ELECTRONICS 1: Embedded Systems : SYBCS (Sem 2) : Semester Exam - Most IMP Question/Answers

 Unit 1: Introduction to Embedded System using Single Board Computers (SBC)

1 mark

Q. Define an Embedded system. (2022)

Answer: An embedded system is a computer system that is specially designed to control and operate a specific device or machine. It is a micro-processor based computer hardware system with software that is designed to perform a dedicated function, either as an independent system or as a part of a large system. 

5 mark

Q.  Explain any two types of SBC in detail. 

Answer: 

The Two types of SBC are as follows:

Raspberry Pi :

Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, credit card-sized SBC that was first introduced in 2012. It is designed and manufactured by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and is widely used in educational, hobbyist, and DIY projects. Raspberry Pi boards feature a Broadcom ARM processor, RAM, and various input/output interfaces such as USB, Ethernet, HDMI, and GPIO pins.Raspberry Pi is known for being user-friendly, with a simple setup process and a range of software tools and programming languages available.

Beagleboard :

BeagleBoard is a more powerful SBC that is designed for advanced applications, such as robotics and industrial automation. BeagleBoard is an open-source hardware platform that was first introduced in 2008 and has evolved over time with different iterations such as BeagleBoard-xM, BeagleBone, and BeagleBone Black. BeagleBone boards feature a more powerful ARM processor, more RAM, and a range of input/output interfaces, including Ethernet, USB, HDMI, and GPIO pins.BeagleBoard is known for being flexible and customizable, with support for a wide range of software and operating systems.

Q. List the advantages and disadvantages of SBC. (2022)

Answer: 

Advantages of SBCs:

1) Small size and low power consumption
2) Can be easily integrated into existing systems
3) More cost-effective than traditional computers for certain applications
4) Ideal for low-power and low-cost applications

Disadvantages of SBCs:

1) Limited computing power compared to traditional computers
2) May require additional peripherals or components for certain applications
3) May be more difficult to set up and use compared to traditional computers

Q. Explain different types of Network Access devices used for SBC along with their features. (2022)

Answer:

Different types of network access devices used for SBC are:

1. Ethernet: It is a networking device used to connect computers in a network using wired connection. It provides a way to transmit data packets over cables. Ethernet devices include switches (that connects multiple devices),  routers (that directs traffic between networks), network interface cards (integrated into motherboard of computer or sbc), and modems (that provides connectivity to internet). 

2. CAN Bus: Control Area Network is specifically designed for automotive industry. It establishes connections between microcontroller in the motor vehicle. It allows multiple devices to send and receive messages on the bus. Each device in CAN has CAN controller chip and all devices can see all transmitted messages. Then each device can decide whether the message is relecant or should be filtered.

3. I2C: It is a two wire serial communication protocol. It allows multiple devices to share the bus. Simple master slave relationship exists between all components in I2C. The I2C devices can be either masters or slaves. Each slave device has a unique address. 

Unit 2: Architecture of System on Chip (SOC)

1 mark

Q. Which processor is used in Raspberry pi. (2022)

Answer: The processor used in most Raspberry Pi models is an ARM-based processor, which is designed by the British company ARM Holdings.

Q. How physical numbering scheme is selected on Raspberry pi? (2022)

Answer: The physical numbering scheme on Raspberry Pi refers to the pin numbering system used for the GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins on the Raspberry Pi's header. 

The physical numbering scheme is based on the physical location of the GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi board. The physical numbering scheme on Raspberry Pi boards is divided into two main parts: the P1 header and the P5 header. 

The P1 header contains the majority of the GPIO pins on the board, while the P5 header contains a smaller set of additional GPIO pins. The P1 header has 40 pins numbered 1 to 40, starting from the top left pin (when the board's USB and Ethernet ports are facing towards you), and moving down the left side of the header, then up the right side. 

The P5 header has 4 pins, numbered 1 to 4, with pin 1 located closest to the edge of the board.

