Designing Embedded Systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) with the ARM mbed

Perry Xiao

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN: 9781119363996
• eBook ISBN: 9781119364047
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Microelectronics
• Index: Technology & Engineering

A comprehensive and accessible introduction to the development of embedded systems and Internet of Things devices using ARM mbed

Designing Embedded Systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) with the ARM mbed offers an accessible guide to the development of ARM mbed and includes a range of topics on the subject from the basic to the advanced. ARM mbed is a platform and operating system based on 32-bit ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers. This important resource puts the focus on ARM mbed NXP LPC1768 and FRDM-K64F evaluation boards. NXP LPC1768 has powerful features such as a fast microcontroller, various digital and analog I/Os, various serial communication interfaces and a very easy to use Web based compiler. It is one of the most popular kits that are used to study and create projects. FRDM-K64F is relatively new and largely compatible with NXP LPC1768 but with even more powerful features.

This approachable text is an ideal guide that is divided into four sections; Getting Started with the ARM mbed, Covering the Basics, Advanced Topics and Case Studies. This getting started guide:

• Offers a clear introduction to the topic
• Contains a wealth of original and illustrative case studies
• Includes a practical guide to the development of projects with the ARM mbed platform
• Presents timely coverage of how to develop IoT applications

Designing Embedded Systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) with the ARM mbed offers students and R&D engineers a resource for understanding the ARM mbed NXP LPC1768 evaluation board. 

Part I
Introduction to Arm^® Mbed^™ and IoT

In this part:

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Arm® Mbed™
• Chapter 2: Introduction to the Internet of Things (IoT)
• Chapter 3: IoT Enabling Technologies

1
Introduction to Arm® Mbed™

Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?

‐ Confucius

1.1 What is an Embedded System?

An embedded system is a small‐scale computer system that is part of a machine or a larger electrical/mechanical system. It is often designed to perform certain dedicated tasks and often a real‐time system. It is called embedded because the computer system is embedded within a hardware device. Embedded systems are important, as they are getting increasingly used in many daily appliances, such as digital watches, cameras, microwave ovens, washing machines, boilers, fridges, smart TVs, and cars. Embedded systems also often need to be small in size, low in cost, and have low power consumption.

Figure 1.1 Schematic diagram of a typical embedded system.

Figure 1.1 shows the schematic diagram of a typical embedded system that includes a microcontroller, inputs/outputs, and communication interfaces.

Microcontroller

Microcontroller is the brain of an embedded system, which orchestrates all the operations. A microcontroller is a computer processor with memory and all input/output peripherals on it. More details about microcontrollers will be illustrated in the next section.

Inputs

An embedded system interacts with the outside world through its inputs and outputs. Inputs can be digital inputs or analog inputs. Inputs are typically used for reading data from sensors (temperature sensor, light sensor, ultrasound sensor, etc.) or other types of input devices (keys, buttons, etc.).

Outputs

Outputs can also be digital outputs or analog outputs. Outputs are typically used for display, driving motors, or other devices (actuators).

Communication Interfaces

An embedded system communicates with other devices using communication interfaces, which includes Ethernet, USB (Universal Serial Bus), CAN (Controller Area Network), Infrared, ZigBee, WiFi and Bluetooth, for example.

1.2 Microcontrollers and Microprocessors

At the heart of embedded systems are microcontrollers. Although there are embedded systems built on microprocessors, modern embedded systems are largely based on microcontrollers. A typical microcontroller contains a central processing unit (CPU), interrupts, timer/counter, memory, and other peripherals, all in a single integrated circuit (IC). A microcontroller is a true computer on a chip or system‐on‐a‐chip (SoC). Microcontrollers are ideal for control applications because you can use them to build an embedded system with little additional circuitry.

Microcontrollers (MCU or μC) are different from microprocessors (MPU). A microprocessor is a single IC with only a central processing unit (CPU) on it. In order to make it functional, you will need to add external memory and other peripheral devices. Figure 1.2 shows the main differences between a microprocessor and a microcontroller. To put it simply, you can imagine that a microprocessor is just a CPU on a single IC, while a microcontroller is a small computer with CPU, memory, and other peripherals.

Figure 1.2 Comparison between a microprocessor and a microcontroller.

Microprocessors are mainly used in general‐purpose systems like personal computers. They have relatively high computational capacity and can perform numerous tasks. Microprocessors have relatively high clock frequency, usually in the order of gigahertz. Microprocessors generally consume more power and often require external cooling system.

Microcontrollers are designed for control applications and are generally used in embedded systems. They have relatively low computational capacity and can perform single or very few tasks. Microcontrollers have relatively low clock frequency, usually in the order of megahertz. Microcontrollers consume less power and have no need for a cooling system.

Figure 1.3 Detailed schematic diagram of a microcontroller.

Figure 1.3 shows a more detailed schematic...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Dedication
• About the Author
• Preface
• Author’s Acknowledgments
• About the companion website
• Part I: Introduction to Arm® Mbed™ and IoT
• Part II: Arm® Mbed™ Development
• Part III: The IoT Starter Kit and IoT Projects
• Part IV: Appendices
• Index
• End User License Agreement