Embedded XINU and Beyond

1. Embedded XINU and Beyond B. Ramamurthy

2. 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 xinusoftware • Shell, device drivers, memory layout • Read the embedded xinu UML class diagram.

3. 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.

4. Reference • Internet of Things. http://www.dni.gov/nic/PDF_GIF_confreports/disruptivetech/appendix_F.pdflast visited Nov 2010.

5. 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).

6. 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 IBM’s ad on fridge ordering milk for you when the milk is running out

7. 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.

8. Other requirements • Sensors: sense the environment • Positioning systems: determine location • Biometrics: authenticate requests • Machine vision: view the world and identify objects

9. 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

10. Think of the possibilities • Lets discuss some • From shopping to national security and military

11. 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

12. 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.