Embedded XINU and Beyond

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Embedded XINU and Beyond

• B. Ramamurthy

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Embedded XINU

• Platform WRT54GL
• Understand the various components
• CPU, different types of memory, its
  classification as an embedded system, devices,
  device drivers, kernel
• Various software components in the xinu software
• Shell, device drivers, memory layout
• Read the embedded xinu UML class diagram.

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Beyond Exinu

• How does one apply the knowledge acquired in the
  class to other applications?
• What are the emerging application in this area?
• One particular emerging area is that of Internet
  of Things
• It is also known as Internet of objects, refers
  to the interconnection of very objects.

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Reference

• Internet of Things. http//www.dni.gov/nic/PDF_GIF
  _confreports/disruptivetech/appendix_F.pdflast
  visited Nov 2010.

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Things

• It started with simply electronic tagging of
  items to automate the identification, inventory
  control, supply chain management etc.
• Surveillance, security, healthcare, safety, food
  industry
• People location, geo-signals, object detection
• Tele-operation, tele-presence, remote operations
• Embedded within things are devices that can
  sense, compute, monitor and control
• This advance is commonly termed Internet of
  Things (IoT).

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IoT

• Communication is a foundational requirement
• People ??Things
• Things ?? Things
• Things report their status and sensors data and
  people can respond with actions to be taken.
• Things can communicate among themselves to adjust
  to conditions, share data and corrective actions.
• Example the famous IBMs ad on fridge ordering
  milk for you when the milk is running out

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Embedded Controllers

• Most everyday objects have embedded controllers
  in them automatic coffee maker
• The combination of embedded microcontrollers,
  sensors, actuators, network interfaces, and the
  greater Internet makes it possible for the
  Internet to evolve from an network of
  interconnected computers to a network of
  interconnected objects.

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Other requirements

• Sensors sense the environment
• Positioning systems determine location
• Biometrics authenticate requests
• Machine vision view the world and identify
  objects

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Enabling Technology

• Machine-machine interfaces and protocols of
  electronic communication
• Microcontrollers (MIPS processor of WRt54GL)
• Wireless communication
• Identification technology (RFID), QR code
• Energy harvesting technology
• Sensors and transducers
• Actuators pneumatics, pumps, etc.
• Location technology
• Software Still lot to be done

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Think of the possibilities

• Lets discuss some
• From shopping to national security and military

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Applications

• That push the boundaries of IoT
• Cell phones as windows on everything
• Cell phones as remote controllers
• Continuous monitoring and measuring
• Locating things eye glasses and car keys
• Loosely organized things
• Just-in time diagnosis and maintenance of
  vehicles and machinery
• Healthcare and caretaking
• Deterring thefts and knockoffs
• Standards, food safety, energy conservation,
  cyber warfare

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Summary

• Internet of things is a natural evolution of the
  current internet and the devices
• It requires a lot of work from dedicated
  development environment to standards.
• You can use all your embedded systems expertise
  to contribute to advances in this area.