Book Image

Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems

By : Jim Ledin
4 (1)
Book Image

Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems

4 (1)
By: Jim Ledin

Overview of this book

Modern digital devices used in homes, cars, and wearables contain highly sophisticated computing capabilities composed of embedded systems that generate, receive, and process digital data streams at rates up to multiple gigabits per second. This book will show you how to use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and high-speed digital circuit design to create your own cutting-edge digital systems. Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems takes you through the fundamental concepts of embedded systems, including real-time operation and the Internet of Things (IoT), and the architecture and capabilities of the latest generation of FPGAs. Using powerful free tools for FPGA design and electronic circuit design, you’ll learn how to design, build, test, and debug high-performance FPGA-based IoT devices. The book will also help you get up to speed with embedded system design, circuit design, hardware construction, firmware development, and debugging to produce a high-performance embedded device – a network-based digital oscilloscope. You’ll explore techniques such as designing four-layer printed circuit boards with high-speed differential signal pairs and assembling the board using surface-mount components. By the end of the book, you’ll have a solid understanding of the concepts underlying embedded systems and FPGAs and will be able to design and construct your own sophisticated digital devices.
Table of Contents (15 chapters)
1
Section 1: Fundamentals of High-Performance Embedded Systems
5
Section 2: Designing and Constructing High-Performance Embedded Systems
10
Section 3: Implementing and Testing Real-Time Firmware

The types of sensors used in embedded systems

This section provides a brief overview of a variety of sensor types used in embedded systems. This list is not exhaustive, but it should give you some idea of the variety of sensors available. It is the responsibility of the embedded system architect to identify the list of particular sensor types and the specifications those sensors must meet to implement any particular system design.

Light

Light sensors in embedded systems range in complexity from simple photoresistors to sophisticated multi-band sensor arrays used in devices such as video cameras, microscopes, and astronomical telescopes.

A photoresistor is a resistive device that exhibits a decrease in resistance as the luminosity (the intensity of light) increases on its surface. Photoresistors are commonly used in applications such as nightlights and for safety-related obstacle detection by automatic garage door openers.

Photodiodes and phototransistors are semiconductor...