Embedded Systems

Embedded Systems

1. The term embedded system refers to the use of electronics and software within a product, as opposed to a general-purpose computer, such as a laptop or desktop system.

   • Application Processors versus Dedicated Processors
     • Application processors are defined by the processor’s ability to execute complex operating systems
     • Most embedded systems employ a dedicated processor, which, as the name implies, is dedicated to one or a small number of specific tasks required by the host device.
   • Microprocessors versus Microcontrollers
     • Early microprocessor chips included registers, an ALU, and some sort of control unit or instruction processing logic. Contemporary microprocessor chips, include multiple cores and a substantial amount of cache memory
     • A microcontroller is a single chip that contains the processor, non-volatile memory for the program (ROM), volatile memory for input and output (RAM), a clock, and an I/O control unit. The processor portion of the microcontroller has a much lower silicon area than other microprocessors and much higher energy efficiency.
   • Embedded versus Deeply Embedded Systems
     • Deeply embedded systems are dedicated, single- purpose devices that detect something in the environment, perform a basic level of processing, and then do something with the results.

2. Possible Organization of an Embedded System

3. The Internet of Things (IoT)

   • The Internet of things (IoT) is a term that refers to the expanding interconnection of smart devices, ranging from appliances to tiny sensors. The Internet now supports the interconnection of billions of industrial and personal objects, usually through cloud systems.
     • The Internet has gone through roughly four generations of deployment culminating in the IoT:
       • Information technology (IT)
       • Operational technology (OT)
       • Personal technology
       • Sensor/actuator technology

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