2 Main Classification of Embedded Systems with Its Applications
Introduction
We are all aware that embedded systems, regardless of the circuit complexity, are very wonderful systems. Moreover, they are essential to many devices, equipment, industrial control systems, industrial instrumentation, and home appliances. Mobile phones, dishwashers, pacemakers, printers, and more appliances use embedded systems. For each of these applications, a certain task takes place by combining the actions of both hardware and software.
This article gives an overview of the classification of Embedded Systems.
Embedded Systems Classification and Application
You can classify embedded systems according to these two criteria:
- Requirements for Performance and Functionality
- Microcontroller performance
They are further classified into many parts that we discuss below. Apart from this, the applications of embedded systems vary from classification to another classification.
Requirements for Performance and Functionality
- Real-Time Embedded Systems
A Real-Time Embedded System is time specific, meaning that it produces output in a certain or predetermined period. These embedded systems respond faster in urgent situations. Moreover, they give time-based task performance and output generation top importance.
Application : defense sector, medical and health care sector
- Stand Alone Embedded Systems
Embedded systems that can operate without the assistance of a host system are stand-alone systems. Additionally, they give the output after receiving input in digital or analog form.
Application : MP3 players, calculator, Microwave ovens
- Networked Embedded Systems
Embedded systems connect to a network, which could have wire or wireless. Network communication can also interact with the embedded web server. This classification of Embedded Systems easily delivers output to the related device.
Application : Home security systems, Card swipe machine, ATM machine
- Mobile Embedded Systems
These devices are lightweight, user-friendly, and resource-efficient. Also, these are the most popular types of systems. These embedded systems are also suitable from a portability standpoint.
Application : MP3 player, Digital Camera, Mobile phones
Microcontroller Performance
It has further 3 types of embedded systems:
- Small Scale Embedded Systems
An 8-bit or 16-bit microcontroller serves in the development of these systems. They can also use battery power. Further, the processor uses very little/limited memory and processing speed resources. These systems typically don’t work as independent components units. But, they function as a versatile embedded system component of a computer system. However, they don’t have a specific program to perform calculations.
Application : Washing Machine , Digital Camera, Industrial Robots Home Security System
- Medium Scale Embedded Systems
Medium scale systems originate with the aid of a 16-bit or 32-bit microcontroller. Moreover, this classification of Embedded Systems operate faster than small-scale systems. These systems have complex hardware and software integration. They use various software tools like compilers, debuggers, and simulators.
Application : Routers for networking, ATM
- Sophisticated or Complex embedded systems
They are those that use numerous 32-bit or 64-bit microcontrollers in their design. Additionally, they can handle difficult, large-scale tasks. These systems are quite complex in terms of both hardware and software. Using both hardware and software components is necessary for designing full systems.
Application : MRI machines, safety-critical systems
Classification of Embedded System Based on Generation
The technological era or generation in which they appear is a different categories of embedded system. These comprise:
1. First Generation
These systems, which date back to the 1960s, relied on discrete parts such as transistors and resistors. Thus, their hardware and firmware were fairly simple. Moreover, classification of Embedded Systems work with 8-bit and 4-bit microprocessors.
2. Second Generation
Integrated circuits (ICs) were common in these systems. This development in the 1970s increased performance and reduced the size of embedded systems. Moreover, they were using 16-bit processors and 8-bit microcontrollers. Thus, they were more complex and powerful systems than the previous generation.
3. Third generation
Microprocessors were the primary processing unit in these systems in the 1980s. There was the emergence of domain-specific processors and controllers. For instance, Digital Signal Processors (DSP) and Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Moreover, there were potent 32-bit microprocessors and 16-bit microcontrollers. Besides, these categories of embedded systems were also having real-time operating systems.
4. Fourth Generation
These were common in the 1990s using cutting-edge software and microprocessors. Thus, they increase performance while consuming less electricity. They can also improve the performance of embedded systems via better microprocessors and microcontrollers.
Conclusion
Speed, size, power, accuracy, reliability, and flexibility are some of an embedded system’s key properties. Thus, real-time applications are possible when the system operates at a high rate of speed. The system should be very small and use very little power. Hence, it can adjust to various scenarios. The classification of Embedded Systems uses these factors.
