Introduction
Embedded systems have significantly evolved over the past decade in both capability and complexity. While earlier embedded systems depended solely on LED lights or simple character-based display, now they include graphical displays that determine the entire user interface.
Today, products such as:
- Smart home appliances
- Industrial control panels
- Automotive infotainment systems
- Medical monitoring devices
all rely on responsive and attractive graphical user interfaces.
The reason behind this trend is the increasing significance of Multimedia engineering in embedded systems, in which user interaction, smooth animation, and clarity of graphics are just as important as the program’s functionality. .
Yet, creating GUIs in embedded systems involves certain difficulties. In contrast to desktops or cell phones, embedded systems have severe limitations:
- Limited RAM (often in KBs or a few MBs)
- Restricted Flash storage
- Real-time execution requirements
- Low-power operation
In such an environment, the choice of GUI Stack can become one of the most important decisions to make in terms of performance and scalability.
To solve this issue, Silicon Signals performed a benchmark evaluation of three top-tier embedded GUI systems:
- LVGL
- TouchGFX
- Qt for MCUs
All frameworks were evaluated on the STM32U5G9J-DK2 Discovery Kit using identical workloads to ensure fair and realistic comparisons.
Importance of GUI Stack Selection in Multimedia Engineering
For today’s embedded systems, the Graphical User Interface has transcended its role as merely an aesthetic layer of the device. Instead, it has become an integral part of the system architecture which interfaces directly with various subsystems, thus necessitating careful consideration of the GUI Stacks available. In the field of Multimedia engineering, where complex data, such as video feeds, animated visuals, and real-time visualizations, are processed, the performance of the GUI Stack will affect the overall system’s operation.
An inadequate GUI Stack can have several detrimental effects on the performance of an embedded system. For example, heavy utilization of CPU resources, high memory usage, and inefficiencies in the rendering pipeline could cause poor animation performance, sluggish touch interaction, and higher power consumption – none of which would be acceptable for production-level embedded devices.
On the other hand, when using optimal GUI stacks, frame presentation is seamless, interactions are responsive, and resources are used effectively. As such, embedded devices can remain stable while presenting attractive interfaces. Engineers practicing Multimedia engineering must choose the appropriate GUI stacks for their systems to ensure that both performance and scalability are considered.
Hardware Platform: STM32U5G9J-DK2 Discovery Kit
The benchmark test was carried out using STM32U5G9J-DK2 Discovery Board, which is a very robust evaluation board that can be used for advanced graphics purposes. The board is based on STM32U5 series, which utilizes the ARM Cortex-M33 microcontroller, providing a good combination of power and efficiency.
Key Hardware Specifications
- Processor: ARM Cortex-M33
- Display: 800 × 480 TFT LCD
- Graphics Accelerator: NeoChrom GPU
- Memory Support: External RAM + OctoSPI Flash
- Touch Interface: Capacitive multi-touch
- Connectivity: USB, debugging interfaces
Role of NeoChrom GPU
The most valuable aspect of this system is that it utilizes the NeoChrom GPU, which helps to speed up typical graphic tasks such as:
- Pixel mixing
- Bitmap generation
- Image transformation
- Vector graphics manipulation
With this hardware-based speedup, the CPU requirements are greatly reduced, allowing the modern GUI stacks to perform smooth animation and responsive interfaces using minimalistic microcontroller hardware.
Benchmark Design for Real-World Application Simulation
The benchmarking process was specifically developed to emulate practical usage cases within commercially available embedded devices.
The same application was executed using each of the GUI frameworks, making sure that:
- The performance discrepancies are due to framework alone
- The results depict real-life deployment environment
- Comparison is impartial and unbiased
Workload consisted of three primary types:
- Video Rendering
- 2D Graphics Rendering
- Vector Graphics Rendering
These constitute the basic building blocks of Multimedia engineering.
