Uses of An Embedded Computer
Some examples where embedded computers are used
Nowadays, electronics, computers, software, and applications, are very much present in our everyday lives. There are various things we do and encounter daily that all make use of computers or programs. Little do other people know that even simple devices such as traffic lights, washing machines, and electronic stethoscopes, have embedded boards that allow them to run embedded applications.
Embedded systems are not so different from the usual computer systems except that they are often part of a bigger system and they are designed to perform or handle a specific number of tasks. You can say that your desktop computer or notebook computer is made up of various embedded systems, each of which is designed to handle a particular function such as video cards for the computer’s video capabilities, sound cards for the computers sound capabilities, and the network card for the computer’s networking capabilities, among others.
It is not difficult to identify embedded computers; you only have to question yourself whether a particular device is designed for a specific function only. A small embedded board may be designed to be used by itself or as part of a bigger system. Below are some examples of things you will encounter often where embedded computers are used.
· Communications. Chances are you have a mobile phone. Mobile phones, especially the newer models, consist of several embedded systems. The more features or function your mobile phone has, the more embedded systems it has. Aside from this, embedded systems are also present in telephone switches and networks which are common in many offices and establishments.
· Transportation. Trains, airplanes, and even automobiles like your car, all make use of embedded computers. New car models have computer boxes that contain various embedded boards that are designed for a specific task such as climate control, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking system, and automatic drives. Airplanes have inertial guidance systems and GPS receivers.
· Medical equipment. Various medical equipment are also composed of embedded applications that are, again, designed for a particular function such as monitor the vital signs, amplify sounds, and for medical imaging.
· Consumer electronics. There are numerous and diverse electronic items that are available nowadays, all of which have one or more embedded system in them. Household items such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, and home security systems, among others, all use embedded applications. The same goes for digital cameras, printers, multimedia players, videogame consoles, and many more.
Embedded systems make it easy to trouble shoot the bigger system that they belong to because you can easily isolate specific tasks or functions that you want to check. Aside from this, it is easier to fix the whole system because you can just replace any malfunctioning embedded board.
About the Author:
Aggie Aviso is a freelance consumer and business writer, writing comprehensive reviews, articles and how-to’s.
. Anyway, will still do share pictures with something red in whenever I got one 