What Is An Embedded System
Definition, Types, Use, and Future

• Weather prediction calculations and monitoring systems
• Air traffic control/ ATC systems
• Flight control and navigation
• Aircraft and vehicle management systems
• Collision avoidance systems

Read more: Embedded System Design: Step-by-step Guide in 2023

• Advanced integrated clothing for soldiers
• Hightech vehicles and apparatuses, like UAVs and satellites
• Hightech warfare
• Navigation, radar, and satellite systems
• Weapons, targeting, and guidance technology tools

Real-time embedded systems are capable of providing output and results in real time. The time it takes to calculate results is essential in real-time embedded systems. Space travel, for example, is one field where having access to crucial information at the drop of a hat is essential. The processing times of the resulting outputs let us further categorize real-time embedded systems into two groups:

• Soft real-time embedded systems
• Hard real-time embedded systems

These are a few examples of real-time embedded systems:

• Aircraft controls
• Sensor data is processed and transmitted by computers in land vehicles and aircraft.
• Missile defense system controls
• Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle controls

The deadlines or time limits for producing soft, real-time embedded systems are more flexible. There may be a little performance drop if outputs aren’t delivered on time, but this is not considered a failure of the system or the application and is not expected to have serious effects. While the system may be slow, its results are still valued.

To illustrate the concept of a “soft real-time embedded system,” consider a computer running an application whose main goal is to evaluate in real-time relatively harmless, non-mission-critical sensor data, such as the temperature and humidity measurements of a specific region.

Real-time output transmission may be delayed depending on the computer’s processing speed and available memory. Although it is helpful to have this information on hand, collecting and analyzing data on temperature and humidity isn’t usually seen as a mission-critical activity that generates mission-critical data. Therefore, the system’s late outputs would still be considered important, and the latency itself, although indicative of a reduction in service quality, would not have any especially negative consequences.

Put another way, complex real-time embedded systems are the opposite of their soft ones. Due to the nature of the programs and applications typically using hard real-time embedded systems, failure to meet output deadlines is considered a system or application failure, which can have catastrophic consequences.

For instance, in missile defense systems, hard real-time embedded systems are implemented because of the urgent need to identify, track, intercept, and destroy approaching missiles without putting people, property, or infrastructure at risk.

In contrast to networked embedded systems, standalone embedded devices may operate independently. They’re suited to functioning alone to get results.

The following are some examples of standalone embedded systems:

• MP3 player
• Digital camera
• Digital wristwatch
• Calculator
• Refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven
• Temperature measurement system

While it’s true that certain embedded systems can work completely on their own, this is by no means general. When used as a component of a larger mechanical, electrical, or electronic system, many embedded systems develop in their aimed roles.

For instance, adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems are not considered independent embedded systems since they cannot perform their intended function if separated from the vehicles in which they are installed.

But a calculator, for instance, after taking input from the user, sends back an answer in math.

In contrast to the ACC system, it does not need to be embedded into a larger system. Hence it is considered a standalone embedded system.

To provide results, networked embedded devices connect to the internet through wired or wireless networks and exchange data with remote servers.

Examples of embedded systems that rely on networks that are often discussed include:

• Home and office security systems

Security systems for the home or business are systems of sensors, cameras, alarms, and other embedded devices that monitor the inside and outside of a facility and sound an alarm if they detect anything out of the usual.

• ATMs

To process transactions like withdrawals, balance inquiries, deposits, and more, an ATM must be connected to a host computer and a computer controlled by the bank.

• POS systems

A point-of-sale (POS) system is a network of computers and a central server that records financial and other data about customers.

In general, embedded systems are considered network or networked embedded systems if they either include or are supported by networks of other devices.

Mobile embedded systems include all the small, portable embedded devices on the market, from calculators to mobile phones.

It’s important to note the technical overlaps between network-embedded systems, standalone embedded systems, and mobile-embedded systems.

All mobile embedded devices operate independently, while some also function as embedded systems.

Although microwave ovens have embedded systems, they are not mobile since they are too large and heavy to be carried around. Mobile embedded systems, such as point-of-sale terminals, are more compact and easily transportable, although they are network-dependent.