EMBEDDED SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION:

A doctor is configuring a cardiac pacemaker inside his patent's chest while sitting 200 kilometers away. Another person is traveling in a driver-less car that takes him from Mumbai to New Delhi using its in-built navigation program. Impossible? Not really.

Advances in technology have taken place at such speed that these fictitious scenarios are likely to be translated into reality within the next couple of years. Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) and embedded systems are two among the several technologies that will play a major role in making these concepts possible.  

You may not know that the RTOS and embedded systems are the unsung heroes of much of the technology you use today--the video game you play, or the CD player or the washing machine you use employ them. Without an embedded system and an RTOS, you would not even be able to go online using your modem.  

All appliances that make use of embedded systems are pre-programmed to perform a dedicated or narrow range of functions as part of a larger system, usually with minimal end-user interaction. For example, an entire operating system like Windows 98 is not required for controlling a car's valve that has only certain types of movements, or a washing machine, which uses only specific cleaning routines.

Embedded systems are used in navigation tools like global positioning systems (GPS), automated teller machines (ATMs), networking equipment such as routers and switches, digital videos and cameras, mobile phones, aerospace applications, telecoms applications, etc. Even toys make use of embedded systems.

WHAT IS AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM?

As the name signifies, an embedded system is ‘embedded’ or built into something else, which is a non computing device, say a car, TV, or a small toy. Generally all the computational machines not other than desktop and sophisticated computers come under the category of Embedded System. An embedded computer in a non-computing device will have a very specific function, say control a car, or display a web page on a TV screen. So it need not to have all the functionality and hence all the components of a PC. Similarly Operating System and applications need not to perform all the tasks that there counter parts from the PC sphere are expected to.

In short, we can define an embedded system as a computing device, built into a device that is not a computer and meant for doing specific computing tasks. Embedded System is not a new and exotic topic that is still confined to research theses. There are lots and lots of examples all around us like MP3 players, PDAs, car control.

A typical computing system consists of hardware (typically VLSI or very large –scale integrated circuits) specifically built for purpose, an Embedded Operating System, and the specific application. The user interface could be Push buttons or LCD Displays and so on.

The embedded systems market, where operating systems and processors are tucked into non-computer devices that range from robots and car navigational systems to smart phones and game consoles, tooted its horn in San Francisco at the Embedded Systems Conference 2003. Scores of companies are using the conference as the platform to roll out new products, from chip sets to development tools and futuristic hovering cameras to interactive exercise bicycles.

EXAMPLE OF EMBEDDED SYSTEM: