it’s necessary to track how often a particular event occurs. While down counters count down to 0x00, up counters count upward from the initial value to 0xFF. Register-type circuits are used to integrate counters into the system.

Input/output

The embedded system can communicate with various components of the wider networked infrastructure through input components. As an example, a sensor assists in supplying inputs that the system can process. After processing (counting, for example) is finished, the output component sends the results to the specified location.

Communication interface

Embedded systems can communicate with each other and other parts of the larger system thanks to communication interfaces. There are various interfaces, such as SPI, RS-485, USB, I2C, and UART. The microcontroller has communication ports that are used for basic applications; for more complex applications, additional ports can be attached outside.

Electrical circuit

Custom electrical circuits may be a part of embedded systems, depending on the application. The following are a few fundamental parts found in embedded systems’ electrical circuits:

Printed circuit board (PCB)

One essential part of embedded systems’ electrical circuits is the printed circuit board (PCB). It is a mechanical circuit board that connects various electrical components with conductive copper traces. Wire wrap and point-to-point designs are less economical and operationally efficient than PCB-built electronic circuits.

Resistor

One electrical component that is largely in charge of creating resistance in the current flow is the resistor. It modifies signal levels by carefully reducing current flow. High-power resistors are used in power distribution systems and motor controllers to dissipate more heat. The resistance of a resistor determines its electrical function; the higher the resistance, the more resistance the current flow experiences. Fixed and variable resistors are the two types of resistors. Fixed resistors change resistance in response to temperature, whereas variable resistors are used as force, light, humidity, and heat sensors.

Capacitor

An electrical circuit component having two terminals is called a capacitor. Its primary function is to store and release energy as needed by the circuit. Although there are many different types of capacitors, the majority have two electrical conductors that are divided by a dielectric material. Electrical signals can be filtered, bypassed, and smoothed using capacitors, among other uses.

Diode

There is just one direction in which current can travel through a diode. Typically, semiconductor materials like silicon or germanium are used to make this component. Applications including switches, logic gates, signal mixers, voltage regulators, limiters, clippers, gain control circuits, and clampers can all benefit from it.

Transistor

Transistors are in charge of switching and amplification in an electrical circuit. There are two primary varieties of these: bipolar junction transistors, which have terminals labeled base, emitter, and collector, and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), which are voltage-controlled components with terminals labeled source, gate, and drain. Applications for transistors include motor control, pacemakers, computers, airplanes, and stoves. This part operates on a straightforward principle: for amplification, a tiny current at one terminal generates a huge current at the other terminals.

Integrated circuit

An integrated circuit is a chip that contains many electrical components. It benefits users by offering a pre-assembled chip that can be added to the embedded system without the need for additional capacitors and resistors. Oscillators, microprocessors, amplifiers, memory units, timers, and other devices can all be operated by integrated chips.

Light-emitting diode (LED)

LEDs are frequently used in electrical circuits to show whether the circuit is operating appropriately. LEDs give users the ability to see the circuit’s current status.

Inductor

At last, an electrical component for storing energy in the presence of an electrical current and in an electric field is an inductor. An insulated wire wrapped around a coil is the shape of an inductor. Direct current can pass through while alternating current is blocked. “Chokes” are the inductors utilized for this purpose.

Text editor

The first piece of software required to construct an embedded system is a text editor. Writing source code in the C and C++ programming languages is done with this editor and then saved as a text file.

Compiler

Creating an executable program is the main duty of this component. The machine needs to comprehend the code once it has been prepared in the text editor. The compiler assists in this by converting the written code into low-level machine language. Machine code, assembly language, and object code are a few examples of low-level languages.

Assembler

When the programming language used to create the application is assembly language, the assembler is utilized. To facilitate subsequent processing, the assembly language program is converted into HEX code. After writing the code, the program is written on the chip using a programmer. Compared to the procedure used in a compiler, this is somewhat different. Code is translated directly into machine language by the compiler. On the other hand, machine language is translated from object code into source code by the assembler first.

Emulator

This part operates the embedded system in a simulation environment and makes it act like a real-life system. In short, it helps guarantee optimal written code performance by simulating software performance. To get a sense of how the code will run in real time, utilize the emulator.

Link editor

Typically, software code is written in short segments and modules. The component that takes one or more object files and integrates them to create a single executable code is called a link editor, or “linker.”

Debugger

In the end, a software tool for testing and debugging is the debugger. It is in charge of going over the code, eliminating bugs and other mistakes, and emphasizing the precise places where they happened. Debuggers enable programmers to quickly fix issues.