Center for Embedded Systems

(CECS)Eli BozorgzadehEli Bozorgzadeh

Computer Science DepartmentComputer Science Department

What’s an Embedded System?• Embedded systems =

– information processing systems embedded into a larger product

• Two types of computing– Desktop – produced millions/year

– Embedded – billions/year

• Non-Embedded Systems– PCs, servers, and notebooks

• The future of computing!– Automobiles, entertainment,

communication, aviation, handheld devices, military and medical equipments.

Embedded Systems• Devices other than desktop PCs, servers,

and notebooks– Electricity running through– Perform something intelligent

• Hardware/software which form a component of a larger system, but are concealed from user

• Computers camouflaged as non-computers

• The future of computing!

3

An Example Embedded SystemDigital Camera Block Diagram

Simplified Block Diagram

actuatorsactuators

Embedded System Design

ConceptConceptSpecificationSpecification

HW/SWHW/SWPartitioningPartitioning

Hardware ComponentsHardware Components

Software ComponentsSoftware Components

Estimation -Estimation -ExplorationExploration

HardwareHardware

SoftwareSoftware

DesignDesign

(Synthesis, Layout, …)

(Synthesis, Layout, …)

DesignDesign(Compilation, …)

(Compilation, …)

Validation and Evaluation (area, power, performance, …)Validation and Evaluation (area, power, performance, …)

Components of Embedded Systems

• Analog Components– Sensors, Actuators, Controllers, …

• Digital Components– Processor, Coprocessors– Memories– Controllers, Buses– Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC)

• Converters – A2D, D2A, …• Software

– Application Programs– Exception Handlers– Operating systems, compilers

Hardware

Software

Research in Embedded Systems

• Multidisciplinary• Most of Systems topic in computer science and

engineering can be related to embedded systems• Major topics:

– Computer Architecture for Embedded Processors : ARM, AVR, etc.

– Compilers– Operating Systems (example: real time)– Design Automation (Software tools for HW/SW design)– Testing, Verification, and Validation– Software for Embedded Systems

Research Topics in Embedded Systems

• Power Management– Battery life, reliability and thermal issues, energy harvesting

• Coupled with sensor networks– HW/SW co-design, very limited information processing and

computing– Energy management

• Adaptation to Applications and Environment– Reconfigurable and adaptive Systems

• Embedded Software• Security in Embedded Systems

– physical attack– Attack through network

CECS at UC Irvine

• Faculty members from school of engineering and school of ICS

• More than 20 faculty members

• Broad range of research topics from sensor/actuators to compilers and embedded software

• Please check the website:http://www.cecs.uci.edu