what's an embedded system

Computer systems are everywhere. They fall into essentially two separate categories. The first and most obvious is that of the desktop computer, they are designed to be flexible and to meet a wide range of user needs.


The second type of computer is the embedded computer (or embedded system), a computer that is embedded into a bigger electronics system and repeatedly carrying out a particular function, often going completely unrecognized by the system’s user.


Definition: An embedded system is a computer system that is built to control one or a few dedicated functions, and is not designed to be programmed by the end user in the same way that a desktop computer is.



if we ask some one how many computer he have in his home probably he will count just his desktop computer and his laptop. However, computers have always been embedded into all sorts of everyday items like washing machine, TV, ....


In most cases, an embedded system is used to replace an application-specific electronics in the consumer products. By doing so, most of the system’s functionality is encapsulated in the firmware that runs the system, and it is possible to change and upgrade the system by changing the firmware, while keeping the hardware same. This reduces the cost of production even lower because many different systems can share the same hardware base and the functionality is determined by the firmware loaded into them.




this is a short list of embedded systems

Cell phones, digital cameras, battery chargers, digital thermostats, traffic light controllers, digital watches, washers and dryers, ovens, fax machines, printers, televisions, DVD players, factory control, satellite phones, modems, network cards, pagers, portable video games, photocopiers, home security systems, mp3 players, ipod, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, air bag control

they are everywhere !!

inside every embedded system we have 3 principle parts : processor, memory, and Peripherals which can any embedded system communicate with the outside


those peripherals are

- digital inputs and outputs

- serial interfaces

- analog to digital convertor

- keypads




as a conclusion we can say embedded system have many advantages

The big advantage of using an them to replace a dedicated electronics circuit is the protection of intellectual property. If your design is completely hardware based, it is easier to steal the design. All you need is to identify the circuit components and trace the tracks on the circuit board. With an embedded system, the hardware can be identified but the software, which really supplies the system’s functionality, can be hidden and more difficult to crack.