Test Scenario 1: Video Playback Performance
Workload Characteristics
The video playing test poses quite some stress to the embedded system. The test includes MJPEG decoding, continuous full screen drawing, and fast frame rate update which are all activities that consume considerable bandwidth. GUI stacks are expected to efficiently deal with large amounts of pixels and at the same time synchronize decoding and rendering pipelines.
Performance Factors Evaluated
In the test of this kind, there is a need to determine how efficient the stacks are at managing buffers, utilizing direct memory access, and ensuring consistent throughput from the memory. Consistency in frame drops should be observed since this determines the efficiency of rendering multimedia engineering components.
Engineering Insight
For instance, the application of GUI Stacks in fields like security, infotainment, and intelligent user interfaces requires that there be smooth streaming of videos. This calls for the creation of GUI Stacks with efficient methods of data transfer and synchronization, together with appropriate hardware acceleration techniques.
Test Scenario 2: 2D Graphics and UI Animations
Workload Characteristics
The scenario focuses on typical graphically based tasks executed on embedded devices, such as rotating images, animating widgets, transitioning between screens, and drawing bitmaps. Such operations are at the core of most GUI stacks utilized in Multimedia engineering scenarios where constant user interaction is necessary.
What It Evaluates
The test evaluates the efficiency of rendering pipelines, GPU offloading techniques, animation performance, and general UI responsiveness. GUI stacks that make effective use of hardware acceleration have higher potential to provide smooth transitions and low latency, critical features for achieving good user experience in Multimedia engineering projects.
Real-World Relevance
Graphical operations similar to those described above have many applications in industrial HMIs, automotive displays, and smart home appliances. Multimedia engineering is integral to the process of making sure that GUI stacks are sufficiently efficient and interactive enough to provide good user experience.
Test Scenario 3: Vector Graphics Rendering
Workload Characteristics
Modern-day GUI design uses vector graphics for their ability to scale and store efficiently.
This involves SVG renderings, path-based animations, scalable vector graphics, and other operations that are required when creating the advanced GUI Stack used in Multimedia engineering.
Advantages and Challenges
The vector graphic approach provides a number of advantages such as independent resolution, storage efficiency, and clarity. Nevertheless, it increases computational complexity and requires more computing power, which makes it difficult to integrate on MCU devices. The GUI Stack needs to maintain a balance between performance and clarity when using vector graphics.
Performance Evaluation Insight
This test shows how efficiently each GUI stack handles rendering operations on limited resources. In Multimedia engineering, it is essential to handle vector graphics efficiently to offer modern UIs that scale well without affecting system performance.
Performance Metrics and Their Importance
CPU Load (%)
The CPU load measures the processing power used when rendering. In the field of Multimedia engineering, minimizing the use of CPU capacity is important because it helps the computer dedicate its resources to other vital functions such as sensors, communication systems, and control loops. An efficient GUI Stack reduces CPU requirements through the use of hardware acceleration wherever possible.
RAM Usage
RAM consumption refers to the memory usage of the GUI stacks. Because the embedded system operates with limited memory space, it is important to optimize RAM consumption. In the field of Multimedia engineering, graphics files and frames take up a lot of memory space.
Flash Usage
Flash use is categorized into internal flash consisting of codes and frameworks and external flash that holds media assets like images, fonts, and animations. It is essential to understand flash requirements for designing GUI Stacks that will be able to deliver highly complex Multimedia engineering applications without reaching the limits of the available hardware.
Rendering Time
The rendering time describes how fast a particular frame will be processed and displayed. Reduced rendering times are critical for ensuring that the animation and UI response times are faster and hence guaranteeing high-performance GUIs when it comes to Multimedia engineering.
Frames Per Second (FPS)
FPS describes the speed of interaction between the user and GUI interface. Although 30 FPS may suffice, attaining an optimal rate of 60 FPS is desirable. FPS in Multimedia engineering is an essential indicator of performance and usability.
GUI Stack Comparative Analysis
LVGL: Lightweight and Flexible
LVGL is a very efficient open-source platform that is best suited for embedded environments. LVGL is characterized by low memory usage, high portability, and flexibility in architecture. For that reason, it can be recommended for engineers designing Multimedia engineering solutions. GUI stacks constructed using LVGL are the most appropriate for systems that prioritize customization and efficiency.
