This document provides an introduction to embedded systems and microcontrollers. It outlines what students will learn in the course, including developing embedded systems using PIC microcontrollers with assembly language and C/C++, and interfacing with devices using communication protocols. The recommended textbook and course structure are also presented, with the document concluding by introducing embedded systems, microcontrollers, and the selection process as well as features of PIC microcontrollers.

1. Lec. 1
Introduction to
Embedded
Systems
Dr. Asim Ghaffar
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering (Robotics)
University of Leeds, UK
Email: asim.ghaffar@uet.edu.pk

2. What will you learn in this course?
• Develop a PIC based embedded system using assembly language and C++ or C
• Interface with devices such as sensors, actuators & HMI and some industry
standard protocols of communication such as I/O Ports, I2C, USART and SPI
Learning Outcomes
– Students should be able to:
• (a) program a microcontroller using Assembly/C language to perform an
engineering task, like Temperature, Pressure or speed Control, Traffic Signal or
Automatics Car Parking etc.
• (b) program computer interfaces using Assembly/C language to connect with
other devices
• (c) develop an embedded system to perform specific functions effectively

3. Books & Marks Division
Recommended Text book:
• PIC Microcontroller and Embedded Systems by
Muhammad Ali Mazidi, Rolin D. Mickinlay & Danny Causey
Reference book:
• Embedded design with PIC 18F452 by John B. Peatman
Marks:
• Sessional Mid Term End Term:
20+10 30 40

4. Introduction
• Microprocessors fall into two categories
ØGeneral purpose microprocessors used in
high performance applications (no RAM,
no ROM, no I/O ports on the chip itself)
ØMicrocontrollers (performance is
secondary, more concerns about cost,
space and rapid development, fixed
amount of RAM, ROM, I/O ports and a
timer all embedded on a single chip
sometimes ADC as well)
Fig. 1. General purpose Microprocessor
Fig. 2. Microcontroller

5. Embedded Systems
• Embedded System is designed to control one task only
• Controlled by its own internal microprocessor
• Examples
ØPrinters
ØCamera
ØTelephone
ØFax machines
• Microcontroller and embedded processor can be used interchangeably

6. Selection of a Microcontroller
• 5 major µc: Freescale Semiconductor (Motorola), Intel, Atmel Zilog,
PIC, ARM (Advanced/Acorn RISC Machine)
• Each have unique instruction sets & registers. (Not Compatible)
Three Criterion;
• Meeting the computing needs at hand efficiently & cost effectively.
e.g. 8,16 or 32 bit, (Speed, Packaging, power consumption,
RAM/ROM, I/O’s, up gradation, cost )
• Availability of software & hardware development tools like
compilers, simulators, debuggers etc.
• Wide availability & reliable sources of µc in near future.

7. Mechatronics & Microcontroller
• Involved in almost every Mechatronic product as essential
component in automating & controlling any machine or process e.g.
Microwave Oven, mobile, printer etc.
• Knowledge and firm grip on µc is necessary for a Mechatronics
Engineer
• May involve in most of Final Year Projects like in robotic arm,
automobile navigation, controlling different parameters in a chemical
process etc.

8. PIC Microcontroller
• PIC 8-bit microcontroller (Peripheral interface controller)
• CPU can only work on 8 bits of data at a time
• Program should be re-compiled and register locations
should be changed when moving from one pic family to
another
• Features of of PIC 18 (RISC architecture, on-chip program
ROM, data RAM, data EEPROM, timers, ADC, I/O ports

10. Program ROM (Read only memory)
• Used to store programs
• Types (flash, OTP, masked)
• Different versions have different amount of on-chip RAM/ROM
• Some use UV-EPROM for on chip program ROM
• The development requires access to PROM burner and UV-EPROM eraser
• Most PIC 18 have on chip ROM in the form of flash (time efficient)
• PIC18F452 is an example
• A ROM burner is required that supports flash memory, ROM eraser is not needed
as flash is EEPROM
• Program erasing is done by ROM programmer itself
• OTP version is used for mass production (cannot be re-programmed)
• Masked version of PIC requires burning the program during the fabrication
process (cheapest to produce if unit number is higher)

11. Data RAM and EEPROM
• Used for data storage.
• PIC 18 has a maximum of 4K data RAM space
• Data RAM has two components: GPR and SFR
• SFR is fixed
• The size of the GPR determines the size of RAM
• RAM GPR is used for read/write scratch pad and data
manipulation
• PIC µc I/O pins: PIC18 Can have from 16 – 72 pins
• PIC µc peripherals: ADC, Timers, USART

12. Any Questions?