(updated 14/09/2014)
After knew the definition of embedded system, we can step forward to see the characteristics of embedded system. In case this is your first visit to this blog, please consider to see the previous articles: the definition of embedded system and visual contact with embedded system as background.
Ok, let's back to the topic of this article. These are some characteristics of embedded system.
Characteristic #1 - A combination of hardware and software
This is the current characteristic of embedded system and as result of the advance of science and technology. In the past, embedded system, as other computing systems, is build totally from hardware. But today, some parts of the hardware have been replaced by software. Software also adds intelligence into embedded system, such as in current smart devices.
Characteristic #2 - Limited time
Embedded system works almost in real time. It means that embedded system processes input information and deliver the output as fast as possible. Of course there is time delay between input and output. But the delay is quite small and usually has maximum time limit.
To be able to work in this limited time delay, embedded system only processes certain information which is not too complex for it. But again, this complexity grows with the advance of science and technology. More and more complex information now can be processed by embedded system within its time limitation.
Characteristic #3 - Limited power
Sometimes embedded system works in environment where power source is not always available, such as in remote devices, portable devices and mobile devices. In this condition, embedded system will sleep to conserve its power as long as possible, works only as needed and using power as minimum as possible.
Characteristic #4 - Limited space
Embedded system used in small or portable devices has limited space that shared with other components inside. In this case, the design of embedded system uses either less number or smaller size of hardware. The hardware embedded system could have most functions needed by this device or could be shared between hardware and software of embedded system.
Characteristic #5 - Limited functions
Embedded system virtually can be used for any purpose. But with any limits which are available in implementation, it is then only used for specific purpose. To do this, embedded system only uses limited number of functions which are enough for its purpose.
Showing posts with label Embedded System. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Embedded System. Show all posts
Visual Contact With Embedded System
Have you ever seen any embedded system? If you haven't, all pictures below would help you comprehend the embedded system.
1. Minimum System 8031 Board by El-Tech Electronics
This is an old development board for Intel microcontroller 8031. It contains microcontroller, EPROM, RAM, Parallel interface and Serial data communication.
1. Minimum System 8031 Board by El-Tech Electronics
This is an old development board for Intel microcontroller 8031. It contains microcontroller, EPROM, RAM, Parallel interface and Serial data communication.
2. Servomotor Controller Module by Yasakawa
This module is made by Yasakawa and used to control AC motor in industries. It contains microcontroller, Flash ROM, RAM and Serial data communication.
3. Printer Controller Board by Epson
This is a controller board inside Epson C58 inkjet printer. At top side of the board, you can see ROM, amplifier and motor driver ICs. Also there are parallel and USB connectors for data communication. The microcontroller is located at bottom side of the board (not shown).
4. Hard Disk Controller Board by Seagate
This is a controller board on a hard disk manufactured by Seagate. There are main controller, motor controller and parallel ATA interface at the board.
Embedded System
(updated 29/03/2014)
What is Embedded System anyway? A quick answer is from wikipedia:
I think this definition doesn't enough to describe what embedded system is. Embedded system doesn't always within a larger mechanical or electrical system. For example a digital watch is an embedded system but not part of any mechanical or electrical system. A handphone (or cellphone) is also an embedded system but has multiple functions which can be added or removed (in terms of software) and also not part of either mechanical nor electrical system.
Other definition of embedded system comes from Bjärnemyr & Dahlberg:
This definition describes an example of embedded system application. Embedded system could be used in control system and becomes part of that. But as described above, it doesn't always be part of another larger system.
This definition also describes embedded system as a combination of hardware and software. The terms embedded hardware and embedded software are used to refer hardware and software respectively. In the past, all computing systems were made by hardware. But with the advance of science and technology, some parts of hardware then were replaced by software as seen today.
Other definition comes from Wolf. He agrees that embedded system is a combination of hardware and software where software is the programmable part. He describes embedded system as:
Other interesting definition comes from Geoffrey Bessin, a staff at IBM Rational:
This definition comes from technical perspective of software development. But as described in the last two definitions, embedded system is not only a software but a combination of hardware and software system. The interesting part of this definition is the introduction of two platforms in embedded software development. They are platforms for design and platforms for deploy embedded software.
The platform for deploy embedded software is what called as embedded hardware. There are many variations of embedded hardware which depend on the purpose of embedded system. The embedded software design usually follows the hardware platform. That is why there is a close relation between embedded hardware and software.
The commonly used platform today to design embedded software is PC. The embedded designers use some applications in PC to design, develop and test either embedded hardware or software before deploy the results into embedded hardware.
For me, the definition of embedded system is:
The keyword to describe embedded system should be constraint. Embedded system always has one or more constraint, such as time, power, space, price, function or others. A digital watch for example has time, power, space and price constraints. A handphone has power, space and (probably) price constraints. A controller in factory has space and precision constraints. Because of the constraint, embedded system is used in specific application and hence is specifically designed.
What is Embedded System
What is Embedded System anyway? A quick answer is from wikipedia:
"An embedded system is a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal computer (PC), is designed to be flexible and to meet a wide range of end-user needs."
I think this definition doesn't enough to describe what embedded system is. Embedded system doesn't always within a larger mechanical or electrical system. For example a digital watch is an embedded system but not part of any mechanical or electrical system. A handphone (or cellphone) is also an embedded system but has multiple functions which can be added or removed (in terms of software) and also not part of either mechanical nor electrical system.
Other definition of embedded system comes from Bjärnemyr & Dahlberg:
"An embedded system is any device used to control, monitor or assist the operation of some equipment or machinery and is an integrated part of that. It combines hardware and software and includes one or more microprocessors for a specific application."
This definition describes an example of embedded system application. Embedded system could be used in control system and becomes part of that. But as described above, it doesn't always be part of another larger system.
This definition also describes embedded system as a combination of hardware and software. The terms embedded hardware and embedded software are used to refer hardware and software respectively. In the past, all computing systems were made by hardware. But with the advance of science and technology, some parts of hardware then were replaced by software as seen today.
Other definition comes from Wolf. He agrees that embedded system is a combination of hardware and software where software is the programmable part. He describes embedded system as:
"... programmable processors in application-specific systems”.
Other interesting definition comes from Geoffrey Bessin, a staff at IBM Rational:
"An embedded system is any software system that must be designed on a platform different from the platform on which the system is intended to be deployed."
This definition comes from technical perspective of software development. But as described in the last two definitions, embedded system is not only a software but a combination of hardware and software system. The interesting part of this definition is the introduction of two platforms in embedded software development. They are platforms for design and platforms for deploy embedded software.
The platform for deploy embedded software is what called as embedded hardware. There are many variations of embedded hardware which depend on the purpose of embedded system. The embedded software design usually follows the hardware platform. That is why there is a close relation between embedded hardware and software.
The commonly used platform today to design embedded software is PC. The embedded designers use some applications in PC to design, develop and test either embedded hardware or software before deploy the results into embedded hardware.
For me, the definition of embedded system is:
"A combination of hardware and software computing system which works in constraint condition."
The keyword to describe embedded system should be constraint. Embedded system always has one or more constraint, such as time, power, space, price, function or others. A digital watch for example has time, power, space and price constraints. A handphone has power, space and (probably) price constraints. A controller in factory has space and precision constraints. Because of the constraint, embedded system is used in specific application and hence is specifically designed.
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