2.5 mark

Q.Short note on Raspberry pi and Beagle Bone SBC. (2022)

Answer: 

Raspberry Pi: Raspberry Pi is a series of small, low-cost, credit-card-sized computers that run on ARM-based processors. It was first introduced in 2012 and has since become a popular choice for hobbyists, students, and professionals alike due to its affordability, versatility, and ease of use. The Raspberry Pi boards are designed to be used in a wide range of projects, including robotics, home automation, media centers, and many more. Raspberry Pi supports various operating systems including Raspbian (based on Debian), Ubuntu, and Windows 10 IoT.

BeagleBone: BeagleBone is another popular SBC that was first introduced in 2011. Unlike Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone is designed for more advanced users who require more processing power and I/O capabilities. BeagleBone boards are based on ARM Cortex processors and come in several different models. BeagleBone boards support a wide range of programming languages and operating systems, including Linux, Android, and Windows 10 IoT. BeagleBone is popular among developers who require a more powerful SBC for advanced robotics, automation, and other complex projects.

Q. Short note on ARM 1176JZF-S. (2022)

5 mark

Q. Draw the neat diagram of architecture of SOC. Explain any three blocks of it. (2022)

Answer: 

The architecture of an SOC typically includes the following blocks:

Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is the primary processing unit of an SOC and is responsible for executing instructions, performing arithmetic and logical operations, and controlling the flow of data within the system.

Memory: SOC includes different types of memory such as RAM, ROM, and flash memory. RAM is used for temporary data storage, while ROM and flash memory are used for permanent data storage.

Input/output (I/O) interfaces: SOC includes several I/O interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, USB, Ethernet, and others. These interfaces enable the SOC to communicate with external devices such as sensors, displays, and other peripherals.

Other blocks in an SOC may include a graphics processing unit (GPU), analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and other specialized hardware blocks.

Q. Write the functions of following blocks of Raspberry pi (2022)

I) HDMI II) Micro SD Card III) USB ports IV) Ethernet V) Processor

Answer:

Here are the functions of the following blocks of Raspberry Pi:

I) HDMI: HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital interface that allows Raspberry Pi to connect to external displays such as TVs and monitors. It supports audio and video.

II) Micro SD Card: The Micro SD Card on Raspberry Pi serves as the primary storage for the operating system, applications, and data. Additionally, the Micro SD Card can be used to expand the storage capacity of the Raspberry Pi.

III) USB Ports: Raspberry Pi comes with multiple USB ports that allow for the connection of various peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and external storage devices.

IV) Ethernet: Ethernet port on Raspberry Pi allows for a wired connection to the internet or local network. It supports fast data transfer speeds and is ideal for applications that require a reliable, low-latency connection.

V) Processor: The processor is the brain of the Raspberry Pi and is responsible for executing instructions and performing various computations. The processor on Raspberry Pi is typically an ARM-based processor that is optimized for low power consumption and high performance.

Unit 3: Programming using Python

1 mark

Q. What is the difference between Lists and Tuples? (2022)

Answer:

Point	List	Tuples
Mutability	Lists are mutable.	Tuples are immutable
Performance	Slower than list	Faster
Usage	Used for dynamic collections of items.	Used for static collection of items.
Syntax	Lists are defined using square brackets []	Tuples are defined using parenthesis ()
Example	my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4]	my_tuple = (1, 2, 3, 4)

Q. What is the use of 'time' function? (2022)

 Answer: The time module in Python provides various time-related functions. It is used to measure time elapsed, delay program execution, measure the performance of code, etc.

2.5 mark

Q. Write a short note on GPIO functions. (2022)

Answer: Standard data types used in python are:

Q. Write a short note on standard data types used in python. (2022)

Answer: Standard data types used in python are:

Numbers: Integers, floating-point numbers, and complex numbers are supported in Python. Mathematical operations can be performed on these data types.

Strings: A sequence of characters enclosed in single or double quotes is called a string. Python allows a wide range of string operations, including concatenation, slicing, and formatting.

Lists: A collection of items that can be of different data types is called a list. Lists are mutable, which means they can be modified after creation.

