PIC microcontrollers ( Programmable Interface Controllers), are electronic circuits that can be programmed to carry out a vast range of tasks. They can be programmed to be timers or to control a production line and much more. They are found in most electronic devices such as alarm systems, computer control systems, phones, in fact almost any electronic device. Many types of PIC microcontrollers exist, although the best are probably found in the GENIE range of programmable microcontrollers. These are programmed and simulated by Circuit Wizard software.
PIC Microcontrollers are relatively cheap and can be bought as pre-built circuits or as kits that can be assembled by the user

When the program has been simulated and works, it is downloaded to the PIC microcontroller circuit. The USB lead can be disconnected and the microcontroller circuit can be used independently. The diagram below, shows a GENIE Project Board being programmed by Circuit Wizard software (recommended software for programming microcontroller circuits).

Completely upgraded, re-engineered
Faster, more powerfu

Dual displays (4K output)

We’ve listened to your feedback: with Raspberry Pi 4, you can run two monitors at once — and in 4K, too!

Your new desktop computer

The speed and performance of the new Raspberry Pi 4 is a step up from earlier models. For the first time, we’ve built a complete desktop experience. Whether you’re editing documents, browsing the web with a bunch of tabs open, juggling spreadsheets or drafting a presentation, you’ll find the experience smooth and very recognisable — but on a smaller, more energy-efficient and much more cost-effective machine.

• This board is your entry to the unique Arduino experience: great for learning the basics of how sensors and actuators work, and an essential tool for your rapid prototyping needs
• Arduino UNO Rev3 is the most used and documented board in the world
• “Uno” means one in Italian and was chosen to mark the release of Arduino Software (IDE) 1.0, now evolved to newer releases
• It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz quartz crystal, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header and a reset button
• Arduino is an open-source hardware, software, and content platform with a worldwide community of over 30 million active users.

Arduino is an open-source hardware and software company, project, and user community that designs and manufactures single-board microcontrollers and microcontroller kits for building digital devices.

Within the scope of this book, a variety of architectural structures are used to introduce
technical concepts and fundamentals of an embedded system. I also introduce emerging
architectural tools (i.e., reference models) used as the foundation for these architectural structures.
At the highest level, the primary architectural tool used to introduce the major elements
located within an embedded system design is what I will refer to as the Embedded Systems
Model, shown in Figure 1-2.

What the Embedded Systems Model indicates is that all embedded systems share one similarity
at the highest level; that is, they all have at least one layer (hardware) or all layers
(hardware, system software and application software) into which all components fall. The
hardware layer contains all the major physical components located on an embedded board,
whereas the system and application software layers contain all of the software located on and
being processed by the embedded system.
This reference model is essentially a layered (modular) representation of an embedded
systems architecture from which a modular architectural structure can be derived. Regardless
of the differences between the devices shown in Table 1-1, it is possible to understand
the architecture of all of these systems by visualizing and grouping the components within
these devices as layers. While the concept of layering isn’t unique to embedded system
design (architectures are relevant to all computer systems, and an embedded system is a type

of computer system), it is a useful tool in visualizing the possible combinations of hundreds,
if not thousands, of hardware and software components that can be used in designing an
embedded system. In general, I selected this modular representation of embedded systems
architecture as the primary structure for this book for two main reasons:

1. The visual representation of the main elements and their associated functions. The
   layered approach allows readers to visualize the various components of an embedded
   system and their interrelationship.
2. Modular architectural representations are typically the structures leveraged to
   structure the entire embedded project. This is mainly because the various modules
   (elements) within this type of structure are usually functionally independent. These
   elements also have a higher degree of interaction, thus separating these types of elements
   into layers improves the structural organization of the system without the risk
   of oversimplifying complex interactions or overlooking required functionality.