Embedded Software vs Firmware Use Cases
While firmware vs embedded software operates on hardware, each has distinct functions and features. Firmware controls how these devices do tasks like making phone calls, printing papers, and flying. In the meantime, embedded software adds features and services, including cameras, cloud printing, and obstacle detection.
To better understand the difference between firmware and embedded software, it’s insightful to discover how they are used in different products. By examining these below use cases, we can see how firmware and embedded software work together to make devices more functional, user-friendly, and smart.
Televisions
To process the digital high-definition TV (HDTV) stream and generate the red, green, and blue values and the digital also for each pixel, televisions require the addition of microprocessors. Firmware also handled analog-to-digital audio signal conversion for the headphones and speakers. This requires firmware rather than embedded software, while “Smart TVs” use embedded software.
Firmware and embedded software operate on a TV
Smart TVs still use firmware for low-level signal processing tasks. They require more firmware to operate the wired or wireless network interface and interact with the remote control. However, smart TVs also have operating systems, often Android or Roku, and applications that can be accessed directly from the TV or by internet download. These applications, or embedded software, allow for greater user engagement than just changing the channel and volume.
Robots
Typically, industrial robots with a single purpose may function using just firmware. The firmware controls the robot’s behavior, processes sensor input, and takes appropriate action.
Firmware vs embedded software is important for making robots
Now, picture a multipurpose robot with enough sensors and actuators for various tasks. All of its actuators (arms, joints, wheels, and tools) and sensors (cameras, motion sensors, audio sensors, and so on) still need firmware, as do its wireless networking and positioning systems (Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth).
Embedded software gives the robot its specific capabilities, such as those of a package-delivery robot, dog-walker robot, or rescue robot. The same robot hardware uses different embedded software to do various tasks.
MP3 Player
Before smartphones took over the globe, there was a specific section for electronic gadgets called MP3 players. We could load up our MP3 players with music and listen to it via our earbuds all day.
Embedded software offers different functions and apps on an MP3 Player
There were just 5 buttons on the interface: a play/pause button, two buttons for skipping to the next and previous songs in an MP3 playlist, and two buttons to control the volume. Compared to multi-purpose gadgets like smartphones, the function of an MP3 Player is rather simple. Everything from the flash memory that stores the digital MP3 files to the high-quality Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) that converts the digital data into an analog signal delivered into the 3.5mm earphone connector is custom designed.
Smartphones
Both firmware and embedded software may be found in modern smartphones. They work to make phones smarter, more productive, and easier to use.
Firmware and embedded software are two essential types of mobile device software
The firmware controls basic phone functions like making and receiving calls, sending and receiving text messages, and connecting to a network. It also contains the bootloader, which enables the user to switch out the current operating system to a new one or to run a custom ROM.
Firmware can be updated so that bugs can be fixed or new features can be added to the smartphone. Improvements to a smartphone’s battery life, camera quality, and security may all turn possible thanks to firmware updates.
The embedded software runs on the smartphone’s operating system, such as Android or iOS. Thus, features and apps like cameras, web browsers, gaming, and social media are all created possible. The embedded software operating system is optional and often written in C or assembly. It is customized and designed to work best with the smartphone’s functions and features.
Printers
Firmware vs embedded software can affect the printer’s performance, quality, and safety
Firmware and embedded software are both included in printers, yet they perform distinct functions.
The printer’s firmware runs all of the printer’s operations, including printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. Additionally, the firmware is responsible for communicating between the printer and the computer or network. Firmware updates may boost a printer’s print quality, speed, or compatibility.
At the same time, embedded software runs on the printer’s processor, providing extra features and functions like wireless connectivity, cloud printing, ink management, and security.
Drones
Firmware manages the communication between the drone and the remote controller
Firmware vs embedded software can affect the drone’s performance, quality, and safety. The drone’s flight, hovering, landing, and return are all set by the drone’s firmware. Embedded software is programmed into the drone’s onboard computer, enabling extra features, including a camera, GPS, obstacle avoidance, and remote control.
What is Firmware?
Firmware, a type of low-level software, is a computer program stored in non-volatile memory like a flash chip and executes directly from that location. Its purpose is to allow the operating system to interact with the hardware. Device drivers, operating systems, and applications can access the hardware once the firmware runs.
To put it in easy words, the firmware is like a translator that helps the hardware and the operating system talk to each other. The operating system then adds more features and functions on top of the hardware. In other words, firmware is like the glasses through which the operating system can see the hardware.
Your product’s security is strengthened because the firmware is often designed to prevent altering behavior.
Read more: Embedded System Design: Step-by-step Guide in 2023
Embedded software is a device’s brain, and it can affect its performance, quality, and safety
Difference Between Firmware And Embedded Software
Firmware is not embedded software. However, it’s just a tiny part of the whole computer software. Without the OS and middleware parts, firmware only works as a one-way translator and can’t do anything without other software layers working on top of it. In contrast, a complete embedded layer stack is the only software necessary for a device to operate properly.
Once functioning correctly, firmware is not often updated as frequently as embedded OS or application software.
Imagine a set of traffic lights to get an easier idea for firmware vs embedded software. It’s green for software, orange for firmware, and red for hardware. The hardest part of updating a product line already in production is the hardware, followed by firmware, and finally software.
Firmware is a type of embedded software that is stored in a non-volatile memory chip
Firmware is the software layer functioning as a bridge between a piece of hardware and the program running on top of it. PCs, laptops, smartphones, etc., all include firmware. The operating system may or may not be a part of the embedded software that controls the whole system. Embedded devices, such as digital thermometers, cameras, washing machines, etc., often use embedded software.
