ABSTRACT
This chapter describes embedded computing systems that make use of microprocessors to implement part of the system’s function. It also describes hardware/software codesign, which is the process of designing embedded systems while simultaneously considering the design of its hardware and software elements. Microprocessors are generally categorized by their word size, since word size is associated both with maximum program size and data resolution. Microprocessors are generally categorized by their word size, since word size is associated both with maximum program size and data resolution. Depending on the application, various combinations of criteria may be important goals for the system design. Two typical criteria are speed and manufacturing cost. The embedded application software includes components for managing I/O devices and for performing the core computational tasks. The basic software techniques for communicating with I/O devices are polling and interrupt-driven. Hardware/software codesign refers to any methodology which takes into account both hardware and software during the design of an embedded computing system.
