Embedded Systems Flashcards
All 7 cards in this deck
What is an embedded system?
A small computer built into a larger device, which controls that device and usually performs only one or a limited number of tasks.
Give three typical characteristics of an embedded system.
It has a specific purpose (one or a limited number of tasks); it is built within a larger device; its software is in firmware/ROM and is hard to change.
Give three examples of embedded systems.
e.g. a dishwasher, a digital watch and a car engine management system. (Also central heating, GPS, fitness trackers, calculators.)
True or false? A laptop is an embedded system.
False. A laptop is a general purpose computer that can run many different programs chosen by the user.
Give two differences between an embedded system and a general purpose computer.
An embedded system performs only one or a limited number of tasks and is not usually programmable by the user; it uses a cheaper, less powerful processor and needs less power.
What are the steps to explain why a device in a given scenario is an embedded system?
e.g. the control system inside a washing machine- Say it is built within a larger device: built into the washing machine.
- Give its purpose: dedicated to one/limited task, controlling the wash cycles.
- Add one more characteristic: its software is in ROM/firmware, so it is hard to change.
True or false? A television is not an embedded system because it can do more than one thing.
False. A TV is an embedded system — a microprocessor and built-in software are built into the device to control it and perform a limited set of tasks.