Whether you know it or not, you have come across embedded systems. They play a vital role in our daily lives when we don’t always notice them. They are integrated into various devices. Your smartphone, your household appliances and products in manufacturing and healthcare equipment depend on embedded systems.
Generally, an embedded system combines various hardware and software solutions to achieve various tasks for a achieve efficiency and reliability. It is crucial to understand its definition and how it affects our daily lives – a topic that we shall focus on today.
What is an Embedded System?
We can simply define embedded systems as a combination of computer hardware and software created to achieve a certain purpose inside a larger system. They are the opposite of general-purpose computers, which are designed to perform various tasks. Embedded systems are customized to deliver specific functions for more efficiency.
A single embedded system consists of several components assigned to the execution of selected tasks. The main components include microprocessors, memory units, input/output devices, sensors and actuators.
Embedded software development experts view the processors as the brains of the system. They execute various tasks and data processing. Memory units, as the name suggests store the program instructions and information required for the system to operate. Input and output devices are specially designed for communication between the systems and the external world. Sensors ensure interaction with the physical environment.
Types of Embedded Devices
To better understand embedded software solutions, we can look at some of the common devices where you can find them. We can break them into four main categories based on need.
➣ Real-time embedded systems (e.g a computer sound system, an aircraft control system)
The first and perhaps most common example is the real-time embedded systems. These are designed and installed to deliver specific functions within a set time limit. In this category, you will find soft real-time embedded systems and hard real-time embedded systems. For soft real-time embedded systems, the completion of tasks is of crucial importance, but deadline is not a matter. For hard real-time embedded systems, deadlines are a priority.
➣ Standalone (e.g, microwave ovens, washing machines, video game consoles)
Standalone systems, as the name suggests, are self-sufficient systems that don’t rely on other systems like processors or computers to function. They can perform their tasks efficiently even without interaction from external systems. Game app developers leverage C++ technology to build video game consoles, enabling them to function as standalone embedded systems that deliver high-performance gaming experiences without relying on external computing resources
➣ Networked (e.g ATMs, home security systems)
Networked systems are connected to wired or wireless networks to function. They rely on such connections to provide output to the connected devices feature controllers and sensors.
➣ Mobile (digital cameras, smartphones, fitness trackers)
The most common embedded systems are mobile. These are smaller-sized and easy-to-use devices. They feature limited memory, but that does not hinder people from preferring them as they are more portable and handy.
Features of Embedded Systems
You can better understand embedded systems when you know their features. Here are the main ones:
SFF (Small Form Factor): these are small rugged enclosures in PCB designs carrying robust power. They offer great space efficiency.
Power-efficiency components: Your mobile devices will feature a processor that lowers the thermal design power, minimizing cooling and removing the need for fans and moving components. This is a power-efficiency component.
Single-functioned components: these are systems created to perform a specified function in their lifetime.
In addition to the characteristic, embedded systems don’t have expansion slots for peripherals, making them lower cost than full-featured computers. They are also less complex.
Embedded systems are running the world today. From a C++ development company hiring developers to create the devices for the end user, we are all connected to this technology. The global computing market of these systems was valued at $36,743M in 2020 and is projected to reach $85,685.7 by 2030. Now that you understand what they are, we can now look at how they affect your life.
➣ From the time you wake up
You will start interacting with embedded systems from the time you wake up in the morning. Look at your home security and alarm system that you safe for instance. A complex system of this nature will have sensors to detect a problem, a microcontroller to process the information and an output system to sound the alarm. You can thank your system for helping you to sleep well.
You have a thermostat that you program to a particular temperature in your house. They have sensors that work with embedded systems to activate or deactivate certain systems in your home. And before you leave, you put on a clean and fresh cloth, thanks to the embedded systems in your laundry machine.
➣ Outdoors
When you step out of your house, you will probably get into your car, which is full of embedded systems. There are sensors that monitor fuel levels and display in real time how much gas you have. Also, the vehicle has different lights to indicate specific applications – all connected to embedded systems.
For your safety, the airbag in your car is controlled by an accelerometer, a special sensor that jumps into action with rapid changes that happen during a collision. This saves you from a fatal outcome. Even the traffic lights are controlled by embedded systems.
➣ Fun and hobbies
We have so many technologies for fun and hobbies that are connected to embedded systems. For instance, you use a digital camera to capture special moments. In this device are systems that capture the data, store the data and represent the data. Modern cameras are so advanced that they can detect people and faces; eyes are specific aspects of an image. This is how you are able to edit your image to perfection.
Embedded systems are, without a doubt, a technology that runs the world today. Companies spend a lot of money hiring C++ development services and other experts to work on devices with these systems because they understand their values. These systems have made computers more portable, accessible and easier to use.
From the central heating system in your home to the GPS system in your car to the fitness tracker for monitoring personal activity, to medical devices like the pacemaker, embedded systems are everywhere. Check your automotive system, the fare collection system in the metro; withdraw money from your ATM or use factory robots in fire assembly – they are all embedded systems. You can only enjoy using them to improve your life.
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