History of Embedded Systems [year-4]

Summary

This lesson explores the evolution of embedded systems, from the first programmable digital computer in 1944 to modern smart devices. Key milestones include the Apollo guidance computer, the first recognized embedded system, the development of microprocessors by Intel, and the rise of multi-core processors. Today, embedded systems are integral to our daily lives, with over 95% of electronic chips being used in them. The future looks towards autonomous networks and self-driving cars, promising further innovation.

Takeaways

• 📜 The development of embedded systems began with the invention of semiconductor technology, crucial for microcontrollers and microprocessors.
• 💻 The Colossus Mark 1 and Mark 2 were the world's first programmable electronic digital computers, used during World War II for code-breaking.
• 🌕 NASA's Apollo Guidance Computer was a pioneering example of embedded systems, utilizing integrated circuits and enabling astronaut input through a seven-segment display and keyboard.
• 🚀 The Minuteman Missile project developed early embedded systems for military use, with advancements in integrated circuit technology reducing costs dramatically.
• 🖥️ In 1965, the first commercial instrument with an embedded computer, the PDP-8, was launched, marking a shift toward commercial use of embedded systems.
• 🔬 Intel, founded in 1968, revolutionized embedded systems with the development of microcontrollers and microprocessors, leading to significant advancements in electronics.
• 🚗 In 1969, Volkswagen introduced a microprocessor-based fuel injection system, a breakthrough in the automotive industry.
• 📱 The rise of personal computing and mobile devices in the 1980s and 1990s drove the demand for embedded systems, with HP's first touchscreen PC and mobile phones using embedded technology.
• 🌐 Embedded systems became wireless in the 1990s, with millions of mobile phones integrating embedded technology for functionality.
• 🤖 Predictions for the future of embedded systems include autonomous networks and self-driving cars, signaling the continued evolution of this technology.

Q & A

What was the first programmable electronic digital computer developed, and for what purpose?

The first programmable electronic digital computer was the Colossus, developed in 1944 for British codebreakers to read encrypted German messages during World War II.

What was the significance of the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) in the history of embedded systems?

The Apollo Guidance Computer, developed in the 1960s for NASA's Apollo missions, was the first computer to use integrated circuits and is considered one of the earliest examples of modern embedded systems.

How did semiconductor technology influence the development of embedded systems?

Semiconductor technology enabled the development of microcontrollers and microprocessors, which are essential for embedded systems. Without semiconductors, embedded systems wouldn't exist as we know them today.

What advancements were made in the Minuteman missile program regarding embedded systems?

The Minuteman missile program in 1961 used discrete transistor logic and a hard disk for its guidance computer. By 1966, the system was upgraded with a microelectronic guidance computer using integrated circuits, reducing both size and cost.

What was the role of Intel in the evolution of embedded systems?

Intel, founded in 1968, played a pivotal role in the evolution of embedded systems by developing microprocessors like the Intel 4004 in 1971, which became central to many modern electronics.

How did the development of microcontrollers in the 1980s impact embedded systems?

Microcontrollers, optimized for power consumption and physical size, became widely demanded in the 1980s. Their use allowed for more efficient embedded systems in a variety of applications.

What technological advancement did HP introduce in 1983 related to embedded systems?

In 1983, HP introduced the HP 150 personal computer, which featured touch screen sensitivity, a significant advancement in embedded systems technology at the time.

How did embedded systems influence mobile phone manufacturing in the 1990s?

By 1992, embedded systems were integral to mobile phones, with around 10 million phones being manufactured using embedded systems to control their functionality.

What was the impact of the Android operating system on the embedded systems market?

The Android operating system, launched as open source in 2008, revolutionized the embedded systems market by providing a flexible platform for mobile devices and other embedded systems.

What future trends are predicted for embedded systems, according to the script?

The future of embedded systems is predicted to include autonomous networks and self-driving cars, with the technology expected to hit the streets by 2020, significantly changing industries and daily life.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 The Evolution of Embedded Systems

This paragraph introduces the history and evolution of embedded systems. It explains that embedded systems are built with specialized hardware and software to perform specific tasks, differentiating them from general computing systems. The development of semiconductor technology, which led to the creation of microprocessors and microcontrollers, is highlighted as a key turning point. The paragraph also touches on the contributions of several industries that helped shape the embedded systems market. It concludes by preparing the audience to explore key historical milestones.

05:01

🛰️ Milestones in Embedded System Development

The second paragraph details important historical milestones in the evolution of embedded systems, starting with the Colossus computers during World War II and NASA's Apollo Guidance Computer, which marked significant advancements in integrated circuits. The text continues with the development of the Minuteman missile guidance system, the first mass-produced embedded system, and early commercial applications of embedded computers such as the PDP-8. The reduction in integrated circuit costs and the founding of Intel in 1968 are also highlighted as pivotal moments in the history of embedded technology.