TouchGFX: Optimized for STM32
TouchGFX is a platform that is developed and optimized for use with STM32 microcontrollers. The platform supports hardware acceleration, UI designer tool, and optimized drivers. As such, it ranks among the most efficient GUI Stacks that can be used for STM32-based Multimedia engineering projects.
Qt for MCUs: Scalable and Modern
The Qt Framework for MCUs allows users to integrate the Qt framework into embedded platforms. Using Qt for MCUs, engineers can create modern user interfaces through the QML language. In addition, it supports animation and scalability, which makes it appropriate for designing complex Multimedia engineering solutions.
Open Source Benchmark Repositories
To ensure transparency and reproducibility, Silicon Signals has made all benchmark projects publicly available:
• TouchGFX Benchmark
https://github.com/Silicon-Signals/stm32u5g9j-dk2-touchgfx-benchmark.git
• LVGL Benchmark
https://github.com/Silicon-Signals/stm32u5g9j-dk2-lvgl-benchmark.git
• Qt for MCUs Benchmark
https://github.com/Silicon-Signals/stm32u5g9j-dk2-qt-benchmark.git
These repositories include:
- Source code
- Build instructions
- Configuration files
- Demo applications
Struggling to get consistent image quality from your camera pipeline?
Key Takeaways for Embedded Engineers
1. Hardware Acceleration Is Essential
Utilizing GPU acceleration significantly improves:
- Rendering performance
- CPU efficiency
- Animation smoothness
2. Memory Optimization Drives System Stability
Efficient memory management is critical for:
- Scalability
- Performance consistency
- Cost optimization
3. Tooling and Ecosystem Matter
Development productivity depends on:
- UI design tools
- Debugging support
- Community resources
4. Framework Selection Depends on
There is no universal solution. The choice depends on:
- Hardware platform
- Application complexity
- Team expertise
Role of Multimedia Engineering in Future Embedded Systems
Multimedia engineering is now becoming the hallmark of the development of embedded systems, where these embedded systems change their role from merely being functional to becoming an experience platform. Today’s applications, such as home automation control interfaces, industry HMI systems, vehicle dashboard systems, and even medical devices, require multimedia support for graphics, videos, sound, and interactive user interfaces. With such demands, embedded engineers must evolve beyond the conventional designs and opt for the latest graphical user interface stacks.
Multimedia engineering will be essential in future embedded systems for delivering high-performance rendering under resource-constrained conditions. Through the aid of hardware acceleration provided by GPUs and optimal pipeline processing of display components, microcontrollers will be able to manage animations, videos, and vector drawings very well. This, apart from improving interaction between users and devices, will make them more accessible and user-friendly.
Furthermore, with the increasing intelligence of edge devices, incorporation of AI into multimedia processing will allow even more advanced capabilities to be included in interfaces, such as adaptive user interface design, gesture recognition, and intelligent visualizations. In summary, Multimedia engineering will ensure the gap between hardware and user demands is bridged through effective designs.
Conclusion
The current trend in embedded systems has gone beyond simple capabilities with a graphical user interface becoming an essential component of any modern product design. The increased need for intuitive, responsive, and visually appealing user interfaces is driving this development across multiple sectors.
It is evident from the benchmark conducted on the STM32U5G9J-DK2 Discovery Kit that GUI Stacks like LVGL, TouchGFX, and Qt for MCUs offer high-performing solutions despite being deployed in microcontroller environments.
While LVGL is known for its lightweight applications, TouchGFX takes advantage of hardware-specific optimization for better performance, while Qt for MCUs makes modern user interface designs possible in microcontrollers.
Multimedia engineering believes hardware acceleration, memory management, and selecting the proper framework are crucial in ensuring that there is no hick-up when it comes to achieving smooth rendering and UI performance.
At Silicon Signals, we allow corporations to take the right decision in order to ensure customized multimedia engineering and embedded UI development.
