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: 19
Grade code: 1.4.2.LI.5
Strand code: 4
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.4.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.4.2.LI.5
Theme: AUTOMATION AND EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
Subtheme: EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
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Welcome, future engineers! Look around you. From the smartphone in your pocket and the digital TV decoder (like GoTV or DStv) in your living room, to the traffic lights in Accra or Kumasi, and even the ECG prepaid meter on the wall, our world is filled with "smart" devices. These devices are powered by hidden computers called Embedded Systems. They are the secret brains that make modern technology work. Understanding them, especially their memory, is fundamental to designing, building, and repairing the technology that is shaping Ghana's future, from mobile money transactions to automated farming.
2.1 What is an Embedded System?
An embedded system is a combination of computer hardware and software designed to perform a specific, dedicated function. Unlike a general-purpose computer (like a laptop or desktop) which can run many different programs (games, word processors, web browsers), an embedded system is designed to do one thing, or a very specific set of things, really well. Key Characteristics: Task-Specific: It performs a dedicated task (e.g., a microwave's only job is to heat food). Real-time Constraints: Many must respond to events instantly (e.g., a car's airbag system). Resource-Constrained: They often have limited memory, processing power, and energy. Integrated: They are "embedded" as part of a larger device. Ghanaian Examples: ECG Prepaid Meter: Its dedicated function is to measure electricity consumption, deduct from a credited amount, and disconnect the supply when the credit is finished. Mobile Money (MoMo) Agent's POS Terminal: Its dedicated function is to process financial transactions securely. Digital Watch: Its dedicated functions are telling the time, setting alarms, and maybe a stopwatch. Traffic Light Controller: Its only job is to cycle through red, yellow, and green lights in a programmed sequence. 2.2 Core Components of an Embedded System
A simple embedded system has three main parts: Sensor/Input: Detects changes in the environment (e.g., a button press, temperature sensor). Processor (Microcontroller/MCU): The "brain" that makes decisions based on the input and its programming. Actuator/Output: The part that performs a physical action (e.g., a light turning on, a motor spinning, a display showing a number).
For the processor to work, it needs memory. This is where our main focus lies. 2.3 Memory Architectures: RAM vs. ROM