Tuples: A collection of items similar to a list, but tuples are immutable, which means they cannot be modified once created.

Sets: A collection of unique items is called a set. Set data type is mutable and can be modified after creation.

Dictionaries: A collection of key-value pairs is called a dictionary. Each key-value pair in a dictionary is separated by a colon and enclosed in curly braces. Dictionaries are mutable and can be modified after creation.

Q. Write a short note on 'elif' statement. (2022)

Answer: In Python, elif statement is used to test multiple conditions in a program. It is short for "else if".

When an if statement evaluates to False, the program can then check the next elif statement, and if that is also False, it can move on to the next elif statement, and so on. If all the if and elif statements evaluate to False, then the program executes the code in the else block, if it exists.

Here's the basic syntax of elif statement:

        
if condition1:
   # code to execute if condition1 is True
elif condition2:
   # code to execute if condition2 is True
elif condition3:
   # code to execute if condition3 is True
else:
   # code to execute if all conditions are False
        
      

Note that we can have any number of elif statements in between the if and else blocks, depending on how many conditions we need to test.

elif statements are very useful when we want to check multiple conditions in our program and execute different code blocks based on the result of the test.

Q. Write a short note on python dictionary. (2022)

Answer: Python dictionary is an unordered collection of key-value pairs that are enclosed in curly braces {}. Each key-value pair is separated by a comma and a colon.
In a dictionary, the keys must be unique, immutable objects such as numbers, strings or tuples. Values can be of any data type, such as numbers, strings, lists, tuples, or even another dictionary. A key and its associated value make up a single item in a dictionary.
Dictionaries are mutable, which means that their values can be modified after they are created. They are also dynamic, which means that new items can be added to or removed from a dictionary at any time.

Q. Explain the following functions of python. (2022)

-eval(str)

-GPIO.input (channel)

-GPIO-setup (channel, GPIO.OUT)

Answer: 

Answer: 

1) eval(str) is a built-in function in Python that takes a string as an argument and returns the result of evaluating that string as a Python expression. This means that if you pass a string containing a valid Python expression, such as "2 + 2", to the eval() function, it will return the result of that expression as an integer (in this case, 4).

2) GPIO.input(channel) is a function provided by the RPi.GPIO library in Python that allows you to read the current state of a GPIO pin on a Raspberry Pi. The channel parameter specifies which pin to read, and the function returns either GPIO.HIGH or GPIO.LOW depending on whether the pin is currently high or low.

3) GPIO.setup(channel, GPIO.OUT) is another function provided by the RPi.GPIO library that sets up a GPIO pin on a Raspberry Pi for either input or output. The channel parameter specifies which pin to configure, and the second parameter (GPIO.OUT in this case) specifies whether the pin should be used for output (if it's GPIO.OUT) or input (if it's GPIO.IN). This function must be called before you can use a GPIO pin for input or output.

5 mark

Q. List different types of operators used in Python. Explain any three operators in detail. (2022)

Answer: Operators in Python can be classified into the following categories:

Arithmetic Operators, Comparison (Relational) Operators ,Assignment Operators ,Logical Operators, Bitwise Operators, Membership Operators, Identity Operators.

1) Arithmetic Operators:
Arithmetic operators are used to perform mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, modulo, and exponentiation. The arithmetic operators in Python are +, -, *, /, %, and **.

2) Comparison (Relational) Operators:
Comparison operators are used to compare the values on either side of the operator. The comparison operators in Python are ==, !=, >, <, >=, and <=. They return a boolean value either True or False.

3) Assignment Operators:
Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables. The assignment operators in Python are =, +=, -=, *=, /=, %=, and **=. The left operand of the assignment operator is the variable to which the value is assigned, and the right operand is the value to be assigned.

Unit 4: Interfacing of devices using Python Programming

1 mark

Q. Write the use of GSM module. (2022)

Answer: 

2.5 mark

Q. Write python program for LED interfacing to Raspberry pi. (2022)

Answer: