Microcontroller in Embedded Systems

by Hemachandra R Bhat
August 8, 2024
3 minutes read
912 Views

Embedded systems and microcontrollers are important concepts in computing, often used interchangeably but with distinct differences. This article discusses the relationship between embedded systems and microcontrollers, clarifying their roles, functionalities, and applications.

What is an Embedded System?

An embedded system is a specialized computing system designed to perform a dedicated task or related tasks. It combines hardware and software components to execute specific functions efficiently and reliably. Embedded systems are found in various applications, including consumer electronics, automotive, industrial automation, and healthcare. In almost all of the embedded systems, you will find at least one microcontroller. An Embedded system consists of a microcontroller, software running on or off the microcontroller, input devices (like keypad and touch sensors, output devices (like LCD, Seven Segment Display) and communication devices.

What is a Microcontroller?

A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit that includes a processor, memory, and peripheral interfaces on a single chip. It is designed to perform generally control-oriented tasks and is a key component of many embedded systems. The modern microcontrollers are going beyond the control tasks and are used in applications like car infotainment. The microcontrollers are built with a set of embedded systems in mind. 8051-based microcontrollers are very popular in embedded systems that require lower processing and don’t need an OS. They are simple to design, simple to write code and lower in cost. The systems that need more processing power mostly use ARM-based microcontrollers.

Key features

1. Scope and Functionality

Embedded Systems: Encompass a broader range of hardware and software designed for specific applications. They include not only the microcontroller but also other components like sensors, actuators, communication modules, and power supplies.

Also read: Characteristics of an Embedded System

Microcontrollers: Focus specifically on the core computing unit within an embedded system. They provide the processing power, memory, and I/O interfaces necessary for control tasks.

2. Complexity

Embedded Systems: Can vary significantly in complexity, from simple devices like digital watches to complex systems like automotive engine control units (ECUs).

Microcontrollers: They come in different flavors with 8051 based ones on lower end and ARM A series processor based microcontrollers on higher end.. They are designed for efficiency and cost-effectiveness and are generally targeted towards specific set of applications. For example ARM R series processor based microcontrollers are generally used in automotive safety applications due to their faster interrupt response.

3. Components

Embedded Systems: Include multiple components, such as sensors, actuators, communication interfaces, power management circuits, and software/firmware.

Also read: What are the Components of an Embedded System?

Microcontrollers: Integrate the processor, memory (both RAM and non-volatile storage), and peripherals (I/O ports, timers, ADCs/DACs) on a single chip.

4. Applications

Embedded Systems: Used in a wide array of applications across various industries, including consumer electronics (smartphones, smart home devices), automotive (ADAS, ECUs), healthcare (medical devices, wearables), industrial automation (robots, process controllers), and telecommunications (routers, base stations).

Also read: What are the Applications of Embedded Systems?

Microcontrollers: Employed generally in control-oriented tasks within embedded systems, such as managing sensor data, controlling actuators, and handling real-time processing requirements. The new generation multi core ARM-based microcontrollers are used in infotainment applications that require higher CPU power. The scope of microcontroller usage has significantly increased with more powerful microcontrollers.

Conclusion

While embedded systems and microcontrollers are quite distinct these 2 terms are used often interchangeably. Embedded systems encompass a broader range of components and functionalities designed for specific applications, while microcontrollers are focused on providing the core processing and control capabilities within those systems. Understanding the differences and similarities between the two is essential for designing and optimizing modern technological solutions.

Looking to kickstart your career as an Embedded Systems Engineer? Stay tuned for our upcoming Embedded Systems Course, launching soon! Click here to learn more about the course offerings.

Hemachandra R Bhat

Chief Technical Officer, Maven Silicon

Mr. Hemachandra R Bhat has over 35 years of experience in VLSI and Embedded Systems, including demonstrated history of the development of AI Products and IT Services. He has expertise in Product Engineering, IC Design, Linux Drivers, Embedded System Design, Robotics platforms based on mobile robots, including drones. He has developed scalable platforms for Robotics and Drones and has 2 patents granted.

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Have Doubts?

FAQ

All the Integrated Chips we use in mobiles, TVs, computers, satellites, and automobiles, etc. are designed with VLSI technology. Hence, there is a huge scope and growth in the VLSI Industry and it is full of job opportunities. Since there is a huge gap between what the college education offers and the industry expectation, it is recommended to go for the VLSI training which bridges that gap and gives you a great hands-on experience.

