Examples of Embedded Systems
Embedded systems are specialized computing systems designed to perform specific functions within a larger mechanical or electrical system. Examples of embedded systems include microcontrollers in household appliances, automotive control systems, industrial automation, and medical devices. These systems are typically optimized for low power consumption, real-time operation, and reliability.
6 Key excerpts on "Examples of Embedded Systems"
eBook - ePubSoftware Engineering for Embedded Systems
Methods, Practical Techniques, and Applications
- Robert Oshana, Mark Kraeling, Robert Oshana, Mark Kraeling(Authors)
- 2019(Publication Date)
- Newnes(Publisher)
...In some cases, embedded systems are part of a larger system or product, as in the case of an antilock braking system in a car.” Many definitions exist, but in this book we will proceed with the definition outlined in the following text. An embedded system is a specialized computer system that is usually integrated as part of a larger system. An embedded system consists of a combination of hardware and software components to form a computational engine that will perform a specific function. Unlike desktop systems which are designed to perform a general function, embedded systems are constrained in their application. Embedded systems often perform in reactive and time-constrained environments. A rough partitioning of an embedded system consists of the hardware which provides the performance necessary for the application (and other system properties like security) and the software which provides most of the features and flexibility in the system. A typical embedded system is shown in Fig. 5. • Processor core. At the heart of the embedded system is the processor core(s). This can be a simple inexpensive 8-bit microcontroller or a more complex 32-bit or 64-bit microprocessor or can even be comprised of multiple processors. The embedded designer must select the most cost sensitive device for the application that can meet all the functional and nonfunctional (timing) requirements. • Analog I/O. D/A and A/D converters are used to get data from the environment and back out to the environment. The embedded designer must understand the type of data required from the environment, the accuracy requirements for that data, and the input/output data rates in order to select the right converters for the application. The external environment drives the reactive nature of the embedded system. Embedded systems must be at least fast enough to keep up with the environment...
eBook - ePubDesigning Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers
Principles and Applications
- Tim Wilmshurst(Author)
- 2006(Publication Date)
- Newnes(Publisher)
...An embedded system can be defined as [ Ref. 1.1 ]: A system whose principal function is not computational, but which is controlled by a computer embedded within it. These days embedded systems are everywhere, appearing in the home, office, factory, car or hospital. Table 1.1 lists some example products that are likely to be embedded systems, all chosen for their familiarity. While many of these examples seem very different from each other, they all draw on the same principles as far as their characteristics as embedded systems are concerned. TABLE 1.1 Some familiar Examples of Embedded Systems Home Office and commerce Motor car Washing machine Photocopier Door mechanism Fridge Checkout machine Climate control Burglar alarm Printer Brakes Microwave Scanner Engine control Central heating controller In-car entertainment Toys and games The vast majority of users will not recognise that what they are using is controlled by one or more embedded computers. Indeed, if they ever saw the controlling computer they would barely recognise it as such. Most people, after all, recognise computers by their screen, keyboard, disc drives and so on. These embedded computers would have none of those. 1.2 Some example embedded systems Let's take a look at some example embedded systems, first from everyday life and then from the projects used to illustrate this book. 1.2.1 The domestic refrigerator A simple domestic refrigerator is shown in Figure 1.1. It needs to maintain a moderately stable, low internal temperature. It does this by sensing its internal temperature and comparing it with the temperature required. It lowers the temperature by switching on a compressor. The temperature measurement requires one or more sensors, and then whatever signal conditioning and data acquisition circuitry that is needed. Some sort of data processing is required to compare the signal representing the measured temperature to that representing the required temperature and deduce an output...
- Nilanjan Dey, Amartya Mukherjee(Authors)
- 2018(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...2 Basics of Embedded Systems 2.1 Introduction Today, we are in an era of smart devices as embedded technology is involved in various applications that we use in our daily life by the virtue of microprocessors and microcontrollers. The system might consist of only electronic or electromechanical devices. Since this work is concerned with the application of these technologies, we mainly focus our discussion on several microcontrollers and the embedded system development environments. An embedded system might be a real-time system that performs mission- critical tasks. Most embedded systems are based on sensors and output actuators. A sensor typically examines the behavior of the outside world and sends the information to an embedded microcontroller system. It is typically either digital or analog in nature. An analog sensor sends a voltage level corresponding to the sensed data value, whereas a digital sensor sends a digital pulse-width modulation (PWM) or pulse-position modulation (PPM) pulse corresponding to the sensed value. An actuator can be considered as an output device that responds to the behavior sensed by the sensor device. It may typically be a manipulator, a robotic arm, or a relay-based device that performs a real-time task based on the given sensor data. 2.2 Classifications of Embedded Systems Typically, embedded devices can be categorized into several classes. Such classifications are based on the processing power, cost, functionality, and architecture. The typical classifications are as follows. 1. Small-scale embedded system : A small-scale embedded system is mostly based on either 8- or 16-bit architecture. It generally runs on 5 V battery power, having limited processing power and memory. It commonly uses small-size flash memory or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) to store programs and instructions. The system itself is less complicated than other high-end systems...
