What is Embedded Systems?
Embedded systems, as the name suggests are smart device technologies built into larger devices. The embedded device is not a computer but can perform the assigned task of computing or data manipulation etc. If we look into TVs, Washing machines or even heating ovens, we find some piece of embedded systems at someplace
What makes an Embedded Systems different from a regular PC?
Even though the ES is capable of computation and other jobs done by PC, it is not a complete PC. It may not have a key board, a monitor or even for that matter a processor. The hardware and the OS of the Embedded systems might not be complete, but only the basic functionalities of OS are taken in a real time environment
What components constitutes an Embedded Systems?
The various components of an Embedded system are as per the following
- Hardware
- Real time Operating system (RTOS)
- Processor
- Various ports including Serial port, n/w port, i/o peripheral port
- Sensors and actuators
- Mechanical parts
What components constitutes an Embedded Systems?
- Applications using ES must be reliable, safe and secureHigh efficiency
- High efficiency
- Mostly fixed set of application systems
- Must react after guaranteed time limit
- Most of the functionalities of the ES are implemented in software
What does the software in Embedded System do?
- Respond to external events
- Cope with unusual conditions without human interference
- Carry out multiple jobs at a time
- Replace some of the hardware components
What are the languages used for building the software in ES?
- Usually C/C++ are preferred
- Other languages such as Embedded C++ (EC++), Embedded java etc. are also being used
What are the common micro processors used for ES?
- Zilog Z8 family
- Intel 8051
- X86 family
- X86 family Motorola 68k family
- Power PC family
What is RTOS?
RTOS stands for Real Time Operating System. It is a compact OS with all the essential features of PC operating system. It is the most suited Operating system for Embedded systems. It is the scale down version of the real time OS
What are the debuggers used in testing Embedded systems?
Many tools are used for debugging and testing embedded systems. A few of them are
- Remote debugger: for monitoring and debugging the state of the embedded system software
- In Circuit Simulator: for monitoring and controlling the state of the processor in the embedded systems
- Simulators: used before the design of the Embedded systems and are used to simulate the functioning of the ES on the host machine
- Logic analyzer: used to check the logical level of the various components of the ES
- Oscilloscopes: to checking the analog signal and also for hardware debugging