Steps involved in Chip design Chip’s architecture: Create circuit designs, Run simulations, Supervise layout, Tape out the chip to the foundry and Evaluate the prototype once the chip comes back from the laboratory. Chip designers work to make faster, cheaper and more innovative chips that can automate parts or the entire function of electronic devices. A chip design engineer’s job involves architecture, logic design, circuit design and physical design of the chip, testing, and verification of the final product.

VLSI is a very good domain to build a career with a huge number of opportunities. There is a demand for chips in every sector, be it automobiles, consumer electronics or high-end servers. You should have good command on Verilog, SystemVerilog, and UVM to start your career as VLSI Design or VLSI Verification Engineer

The undergraduates, graduates, or postgraduates from below streams can take up VLSI Chip Design Course and make a career in VLSI Industry. BE/BTech in EEE/ECE/TE or ME/MTech/MS in Electronics/MSc Electronics

To join the industry as a VLSI verification engineer, you must have hands-on experience of below topics: SystemVerilog, Universal Verification Methodologies UVM, Assertion based Verification SVA

Maven Silicon provides the best quality VLSI training through a variety of design and verification courses to suit your need and demand. We offer online VLSI courses, Job-oriented fulltime and Blended VLSI courses, Internship programs, part time courses and corporate training.Explore our offerings at https://www.maven-silicon.com/

Every course has a different admission procedure:
1. For Advanced VLSI Design and Verification course at Maven Silicon, you can apply while you are in the final semester, graduation or post-graduation.
2. For the Internship program, you can apply in your pre-final/final year. Advise you to book your seats in advance, pertaining to limited admissions and increased demand.
3. You can subscribe to our online courses directly from our elearn portal https://elearn.maven-silicon.com/
You can apply for our Online, Job-oriented, Part-time and Corporate courses on https://www.maven-silicon.com/application

We do have an entrance exam for our job-oriented courses VLSI RN and VLSI VM. After you meet the eligibility criteria you have to undergo an Online Entrance Test which would check you on the concepts of Basic Electronics and Digital Electronics. Post scoring 60% in this test, you are processed for the technical interview with our technical experts. Based on your performance during the interview, you will be selected for the Advanced VLSI Design and Verification course. For our online VLSI courses, we do not have any entrance exams. You can directly subscribe the courses from our elearn portal https://elearn.maven-silicon.com/

Yes, we do provide the scholarship on our job-oriented courses VLSI RN and VLSI VM based on your performance in the technical interview. To excel in the Online entrance test and the technical interview, we suggest you take our Online Digital electronics course at https://elearn.maven-silicon.com/digital-electronics This online Digital electronics course will help you to learn and refresh the complete fundamentals of digital electronics, highly needed for any VLSI course. Contact us for more details.

We provide 100% placement assistance with our job-oriented course until you get placed. You can refer the link for the placement updates and know more about our hiring partners: https://www.maven-silicon.com/placement

VLSI Frontend course imparts training in the Design and Verification of a chip which mostly includes RTL(Register Transfer Level) coding using either VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog and the verification of the DUT(can be an IP or SOC) by building verification Environment or Testbench using SystemVerilog/UVM/.You also learn to meet the timing constraints of the chip using STA(Static Timing Analysis) and Synthesizing the design using synthesizable constructs. The maximum number of VLSI job opportunities are available in the Verification segment. Backend courses mostly deal with the physical design part of the chip which includes Floorplan, Map, Place and route and DFT and ATPG scan insertion and checks for the flip flops. It also includes the physical verification part of the chip, memory characterization, analog layout, and design.

Yes. VLSI is a high growth domain with huge job opportunities. Electronics is the basic knowledge required to get into the VLSI industry. Engineers with Electronics background can enter into VLSI Industry easily. The VLSI Course is helpful for ECE/EEE students to learn and build up the skill set as per the Industry requirement to enter the Chip/IC Design and Verification Domain.

Inexpensive courses with the utmost quality are our unique selling points. You can explore our courses at https://elearn.maven-silicon.com/

We help you with support material to enhance your basic knowledge of Digital electronics and perform your best. Our online Digital electronics course will help you to learn and refresh the complete fundamentals of digital electronics, which are highly needed for any VLSI course. Contact us for more details.

We do have online VLSI courses for engineers like you. You can start learning with our hands-on online VLSI courses which comes with labs, project, reference material. We also connect with live Q&A, doubt clarification sessions and Whatsapp support group. Click here to explore and subscribe https://elearn.maven-silicon.com/ . If you are looking for online VLSI course with Placement support, then you refer our Blended VLSI learning program at https://www.maven-silicon.com/blended-vlsi-design-asic-verification

We always encourage you to join the course along with friends because it motivates you to learn and finish the course at a fast pace. Contact us to know about group discount options.

