EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
An embedded system
is a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or
electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints.It is embedded
as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts.
Embedded systems control many devices in common use today.
Examples of properties typical of
embedded computers when compared with general-purpose ones are low power
consumption, small size, rugged operating ranges, and low per-unit cost. This
comes at the price of limited processing resources, which make them
significantly more difficult to program and to interface with. However, by
building intelligence mechanisms on the top of the hardware, taking advantage
of possible existing sensors and the existence of a network of embedded units,
one can both optimally manage available resources at the unit and network
levels as well as provide augmented functionalities, well beyond those
available. For example, intelligent techniques can be designed to manage power
consumption of embedded systems.
Modern embedded systems are
often based on microcontrollers (i.e. CPUs with integrated memory or peripheral
interfaces) but ordinary microprocessors (using external chips for memory and
peripheral interface circuits) are also still common, especially in more
complex systems. In either case, the processor(s) used may be types ranging
from general purpose to those specialised in certain class of computations, or
even custom designed for the application at hand. A common standard class of
dedicated processors is the digital signal processor (DSP).
Since the embedded system
is dedicated to specific tasks, design engineers can optimize it to reduce the
size and cost of the product and increase the reliability and performance. Some
embedded systems are mass-produced, benefiting from economies of scale.
Embedded systems range from portable devices such as digital watches and MP3 players, to large stationary installations like traffic lights, factory controllers, and largely complex systems like hybrid vehicles, MRI, and avionics. Complexity varies from low, with a single microcontroller chip, to very high with multiple units, peripherals and networks mounted inside a large chassis or enclosure.
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