Keywords

💡Embedded Systems

Embedded systems are specialized computing systems that perform dedicated functions within larger devices. Unlike general-purpose computers, embedded systems are built to carry out specific tasks with efficiency, often using special-purpose hardware and operating systems. In the video, they are depicted as pivotal to modern technology, being present in everything from cars to smartphones.

💡Microcontroller

A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern specific operations in embedded systems. It includes a processor, memory, and input/output peripherals on a single chip, optimizing for low power consumption and space efficiency. The video mentions how microcontrollers emerged in the 1970s and have become crucial components in modern electronics.

💡Semiconductor Technology

Semiconductor technology refers to materials that have electrical conductivity between conductors and insulators, enabling the creation of microprocessors and microcontrollers. The video emphasizes the pivotal role of semiconductors in the development of embedded systems, stating that without semiconductors, the evolution of these systems would have been impossible.

💡Apollo Guidance Computer

The Apollo Guidance Computer was one of the first embedded systems, used by NASA during the Apollo missions. It was designed with integrated circuits, making it lighter and more efficient. The video highlights it as a major milestone in the history of embedded systems, being the first recognized modern example.

💡Microprocessor

A microprocessor is the central unit of a computer system that processes data and performs computational tasks. It is the 'brain' of devices. The video traces the evolution of microprocessors, beginning with Intel's 4004, and how they enabled the rise of personal computers and sophisticated embedded devices.

💡Minuteman Missile

The Minuteman missile project was a U.S. military initiative that developed early embedded systems in the form of guidance computers. The video explains how the missile's guidance system, developed in the 1960s, marked a significant point in the mass production of embedded systems.

💡Integrated Circuits

Integrated circuits (ICs) are sets of electronic circuits on a small flat piece of semiconductor material. The video details how the development of ICs in the 1960s dramatically reduced the cost and size of electronic components, making them essential for the production of embedded systems.

💡Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)

A real-time operating system (RTOS) is designed to process data as it comes in, typically for embedded systems requiring immediate responses. The video mentions VxWorks, an RTOS used in NASA's Mars Pathfinder mission, showing how crucial RTOSs are in time-sensitive, mission-critical applications.

💡Linux

Linux is an open-source operating system kernel that became significant in embedded systems by the late 1990s. The video discusses how Linux, including its real-time versions, became integral to the embedded market, particularly with its use in mobile devices and other consumer electronics.

💡Smart Appliances

Smart appliances are everyday household devices that are integrated with embedded systems, enabling them to connect to the internet and be controlled remotely. The video concludes by describing contemporary examples of embedded systems in devices like refrigerators and washing machines, which can be managed through smartphone apps, illustrating the pervasiveness of this technology in modern life.

Highlights

Introduction to the importance of semiconductor technology in embedded systems.

Colossus Mark 1 and Mark 2 were the first programmable electronic digital computers, developed during World War II to read encrypted German messages.

In 1960, NASA's Apollo Guidance Computer, the first to use integrated circuits, became an early example of an embedded system, crucial for the lunar mission.

The Minuteman Missile 1 guidance system was one of the first mass-produced embedded systems, using discrete transistor logic and a hard disk as its main memory.

The PDP-8, launched in 1965, was the first computer embedded in a commercial instrument.

Advances in the Minuteman Missile 2's guidance system in 1966 saw the use of microelectronic circuits, significantly lowering costs and reducing size.

Intel's founding in 1968 marked the evolution of microcontrollers and microprocessors, essential for modern electronics.

In 1969, Volkswagen introduced a microprocessor-based fuel injection system, a breakthrough in automotive embedded systems.

The first 4-bit microprocessor, Intel 4004, was developed in 1971, along with the highly successful Texas Instruments PMS1000 microcontroller.

HP 150, introduced in 1983, was the first personal computer featuring a touchscreen.

The real-time embedded operating system VxWorks, introduced in 1987, was later used in NASA’s Mars Pathfinder mission.

By 1992, embedded systems went wireless with the mass production of mobile phones using embedded technology.

In 1999, Linux entered the embedded systems market, further solidifying its importance in the field.

Apple’s release of the first iPhone in 2007 and Android’s open-source platform in 2008 revolutionized the embedded systems market.

Modern embedded systems now dominate consumer electronics, with 95% of electronic chips produced being used in embedded applications.

