What is an Embedded System in Electronics ?

What is Embedded System in Electronics ?

Introduction :-

Embedded System is a group of some electronics hardware and software system or systems that are designed to do some special tasks. An Embedded System can be as small as a wrist watch or a fully equipped bulky system like home security system. Basically the embedded system is a combined system of controller and its peripheral devices. 

An Embedded System has some of the following electronic devices

    1. Micro Controller

    2. Memory

    3. Inputs like keyboard, sensors.

    4. Output Devices like display, buzzers, actuators etc.

    5. Control Program.

    6. Power Supply  

      

let's understand the whole system little by little.

1. Micro controller

Some times controller called the brain of the whole embedded system as it controllers all input and output systems or devices as well as processing of the inputs commands to output of the devices that are connected with the embedded systems. 

To meet to requirements of an embedded system there are so many types and architectures are available in the market. It is the responsibility of a embedded system designer to choose the best controller for the specific task. A designer may keep the following points in the mind to choose one controller for the embedded system.

    a. Type of a Micro controller

    b. Architecture 

    c. Ports or Pins

    d. No. ADC 

    e. ADC bits.

    f. Internal Memory

    g. No. of Inputs and output pins.

2. Memory

Memory is an important part of an embedded system. The whole functions depends upon the size and types of memory . If the memory is too short than only less commands can be obtained from the system or when memory is too large than the function can be slow as it takes time to retrieve the command from the memory. There are two type of memories in a system

        a. Internal Memory

        b. External Memory

Internal Memory is present into the micro controller and the external memory is attached with the micro controller's port . It may be volatile or non volatile. These memories stores the commands input data or results for long time to obtain it in future requirements.

3. Inputs like keyboard, sensors.

Embedded system are designed to perform specific tasks. They take commands from input ports and apply the desired output on its output port. The input  devices can be a keyboard, trackball or some pointing device like mouse etc.

Some control embedded system devices are quipped with the input sensors like humidity sensors, temperature sensors, accelerators etc. 

4. Output Devices like display, buzzers, actuators etc.

An embedded system take its input from the condition of the sensor and apply the desired output to the output devices like LED-LCD display, buzzers, or other output device . Maximum  systems are equipped with the displays these display shows the condition of input system or commands and the value of the output devices . 

Some system has its own additional feedback system to check the position or magnitude of the output devices .This system ensure that the output command is applied successfully.  

 5. Control Program.

As we discussed before all the embedded systems are commended by its own program. The control program contains numerous lines or instruction and conditions of input and output system. A micro controller always reads the program and apply the output as per the requirement of the control program. Again it is the responsibility of   a embedded system designer to make the control program bug free so the program runs faster and error free. 

6. Power Supply  

Power supply is the energy who actually run the embedded system. The power supply can have a lots of types and values . The types and the values of a supply depends upon the requirements of a embedded system and its peripheral devices .

An electronic devices runs on DC supply and if we are controlling any electrical device than we need AC supply . a designer smartly designs the system with the both supplies. 

So at last we can says that the embedded system is an art of using electronics and electrical peripherals to obtain a specified output that control the physical environment . We can see some state-of-arts embedded system around us . These embedded systems are continuously adding values to our daily and routine life . A typed this page for you with the hepl of  a known state-of-art embedded system called a Personal Computer