Embedded Systems Interview Questions | Updated 2019 TIB Academy

1. What is embedded system in a computer?

An embedded system is a computer that is part of an immense system or machine. A system with a dedicated function within a massive electrical or mechanical system.

2. Mention what are the essential components of embedded system?

Hardware

Processor

Memory

Timers

I/O circuits

System application specific circuits
Software

It ensures the availability of System Memory

It checks the Processor Speed availability

The need to limit power lost when running the system continuously
Real Time Operating System

It runs a process as per scheduling and do the switching from one process to another

3. Why embedded system is useful?

With embedded system, it is possible to replace dozens or even more of hardware logic gates, input buffers, timing circuits, output drivers, etc. with a relatively cheap microprocessor.

4. What are real-time embedded systems?

Real-time embedded systems are computer systems that monitor, respond or control an external environment. This environment is connected to the computer system through actuators, sensors, and other input-output interfaces.

5. What is microcontroller?

The microcontroller is a self-contained system with peripherals, memory and a processor that can be used as embedded system.

6. What does DMA address will deal with?

DMA address deals with physical addresses. It is a device which directly drives the data and address bus during data transfer. So, it is purely physical address.

7. What is interrupt latency? How can you reduce it?

Interrupt latency is a time taken to return from the interrupt service routine post handling a specific interrupt. By writing minor ISR routines, interrupt latency can be reduced.

8. List out various uses of timers in embedded system?

Timers in embedded system are used in multiple ways

Real Time Clock (RTC) for the system

Initiating an event after a preset time delay

Initiating an even after a comparison of preset times

Capturing the count value in timer on an event

Between two events finding the time interval

Time slicing for various tasks

Time division multiplexing

Scheduling of various tasks in RTOS

9. What is a Watchdog Timer?

A watchdog timer is an electronic device or electronic card that execute specific operation after certain time period if something goes wrong with an electronic system.

10. What is the need for an infinite loop in embedded systems?

Embedded systems require infinite loops for repeatedly processing or monitoring the state of the program. For instance, the case of a program state continuously being verified for any exceptional errors that might just happen during run-time such as memory outage or divide by zero, etc.

11. List out some of the commonly found errors in Embedded Systems?

Some of the commonly found errors in embedded systems are

Damage of memory devices static discharges and transient current.

Address line malfunctioning due to a short in circuit.

Data lines malfunctioning.

Due to garbage or errors some memory locations being inaccessible in storage.

Inappropriate insertion of memory devices into the memory slots.

Wrong control signals.

12. What is semaphore?

A semaphore is an abstract datatype or variable that is used for controlling access, by multiple processes to a common resource in a concurrent system such as multiprogramming operating system.
Semaphores are commonly used for two purposes

To share a common memory space

To share access to files

13. When one must use recursion function? Mention what happens when recursion functions are declared inline?

Recursion function can be used when you are aware of the number of recursive calls is not excessive. Inline functions property says whenever it will call, it will copy the complete definition of that function. Recursive function declared as inline creates the burden on the compilers execution.

14. Explain whether we can use semaphore or mutex or spinlock in interrupt context in Linux Kernel?

Semaphore or Mutex cannot be used for interrupt context in Linux Kernel. While spinlocks can be used for locking in interrupt context.

15. Mention what are buses used for communication in embedded system?

For embedded system, the buses used for communication includes

I2C: It is used for communication between multiple ICs

CAN: It is used in automobiles with centrally controlled network

USB: It is used for communication between CPU and devices like mouse, etc.

Important Embedded Systems Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is embedded system in a computer?

2. Mention what are the essential components of embedded system?

3. Why embedded system is useful?

4. What are real-time embedded systems?

5. What is microcontroller?

6. What does DMA address will deal with?

7. What is interrupt latency? How can you reduce it?

8. List out various uses of timers in embedded system?

9. What is a Watchdog Timer?

10. What is the need for an infinite loop in embedded systems?

11. List out some of the commonly found errors in Embedded Systems?

12. What is semaphore?

13. When one must use recursion function? Mention what happens when recursion functions are declared inline?

14. Explain whether we can use semaphore or mutex or spinlock in interrupt context in Linux Kernel?

15. Mention what are buses used for communication in embedded system?

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