Saturday, November 1, 2008

Defining Embedded Systems

What kind of systems qualify to be an embedded system?

Generally an embedded system contains an 'embedded' controller programmed to execute a single function or several subtasks of a single function. The function also defines specific peripherals.

A calculator is the simplest example for an embedded system. It contains a controller to do the math, a key pad as input and an LCD as the output. The function here is calculation.

Another example is a digital camera. The 'embedded' controller and the 'embedded' logic should be capable of controlling shutter speed to storing images. Latest versions provide for image manipulation as well. The function here is Photography, but is divided into multiple subtasks.

A more popular one is a mobile phone.

We find embedded systems in Video players, TV set top boxes, Air conditioners, Vehicle breaking systems, Medical engineering etc.

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