Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
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EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
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Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 18
Grade code: 1.4.2.LI.4
Strand code: 4
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.4.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.4.2.LI.4
Theme: AUTOMATION AND EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
Subtheme: EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
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In our daily lives in Ghana, we are surrounded by "smart" devices that perform specific tasks automatically. From the ECG prepaid meter on our walls to the traffic lights in Accra and Kumasi, and even the mobile money (MoMo) agent's POS terminal, these devices are all powered by hidden computers called Embedded Systems. This lesson introduces what these systems are, their core components, and critically, how they use different types of memory (RAM and ROM) to do their jobs efficiently. Understanding this is the first step to designing the next generation of smart solutions for our communities.
A. What is an Embedded System?
An embedded system is not a general-purpose computer like a desktop or laptop. Instead, it is a special-purpose computer system designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions, often in real-time. It is "embedded" as part of a complete device, including hardware and mechanical parts.
Analogy: Think of a chef. A general-purpose computer (like a laptop) is like a master chef who can cook any dish you ask for—jollof, waakye, fufu, or even bake a cake. An embedded system is like a specialized waakye seller—they do one thing (sell waakye) exceptionally well and efficiently.
Key Components: Hardware: The physical parts, including the "brain" which is usually a microcontroller (MCU). The MCU is a small computer on a single chip that contains a processor (CPU), memory (RAM & ROM), and input/output (I/O) peripherals. Application Software (Firmware): The specific program written to perform the dedicated task. This software is stored permanently in the system's memory. Real-Time Operating System (RTOS): (For more complex systems) An OS that manages the application software and hardware resources to execute tasks within a strict, predictable timeframe. B. Memory in Embedded Systems: RAM vs. ROM