Embedded System

Pablo, Ethyl Marie L. Embedded System Embedded system is a microprocessor-based system that is incorporated into a device to monitor and control the functions of the components of the device. Embedded systems are (inexpensive) mass produced elements of a larger system providing a dedicated, possibly time constrained, and service to that system. Embedded systems are computing systems with tightly coupled hardware and software integration. Designed to perform dedicated function Embedded means that the system is an integral part of a larger system Multiple embedded systems can co-exist in a single system. Hardware and software co-design: hardware and software for the embedded system are developed in parallel. Software storage will have to be chosen to allow for upgradeability. Cross-platform development: Both embedded system and its application use the crossplatform development method. o Software is developed on one platform but runs on another. Embedded System Characteristics Often mass products o 98% of the processors are in ES o Sometimes very specialized systems No or minimal user interface Resource constraints Must usually fulll strict timing Usually runs forever (no reboot) Embedded systems are designed to do some specific task, rather than be a general-purpose computer for multiple tasks. Some also have real-time performance constraints that must be met, for reasons such as safety and usability; others may have low or no performance requirements, allowing the system hardware to be simplified to reduce costs. Embedded systems are not always standalone devices. Many embedded systems consist of small, computerized parts within a larger device that serves a more general purpose. For example, the Gibson Robot Guitar features an embedded system for tuning the strings, but the overall purpose of the Robot Guitar is, of course, to play music. Similarly, an embedded system in an automobile provides a specific function as a subsystem of the car itself. The program instructions written for embedded systems are referred to as firmware, and are stored in read-only memory or Flash memory chips. They run with limited computer hardware resources: little memory, small or non-existent keyboard and/or screen.

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General-purpose computer Refers to computers that follow instructions, thus virtually all computers from micro to mainframe are general purpose. Even computers in toys, games and single-function devices follow instructions in their built-in program. In contrast, computational devices can be designed from scratch for special purposes A device that manipulates data without detailed, step-by step control by human hand and is designed to be used for many different types of problems. a digital computer that is used to solve a wide range of scientific and technical, economic, and other problems, such as the design of complex engineering structures, the computation of spacecraft flight trajectories, and the calculation of payrolls. In contrast to a specialpurpose computer, a general-purpose computer is not designed to solve any particular problem. A general-purpose computer is characterized by a large memory that is organized according to the hierarchical principle, a well-developed man/machine interface, and branching operations. Differentiate Embedded vs. General-purpose General purpose processor are typically not aware of the applications while an embedded processor is application-aware.

References: http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/General-Purpose+Computer http://www.discussionsworld.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=42604&SID=cd4d3a8ce63a3d636599ezf 4c5e6b15c&PID=99210#99210 http://www.ias.ac.in/resonance/Dec2002/pdf/Dec2002p20-30 http://www.jopdesign.com/teaching/EmbeddedIntro.pdf http://www.tik.ee.ethz.ch/education/lectures/ES/slides/1_Introduction.pdf