Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds and today it serves mankind in every possible juncture. Embedded systems are one such outcome of technological advancement that is changing the life of a common man in different fields. Basically, an embedded system is a device that performs a pre-defined function on a repetitive basis. They find usage in automobiles like cars where they are used for features like braking etc. Even cellular phones which are designed to perform certain complicated tasks contain these devices. Apart from them, other places where they find application are air-traffic control, MP3 players, digital watches, Mobiles, Planes, Trains, and other alike wherein the complexity of the application of embedded system varies.
What is an Embedded System?
An embedded Electronic system is a system dedicated to one or more functions to execute. It is a part of a complete system that includes hardware, firmware, software, and mechanical components. The embedded system is flexible to use with any other major systems to meet a wide range of specifications and end-user needs.
Different types of Embedded systems and their usage
The Embedded systems are typically pure hardware either Analog, Digital, or with the latest microcontrollers or digital signal processors (DSP), etc. For example, Real-Time System (RTS) which are using too many applications like Traction control (Railways for Electrical trains), Building Management Systems (BMS) implemented in M/s. CMC Limited building, Mumbai, first in India in 1992, Electrical Power Generation, control stations for regulating and controlling the power, air traffic control, and communication systems, etc.
As mentioned above, the embedded system is designed to execute one or two specific tasks. Since these systems are used for particular applications, the design engineer can reduce the size and cost by increasing the performance. The embedded systems have very wide applications since they are portable in nature, for example, home security, Overhead, and underground water tanks level controllers, domestic solar power systems, MP3 players, a wide variety of electronic toys, mobile phones and digital watches, etc.
The embedded design can be done by ITI, Diploma, and Engineering students or by any person who has an interest in this field.