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. Use of embedded processors in passenger cars, mobile phones, medical equipment, aerospace systems and defence systems is widespread, and even everyday domestic appliances such as dishwashers, televisions, washing machines and video recorders now include at least one such device.

 This  course  provides a ‘hardware-free’ introduction to embedded software for students who:

● Already know how to write software for ‘desktop’ computer systems.

● Are familiar with a C-based language (Java, C++ or C).

● Want to learn how C is used in practical embedded systems.

Chapter 1 Programming embedded systems in C

Introduction

What is an embedded system?

Which processor should you use?

Which programming language should you use?

Which operating system should you use?

How do you develop embedded software?

Conclusions

 Chapter 2 Introducing the 8051 microcontroller family

Introduction

What’s in a name?

The external interface of the Standard 8051

 Reset requirements

Clock frequency and performance

Memory issues

I/O pins

Timers

Interrupts

Serial interface

Power consumption

Conclusions

Chapter 3 Hello Embedded World

Introduction

Installing the Keil software and loading the project

Configuring the simulator

Building the target

Running the simulation

Dissecting the program

Aside: Building the hardware

Conclusions

Chapter 4 Reading switches

 Introduction

Basic techniques for reading from port pins

 Example: Reading and writing bytes

Example: Reading and writing bits (simple version)

Example: Reading and writing bits (generic version)

The need for pull-up resistors

Dealing with switch bounce

Example: Reading switch inputs (basic code)

Example: Counting goats

Conclusions

Chapter 5 Adding structure to your code

Introduction

Object-oriented programming with C

The Project Header (MAIN.H)

The Port Header (PORT.H)

Example: Restructuring the ‘Hello Embedded World’ example

Example: Restructuring the goat-counting example

Further examples

Conclusions

Chapter 6 Meeting real-time constraints

Introduction

Creating ‘hardware delays’ using Timer 0 and Timer 1

Example: Generating a precise 50 ms delay

Example: Creating a portable hardware delay

Why not use Timer 2?

The need for ‘timeout’ mechanisms

Creating loop timeouts

Example: Testing loop timeouts

Example: A more reliable switch interface

Creating hardware timeouts

Example: Testing a hardware timeout

Conclusions

Chapter 7 Creating an embedded operating system

 Introduction

The basis of a simple embedded OS

Introducing sEOS

Using Timer 0 or Timer 1

Is this approach portable?

Alternative system architectures

Important design considerations when using sEOS

Example: Milk pasteurization

Conclusions

Chapter 8 Multi-state systems and function sequences

Introduction

Implementing a Multi-State (Timed) system

Example: Traffic light sequencing

Example: Animatronic dinosaur

Implementing a Multi-State (Input/Timed) system

Example: Controller for a washing machine

Conclusions

Chapter 9 Using the serial interface

Introduction

What is RS-232?

Does RS-232 still matter?

The basic RS-232 protocol

Asynchronous data transmission and baud rates

Flow control

The software architecture

Using the on-chip UART for RS-232 communications

Memory requirements

Example: Displaying elapsed time on a PC

The Serial-Menu architecture

Example: Data acquisition

Example: Remote-control robot

Conclusions

Chapter 10 Case study: Intruder alarm system

Introduction

The software architecture

Key software components used in this example

Running the program

The software

Conclusions

Chapter 11 Where do we go from here

Introduction

Have we achieved our aims?

Suggestions for further study

Patterns for Time-Triggered Embedded Systems

Embedded Operating Systems

Conclusions