Embedded System: Versatile, Low Power, Efficient

July 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Embedded System: Versatile, Low Power, Efficient

Contemporary electronic equipment is increasingly becoming more "intelligent". As the market moves away from manually operated and controlled equipment, electronics has grown to be more autonomous and can deal with a myriad of tasks. The intelligence of these devices resides in what are called embedded systems. Embedded systems provide the ability to build enhanced functionality and robustness into a small device, combined with lower cost and better reliability - a key factor for its success and increased acceptability. The embedded systems industry has grown by leaps and bounds to become a multi-billion dollar industry. The application of embedded systems has also grown from devices capable of managing simple control systems to devices having highly functional real-time operating systems, managing a host of tasks.
Embedded systems are computers programmed to support a predefined set of tasks often with minimal or no human intervention and form part of a complete device, including hardware and mechanical parts. In fact, embedded systems can be integrated or “embedded” into larger electrical or electronic equipment, to allow the equipment to have the necessary “intelligence” to function automatically. Embedded systems are built-to-interact with the physical world, receiving inputs from sensors and taking appropriate pre-defined actions.

Embedded Systems’ Versatility
The versatility of the embedded system lends itself to be used in all kinds of equipment. Embedded systems can be found in an enormous range of equipment - ranging from simple products (such as digital watches or TV remote control) to expensive products (such as cars) to huge complex equipments used in manufacturing units.

Characteristics of Embedded Systems
•   Simple yet Robust
Designed to handle a few tasks, embedded systems can constitute steps with complex logic
•   Real Time/Reactive Operation
Embedded systems can be programmed to support both complex real-time as well as simple periodic or ad-hoc operation
•   Low Power, Limited Cooling
Embedded systems can be run even on batteries, offering low-power operation with minimal or no cooling
•   Small Size/Low Weight
Embedded systems are designed to deliver maximum performance for minimum size and weight
•   Safe and Reliable
Systems are designed to perform predefined tasks for long periods of time without failing or requiring service
•   User Interfaces
Range from simple input switches to full QWERTY or touch keypads and from LED based status indicators to versatile display systems
•   Low Cost
Costs much lower than general-purpose computers

Embedded Systems – Designed to Perform
Embedded systems are based on the concept of the microprocessor or  microcontroller. Microcontrollers make integrated systems possible by combining several features together into what is practically a complete computer-on-a-chip.
The embedded system often includes the following:
•   Sensors measure a physical quantity and converts it to a signal to be input to the embedded system
•   FPGA/ASIC – FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) is selected based on the processing requirement, speed, size and performance parameters.
•   CPU (Microprocessor / DSP) – The most important part of the system which processes the inputs and arrives at results based on predefined logic.  
•   Memory – Read Only Memory (ROM) stores the logic while Random Access Memory (RAM) stores operational data.
•   Converters (A-D and D-A) – converts Analog signals to Digital signals and vice versa
•   Actuators – a mechanical device for moving or controlling a device
•   Additional components such as Human Interface part, diagnostic port for debugging and error correction, and auxiliary power and cooling applications
•   Communication path with the interacting environment
By compressing so many components into a single chip, Embedded systems not only lessens the component count and the associated wiring, but also dramatically reduces the complexity. Since embedded systems are dedicated to specific tasks, design engineers can optimise the system by reducing the overall size and cost of the product and increasing the reliability and performance.  

Advantages of Embedded Systems
•   Design and Efficiency
Embedded systems are designed to be less complicated with limited functionality and enhances efficiency.
•   Small and Optimised
Embedded systems use few external components, enabling size miniaturisation and optimal resource utilisation.
•   Maintenance
Maintainability of embedded systems is enhanced by virtue of its smaller size and limited components. Can also be supported remotely.
•   Economical
The streamlined design, software embedding and smaller size allow embedded systems to be implemented and operated economically.

Conclusion
There are endless uses for embedded systems in consumer products as well as industrial applications. With the advent of microcontrollers and microprocessors having excellent processing capabilities along with reduced costs, the application of embedded systems is finding its way to a vast variety of equipment. The use of embedded systems in electronic equipment can also solve many problems including size, complexity, maintenance and mainly cost. Contact LX Innovations to find out how a custom designed embedded system can reduce your Cost and increase your Efficiency.

About LX Innovations
LX Innovations (www.lx-innovations.com.au) is an electronics design company in Australia. They design electronics, firmware, and software for many industries including embedded system applications. LX Innovations is a pioneer in customer product development using embedded systems.
The team at LX have been nationally and internationally recognised and procured many accolades for their innovative designs, business strategy and research. Clients benefit by having an application that has a Lower TCO, is smaller in size and combines reliability and good performance. LX Innovations’ expertise in building embedded systems enables quicker design and reduces the time in bringing a concept to reality. www.lx-innovations.com.au.

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LX Innovations is an electronics design house, specialising in the wireless and low power electronics designs. LX offers clients a range of professional solutions designed to take a new product idea from concept through to production.