Introduction to Embedded Technologies

Hi folks,

I’m working on embedded technologies majorly on Linux software. Here I would like to summarize the stuffs that I have learned so far.

Below are the technologies that can be present in a typical high-end complex embedded system.

1. Processor(s) – widely ARM processor is being used
2. Serial interfaces
   • UART – Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter
   • I2C – Inter-integrated Circuit
   • SPI – Serial Peripheral Interfaces
   • USB – Universal Serial Bus
3. Storage systems
   • ROM – Read-only Memory
   • NOR flash memory
   • NAND flash memory
   • eMMC – embedded MultiMediaCard
   • SD, SDIO – Secure Digital, Secure Digital Input Output
4. Peripherals, interfaces and other miscellaneous hardware components in SoC
   • DDR – Double Data Rate
   • GPIO – General Purpose Input/Output pins
   • Various buses like AHB, AXI, etc.
   • Clock controller
   • Oscillators
   • PCIe – Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
   • Crypto block
   • LCD – Liquid Crystal Display
   • Jtag – Joint Test Action Group interface
   • Audio
   • Ethernet interfaces
   • Bluetooth module
   • Zigbee module
   • Power control module
   • Other remote processors / co-processors inside the SoC for various applications
   • Power regulators
   • PHY modules
   • Various external hardware connectors like USB connector, PCIe connectors, etc.
   • LEDs for various functional indications

In the upcoming articles, I would like to explain in detail of my understanding and knowledge in some of the above components.

Also, I will try to explain on the various software features in Linux Kernel.

I will also post on other stuffs that I have come across that will be helpful to other people working on Embedded Systems.