Embedded Systems

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. Embedded systems control many devices in common use today. Ninety-eight percent of all microprocessors are manufactured as components of embedded systems.

Examples of properties of typical embedded computers when compared with general-purpose counterparts are low power consumption, small size, rugged operating ranges, and low per-unit cost. This comes at the price of limited processing resources, which make them significantly more difficult to program and to interact with.

Embedded systems talk with the outside world via peripherals, such as:

• Serial Communication Interfaces (SCI): RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, etc.
• Synchronous Serial Communication Interface: I2C, SPI, SSC and ESSI (Enhanced Synchronous Serial Interface)
• Universal Serial Bus (USB)
• Multi Media Cards (SD cards, Compact Flash, etc.)
• Networks: Ethernet, LonWorks, etc.
• Fieldbuses: CAN-Bus, LIN-Bus, PROFIBUS, etc.
• Timers: PLL(s), Capture/Compare and Time Processing Units
• Discrete IO: aka General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO)
• Analog to Digital/Digital to Analog (ADC/DAC)
• Debugging: JTAG, ISP, ICSP, BDM Port, BITP, and DB9 ports