| Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revision |
| en:iot-open:iotmicrocontrollers2 [2024/05/23 09:20] – ktokarz | en:iot-open:iotmicrocontrollers2 [2024/05/27 10:12] (current) – pczekalski |
|---|
| ====== Introduction to the IoT Microcontrollers ====== | ====== Introduction to the IoT Microcontrollers ====== |
| {{:en:iot-open:czapka_b.png?50| General audience classification icon }}{{:en:iot-open:czapka_e.png?50| General audience classification icon }}\\ | {{:en:iot-open:czapka_b.png?50| General audience classification icon }}{{:en:iot-open:czapka_e.png?50| General audience classification icon }}\\ |
| At the perception layer of IoT systems usually some kind of computer operates. Depending on the complexity of the device the computational power of it does not need to be very high. Its design is similar to the Embedded System with the difference that the IoT node device should be equipped with some communication module. We can denote IoT end-device as the constrained computer build with four modules: sensing unit, processing unit, communication unit, and power supply unit. An essential element of the IoT node is the software, capable of performing a set of functionalities. | At the perception layer of IoT systems usually some kind of computer operates. Depending on the complexity of the device the computational power of it does not need to be very high. Its design is similar to the Embedded System with the difference that the IoT node device should be equipped with some communication module. We can denote the IoT end-device as the constrained computer, built with four modules: a **sensing unit**, a **processing unit**, a **communication unit**, and a **power supply unit**, as presented in the figure {{ref>RefIoTnode}}. An essential element of the IoT node is the software, capable of performing a set of functionalities. |
| | <figure RefIoTnode> |
| | {{ :en:iot-open:iot_node.png?500 | IoT node in the Perception layer }} |
| | <caption>IoT node in the Perception layer</caption> |
| | </figure> |
| Every computer consists of at least the central processing unit (processor), memory, and peripheral devices, all connected with address, data and control buses. In modern embedded systems architectures usually, the mentioned elements are integrated into one chip forming the single-chip computer. | Every computer consists of at least the central processing unit (processor), memory, and peripheral devices, all connected with address, data and control buses. In modern embedded systems architectures usually, the mentioned elements are integrated into one chip forming the single-chip computer. |
| There exists a variety of different kinds of processors with capabilities adjusted to the target system requirements. The most universal is the general-purpose processor which can be a microprocessor, microcontroller, or embedded processor. The microprocessor as the device that requires connection of external peripherals and memory is not currently used in embedded or IoT systems design. It gave the leading place to microcontrollers, which are representatives of one-chip computers. Embedded processor being the extended version of microcontroller is also the popular choice. If such an integrated circuit contains also expansion modules for eg. a radio module it is called System on Chip (SoC). IoT nodes can also be built using the digital signal processor (DSP), especially if they implement some audio or video signal processing. For high-volume device production Application Specific Integrated Circuits can be used, designed for specific, specialised use. One type of ASIC can be an Application Specific Processor (ASP). There exist also technologies of programmable hardware design implemented as the matrices of universal logic units called Field Programmable Gate Array. FPGA technology allows for flexible reconfiguration of the hardware enabling implementation of different microprocessors with other elements of the computer in one universal integrated circuit. | There exists a variety of different kinds of processors with capabilities adjusted to the target system requirements. The most universal is the general-purpose processor which can be a microprocessor, microcontroller, or embedded processor. The **microprocessor** as the device that requires connection of external peripherals and memory is not currently used in embedded or IoT systems design. It gave the leading place to **microcontrollers**, which are representatives of one-chip computers. **Embedded processor** being the extended version of microcontroller is also the popular choice. If such an integrated circuit also contains expansion modules, eg, a radio module, it is called **System on Chip** (SoC). IoT nodes can also be built using the **Digital Signal Processor** (DSP), especially if they implement some audio or video signal processing. For high-volume device production Application Specific Integrated Circuits can be used, designed for specific, specialised use. One type of ASIC can be an **Application Specific Processor** (ASP). There exist also technologies of programmable hardware design implemented as the matrices of universal logic units called **Field Programmable Gate Array**. FPGA technology allows for flexible reconfiguration of the hardware enabling implementation of different microprocessors with other elements of the computer in one universal integrated circuit. This can be achieved with the use of ready descriptions of electronic units written in special hardware description language (Verilog, VHDL). |
| Currently, the most popular choice to design the IoT node is some kind of single-chip computer: microcontroller, embedded processor or System on Chip. The element of this type is an integrated circuit that incorporates all units required to function as the computer. It includes a central processing unit (CPU), memory for programs, memory for data, inputs, outputs, timers, serial communication ports and other peripherals. Complex microcontrollers, called embedded processors, can include more processor cores, display controllers, advanced internal data transfer mechanisms (like DMA), programmable connections between modules, specialised coprocessors for ciphering and deciphering, compression and decompression, video and audio coding and decoding, and other modules. | Currently, the most popular choice to design the IoT node is some kind of single-chip computer: microcontroller, embedded processor or System on Chip. The element of this type is an integrated circuit that incorporates all units required to function as the computer. It includes a central processing unit (CPU), memory for programs, memory for data, inputs, outputs, timers, serial communication ports and other peripherals. Complex microcontrollers, called embedded processors, can include more processor cores, display controllers, advanced internal data transfer mechanisms (like DMA), programmable connections between modules, specialised coprocessors for ciphering and deciphering, compression and decompression, video and audio coding and decoding, and other modules. |
| Wireless networking capability makes Microcontrollers even more complex in the IoT world. A complex microcontroller equipped with an internal radio communication module is also known as a System on Chip (SoC). <note>Although many microcontrollers or SoCs are called processors, historically, the processor is the name of the element of the CPU functionality only. It must be connected to memory and peripherals to form a fully functional computer. On the other hand, a microcontroller, embedded processor or System on Chip can work without any external elements; it just requires the power supply to operate.</note> | Wireless networking capability makes Microcontrollers even more complex in the IoT world. A complex microcontroller equipped with an internal radio communication module is also known as a System on Chip (SoC). <note>Although many microcontrollers or SoCs are called processors, historically, the processor is the name of the element of the CPU functionality only. It must be connected to memory and peripherals to form a fully functional computer. On the other hand, a microcontroller, embedded processor or System on Chip can work without any external elements; it just requires the power supply to operate.</note> |