Transcripts

[Music]

history of embedded systems at the end

of this lesson you will be able to

explain the history of embedded systems

define the position of embedded systems

in contemporary scenario

in the previous topic you have learned

how embedded systems differ from general

computing systems we know that embedded

systems are designed using special

purpose hardware and emitted OS to

perform a specific set of tasks it's

very interesting to know about the

specific tasks then through the embedded

systems by exploring its historical

evens here we go

have you ever wondered how the

remarkable development of the embedded

industry has made her life so simpler

and easier it is all due to the

invention and development of

semiconductor technology because without

semiconductors there is no

microcontroller or microprocessor and

without them there will be no embedded

systems hence it is important to know

the efforts of various reputed

industries which have made the embedded

market more successful

so let us take a look back at the major

regions that have marked the history of

embedded systems in 1944 the world's

first programmable electronic digital

computer was developed for the battle

purpose it was named as the Colossus

mark 1 and Mach 2 computers the computer

was specially designed and used by the

British codebreakers to read the

encrypted German messages during the

Second World War in 1960s a most crucial

nasa's lunar machine program called

Apollo guidance computer was started the

project was developed by Charles stark

Draper at the MIT instrumentation

laboratory

this is the Apollo's guidance computer

and it was the first computer to use

integrated circuits with one megahertz

clock four kilobytes worth of Breed only

memory and 256 words of random access

memory this is the user interface which

has a seven segment display unit with a

keyboard it acts as a communication

bridge between the astronaut and the

computer it provided the astronauts to

input their commands numerically a multi

professor David Mindell who is the

author of digital Apollo says the Apollo

guidance computer we're early examples

of what we would today call embedded

computers which now appears in

everything from iPhones to automobiles

thus Apollo guidance computer became the

first recognized modern embedded system

to this world later in 1961 another one

crucial military project was initiated

it was the Minuteman missile 1 for this

the automatics b-17 guidance computer

was developed

it was built from the discrete

transistor logic and had a hard disk as

its main family it was also the first

embedded system to be produced in large

quantities

1965 the first computer embedded in a

commercial instrument was launched it

was a 12-bit pdp-8 mini computer

consequently in 1966 the Minuteman

missile 2 went on prediction this came

up with several major technical

advancements into automatics

it replaces the old automatics guidance

computer with the new micro electronic

guidance computer which was lighter in

weight compared to its older version the

second version was developed with a high

volume of integrated circuits this

process reduced the cost of integrated

circuits from thousand dollars each to

three dollars each

due to its affordability integrated

circuits came into use on various

commercial products widely

in 1968 until was founded by Robert

Noyce and Gordon Moore the beginning of

Intel led to the evolution of

microcontrollers and microprocessors

which is the heart of many modern

electronics in 1969 microprocessor based

fuel injection system was introduced in

the Volkswagen cause and was a

breakthrough in the field of the

embedded systems in 1971 in 10400 for

the first 4-bit microprocessor was

developed by Intel scientists in the

same year P ms1000 one of the most

successful 4-bit microcontroller was

developed by another semiconductor giant

the Pyxis instruments

further in 1974 the Intel 8008 zero was

developed and it was the first

microprocessor to be used in a personal

computer and in 1980s microcontroller

became the demanded technology the

microprocessors are optimized for speed

and memory size withers the

microcontrollers are optimized for

minimized power consumption and physical

size in 1983 HP 150 personal computer

was introduced by deep Packard and will

have late' it was claimed to be the

first computer to be featured with

touchscreen sensitivity in 1987 vxworks

a real-time embedded operating system

was introduced by Wind River systems and

this real-time operating system was used

for NASA's Mars Pathfinder mission in a

later year in 1989 one of the embedded

systems dot-matrix printer was

restricted to 8-bit due to power

expenses and type timing and electrical

constraints in 1992 the embedded systems

went wireless and nearly 10 million

mobile phones

we're manufactured using embedded

systems for controlling their

functioning in 1996 the renowned

software giant Microsoft entered into

the embedded market and designed its

handheld personal computer using Windows

CE 1.0 operating system following with

Windows OS in 1999 the Linux Foundation

started to develop its roots in the

embedded system

and at the beginning of the year 2000 a

second parallel devolution occurred in

the embedded systems one of the

highlights was the launch of the

real-time version of Linux by time C's

corporation in 2005 the multi dollar

companies until IBM and AMD released

their first multi-core processors

and by the year 2007 the reputed

American multi-national technology

company Apple released its first iPhone

mobile following the Apple iPhone in

2008 the first Android phone was

launched and the Android code became an

open source OS finally when it comes to

our contemporary scenario over 95

percentage of electronic chips producing

inner-ear are for embedded systems these

are hidden in familiar objects which you

see around and use every day

another one technological breakthrough

in current embedded market is the Wi-Fi

connected smart appliances the range

includes microwave oven refrigerator

coffee brewer washing machine etc and

all these appliances can be monitored

and controlled via your smart phone app

but what will be the picture of embedded

systems in the future predictions say

autonomous network will become the talk

of the town in the future one of the

most awaited projects in this arena is

the self-driving cars it's a fully

automated driverless car market players

believing this technology is going to

hit the streets soon by 2020 and it's

going to change everything

let's hope for the best

summary from this lesson we have learned

the history of embedded systems the

position of embedded systems in the

contemporary scenario