eBook - ePubMicrocontroller Prototypes with Arduino and a 3D Printer
Learn, Program, Manufacture
- Dimosthenis E. Bolanakis(Author)
- 2021(Publication Date)
- Wiley(Publisher)
...In consideration of the reader who is introduced to a field of study that does not necessarily fall within his/her area of expertise, the term is primarily addressed as follows. Embedded computers encompass any electronic device (contained in a hardware system) that can be programmed (with some kind of code) to carry out some computing. By definition, the process of developing programming code for an electronic device draws one's attention to an interdisciplinary task between the disciplines of CS and EE. Figure 1.1 distinguishes five categories of embedded computers, in terms of the tasks that are more closely linked with the discipline of either CS or EE. To understand the position that each type of embedded computer holds on the proposed scheme, it is important to make reference to the basic features of conventional computer programming (which is originally rooted to CS). Computer vs. Embedded Computer Programming and Application Development The application software that is designed by a computer scientist or engineer to run on a personal computer interacts with the computer hardware through a system software known as the operating system (OS). The programming language used by the developer who builds custom‐designed software incorporates utilities that are considered part of the OS. This set is referred to as the application programming interface (API) and encrypts the underlying hardware operations from the developer. For instance, the API in C programming language is declared in the header files, such as the “stdio.h,” which embeds input and output functions. Hence, the developer learns how to exploit functions in order to input/output (IO) data to/from the computer system. Starting with the design of the simplest application, students are introduced to functions and syntax rules toward inputting/outputting data from/to the outside world...
eBook - ePubMedical Instrumentation
Application and Design
- John G. Webster, Amit J. Nimunkar, John G. Webster, Amit J. Nimunkar(Authors)
- 2020(Publication Date)
- Wiley(Publisher)
...The peripherals can include general‐purpose input/output (GPIO), timers, counters, analog‐to‐digital conversion, digital‐to‐analog conversion, serial ports, and other such systems. Thus, it distinguishes itself from a microprocessor and it is also referred to as a “system on a chip (SoC)” (Predko, 1998). We discuss some of these components in the following section with an example of a simple embedded system. Figure 3.1 General block diagram of a microcontroller. 3.2 EMBEDDED MEDICAL SYSTEM As described in Chapter 1 (Figure 1.1), a generalized instrumentation system consists of a sensor to convert energy or information to an electric form. This electric signal is further preprocessed by analog circuitry with appropriate gain and filtering. Along with removing noise and amplifying the signal of interest, the analog circuitry should offer long‐term stability with regards to offset drift and gain, over time, and temperature. Figure 3.2 shows forms of embedded systems for data acquisition, processing, storage, display, transmission, data analytics, and feedback. Figure 3.2 General block diagram for embedded medical system. (Adapted from Texas Instruments, HealthTech Applications Guide, HealthTech Overview, 2013. Courtesy of Texas Instruments Incorporated.) The data acquisition and feedback are facilitated using an analog‐to‐digital converter (ADC) and a digital‐to‐analog converter (DAC), respectively. These converters should provide high precision and accuracy, wide dynamic range, and appropriate resolution for the measurement under consideration. The embedded system is the most important feature of the medical device and could be considered as the brain of the device. It should not only provide functions including data acquisition, mathematical calculations, signal processing, data storage, communication, and display, but it should also provide accurate, reliable, responsive, and safe operation of the device...
- Robert Oshana(Author)
- 2006(Publication Date)
- Newnes(Publisher)
...3 Overview of Embedded Systems Development Life Cycle Using DSP Embedded Systems As mentioned earlier, an embedded system is a specialized computer system that is integrated as part of a larger system. Many embedded systems are implemented using digital signal processors. The DSP will interface with the other embedded components to perform a specific function. The specific embedded application will determine the specific DSP to be used. For example, if the embedded application is one that performs video processing, the system designer may choose a DSP that is customized to perform media processing, including video and audio processing. An example of an application specific DSP for this function is shown in Figure 3.1. This device contains dual channel video ports that are software configurable for input or output, as well as video filtering and automatic horizontal scaling and support of various digital TV formats such as HDTV, multichannel audio serial ports, multiple stereo lines, and an Ethernet peripheral to connect to IP packet networks. It is obvious that the choice of a DSP “system” depends on the embedded application. Figure 3.1 Example of a DSP-based “system” for embedded video applications In this chapter we will discuss the basic steps to develop an embedded application using DSP. The Embedded System Life Cycle Using DSP In this section we will overview the general embedded system life cycle using DSP. There are many steps involved in developing an embedded system—some are similar to other system development activities and some are unique. We will step through the basic process of embedded system development, focusing on DSP applications. Step 1—Examine the Overall Needs of the System Choosing a design solution is a difficult process. Often the choice comes down to emotion or attachment to a particular vendor or processor, inertia based on prior projects and comfort level...