Yes. It is good to start early. You can explore and subscribe to our online VLSI design methodologies course or our Internship Program. It is a front-end VLSI course that imparts the VLSI Design Flow, Digital Design and RTL programming using Verilog HDL. After completing the online VLSI DM course/Internship Program, you can easily crack college campus interviews or you can also take up our Advanced ASIC Verification course with 100% placement assistance and can avail up to 100% scholarship based on your grades in our Online VLSI Design Course and the scores of technical interview with our experts.

Yes, we have part-time/Weekend VLSI courses for working professionals. They are specially designed to help you strike a balance between your job and learning. Explore VLSI DM and VM part-time course under Part-time VLSI course in Program offerings at our website https://www.maven-silicon.com/systemverilog-uvm-functional-verification-course

Our Job oriented VLSI courses are highly effective and rigorous programs and follow a continuous evaluation scheme. Candidates are evaluated in the courses through lab reports, project reports, practice tests, assignments, technical presentations, and mock interviews. We also have an evaluation program in our Online VLSI courses through quizzes, tests, and assignments.

You do not need to pay extra for the requisite learning material. We do provide free library access and free online VLSI Courses to our trainees enrolled for job oriented courses for reference and support.

Once you complete your online VLSI course you can upgrade to job oriented VLSI Courses with a very good scholarship. We provide 100% placement assistance for the job oriented VLSI Courses. Advanced VLSI Design and Verification [VLSI – RN ] and Advanced ASIC Verification [ VLSI-VM ] are the job oriented VLSI Courses.

Maven Silicon offers customized in-house and onsite corporate VLSI training courses. This program is specially designed for engineers keeping in view the ever-changing demands of the industry. The participants are equipped with the latest tools, techniques, and skills needed to excel as Verification Engineers. Some of our Corporate training VLSI Courses are SystemVerilog HVL, Verilog HDL, Universal Verification Methodology and Assertion based Verification. Click here for more details: https://www.maven-silicon.com/corporate-training

Yes. Our courses will be very useful. We have had many students taking up our course before going to foreign universities for their Master’s program in VLSI. The practical approach of the courses could help them get campus job opportunities and assistantships..

You can opt for online or offline course but you must choose the right mode considering the time you can spend and the flexibility you need. The online course also provides you Live Q&A, doubt clarification, handy technical support and reference material. So, it is a great offering with best of both worlds. You can learn on the go along with your college studies/ regular office hours and upskill yourself. With Maven Silicon’s Online Verification course, you can master VLSI even if you stay in a remote corner of the world.

Why should I do VLSI training?

What is chip designing?

Is VLSI a good career?

What is the eligibility for VLSI Chip Designing Courses?

What are the must-know things for a VLSI verification engineer?

To join the industry as a VLSI verification engineer, you must have hands-on experience of below topics: SystemVerilog, Universal Verification Methodologies UVM, Assertion based Verification SVA

What can I learn at Maven Silicon? How do I find course information?

What is the process for taking admission for all the courses?

Every course has a different admission procedure:
1. For Advanced VLSI Design and Verification course at Maven Silicon, you can apply while you are in the final semester, graduation or post-graduation.
2. For the Internship program, you can apply in your pre-final/final year. Advise you to book your seats in advance, pertaining to limited admissions and increased demand.
3. You can subscribe to our online courses directly from our elearn portal https://elearn.maven-silicon.com/

You can apply for our Online, Job-oriented, Part-time and Corporate courses on https://www.maven-silicon.com/application

Do you have any entrance exam?

Is there any scholarship available?

Do you offer placement support?

What is the difference between front end and back end VLSI Course?

Is the VLSI course useful for ECE/EEE students?

Does Maven Silicon offer free VLSI courses?

Inexpensive courses with the utmost quality are our unique selling points. You can explore our courses at https://elearn.maven-silicon.com/

Any support material will be given to prepare for online entrance test?

I do not live in Bangalore but I want to attend your VLSI training. What shall I do?

If I join your VLSI course along with my friends, can we avail group discount?

We always encourage you to join the course along with friends because it motivates you to learn and finish the course at a fast pace. Contact us to know about group discount options.

I am in 3rd year of electronics engineering program. Can I join your VLSI course now?

Do you have any part-time or Weekend VLSI Courses?

How will I be evaluated during the VLSI course?

Would I need to pay extra for support material, online training material or license of EDA tools?

Do these online VLSI Courses provide placement support?

Do you provide corporate training in advanced VLSI concepts?

I plan to go abroad for my Master's degree. Will your course be helpful to me in any way

Why should I take up an online course instead of offline?