Computers as Components: Principles of Embedded Computing System Design (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Computer Architec
Computers as Components: Principles of Embedded Computing System Design, Fourth Edition, continues to focus on foundational content in embedded systems technology and design while introducing new content on security and safety, the design of Internet-of-Things devices and systems, and wireless communications standards like Bluetooth® and ZigBee®.
- Uses real processors to demonstrate both technology and techniques
- Shows readers how to apply principles to actual design practice
- Stresses necessary fundamentals that can be applied to evolving technologies and helps readers gain facility to design large, complex embedded systems
- Covers the design of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and systems, including applications, devices, and communication systems and databases
- Introduces concepts of safety and security in embedded systems
- Includes new chapter on Automotive and Aerospace Systems
- Describes wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth® and ZigBee®
Why Read This Book
You will learn principled, architecture‑level approaches to building reliable embedded systems that bridge hardware and software; the book mixes theory with real‑processor examples so you can apply techniques to actual designs. It also brings modern topics — IoT system design, wireless standards, safety and security — into an engineer’s workflow so you can design connected, dependable devices rather than toy projects.
Who Will Benefit
Embedded engineers, firmware developers, and senior undergraduate/graduate students who know basic digital and software fundamentals and need a principled, system‑level reference for building RTOS‑based, IoT, and embedded Linux systems.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Basic C programming and familiarity with digital logic and computer architecture fundamentals; introductory knowledge of microcontrollers, interrupts, and basic electronics.
Key Takeaways
- Design embedded computing systems that balance hardware constraints, real‑time requirements, and software complexity
- Analyze and choose processor and memory architectures appropriate for embedded applications
- Apply RTOS concepts and scheduling techniques to meet real‑time deadlines and concurrency constraints
- Implement reliable I/O, communication stacks (including Bluetooth/ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4), and IoT system architectures
- Evaluate safety, security, and power tradeoffs and incorporate design practices for robustness
- Use case studies on real processors to translate principles into practical firmware and system designs
Topics Covered
- Introduction to Embedded System Design and Methodology
- Computing Hardware and Processor Architectures for Embedded Systems
- Instruction Set Tradeoffs and Processor Examples
- Interfacing, Peripherals, and I/O Hardware
- Concurrency, Scheduling, and Real‑Time Operating Systems
- Memory Systems and Storage for Embedded Devices
- Communication Protocols, Networking, and Wireless Standards (Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc.)
- Design of Internet‑of‑Things Devices and Systems
- Safety, Security, and Reliability in Embedded Systems
- Power and Energy‑aware Design
- System Integration, Verification, and Case Studies on Real Processors
- Future Trends and Design Methodologies
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Compared with Jonathan Valvano’s hands‑on ARM Cortex‑M texts, Wolf’s book is broader and more architecture/principles‑oriented; compared with Jane Liu’s Real‑Time Systems, it emphasizes hardware/software co‑design and practical IoT/security topics rather than only scheduling theory.
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