Embedded firmware

The embedded firmware controls the different peripherals of the embedded hardware. It also performs the duty of generating response in accordance with the functional requirements mentioned in the requirements for the particular embedded product. Thus firmware is acting as the master brain of the embedded system. Embedding the firmware in the embedded system hardware is known as imparting intelligence. This can be done either immediately after the fabrication of the embedded hardware or at a later stage. Imparting intelligence facilitates proper functioning of the system until a hardware breakdown or firmware corruption. In case of hardware breakdown, the damaged component is replaced by a new component. In case of firmware corruptions, the firmware is reloaded. Embedded firmware design requires in depth knowledge of embedded product hardware, various interfacing components, memory map details, input/output port details, configuration and register details of various hardware chips used and some programming language. First step in the embedded firmware design is to write a program based on product requirements using tools like UML or flowchart. Second step involves the implementation of the tasks and actions by using a language which the target processor understands. The different approaches used in embedded firmware design are the super loop based approach and embedded operating system based approach.