An Introduction to the Design of Small-Scale Embedded Systems
This text offers a comprehensive and balanced introduction to the design of small embedded systems. Important topics covered include microcontroller architectures, memory technologies, data conversion, serial protocols, program design, low power design, and design for the real time environment. The final chapter applies systematic engineering design principles to embedded system design. While the Microchip PIC 16F84 is used extensively to illustrate the early material, examples elsewhere are drawn from a range of microcontroller families, leading to a broad view of device capabilities.
Why Read This Book
You will get a broad, balanced grounding in small-scale embedded-system design, with concrete examples and engineering principles that transfer across microcontroller families. The book emphasizes practical interfacing, low-power and real-time considerations so you can design robust embedded products rather than only write code.
Who Will Benefit
Students and early-career embedded engineers who need a solid, hardware-focused foundation for designing microcontroller-based systems and reliable firmware.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Basic digital electronics and circuit knowledge, and familiarity with programming (assembly or C) and basic logic concepts.
Key Takeaways
- Select appropriate microcontrollers and memory technologies for a constrained embedded application
- Design and interface ADCs/DACs and analog signals to digital microcontrollers
- Implement common serial protocols (UART, SPI, I2C) and understand bus trade-offs
- Structure firmware and programs for responsive, maintainable embedded systems
- Apply low-power techniques to extend battery life in small systems
- Analyze real-time requirements and design systems to meet timing and interrupt constraints
Topics Covered
- 1. Introduction to Small-Scale Embedded Systems
- 2. Microcontroller Architectures and Peripherals
- 3. Memory Technologies and Organization
- 4. Digital I/O, Buses and Interfacing
- 5. Data Conversion: ADCs and DACs
- 6. Serial Communications: UART, SPI, I2C and Protocols
- 7. Program Design and Software Structure for Embedded Systems
- 8. Interrupts, Timing and Real-Time Considerations
- 9. Low-Power Design Techniques
- 10. System Design, Testing and Reliability
- 11. Case Studies and Worked Examples (including PIC16F84)
- 12. Appendices: Development Tools, Assembly/C, and Reference Material
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Covers similar introductory, hardware-focused ground as Elecia White's Making Embedded Systems but is older and uses PIC-centric examples; compared to Valvano's ARM-focused texts, Wilmshurst is more general-purpose and 8-bit microcontroller oriented rather than ARM/RTOS centric.
