Embedded Systems

• An embedded system is a computer system that uses programmed processors embedded onto a single circuit board
• Embedded systems are often used as part of a larger device
• Embedded systems are designed to carry out a small number of specific tasks very efficiently
• Embedded systems are low cost and small, making them essential in many people's lives
• Embedded systems use firmware to control the hardware
• Firmware is usually programmed in the factory where the microcontroller is produced
• Unlike software, the user does not directly interact with the firmware
• Most embedded systems solely run the firmware added to the device by the manufacturer
• Some devices can have their firmware updated by the user
• Many embedded devices do not contain separate HDD or SSD drive containing the operating system
• Instead, the operating system is installed on a read-only memory chip in the form of firmware, running with limited computer hardware resources
• Since embedded devices are usually single purpose devices, new software or software updates usually do not need to be installed