Function of Embedded Systems and its target devices:
An embedded system is a combination of embedded hardware and embedded software applications. These form an integrated system- called the embedded system, which when placed in the target device, performs a pre-defined function for the system. Each embedded system has a specific function to do, and is greatly helpful for handling jobs in real time. The global embedded system has been divided into two categories- hardware and software. Embedded systems include microprocessors and microcontrollers, processor IP, operating systems, application-specific IC, digital signal processors, software development and testing tools, and many other such fields.
Embedded systems and embedded development find great use in every industry today. Thus, its target devices are also greatly varied. From cell phones to motors, internet services to remote sensing and controlling, home appliances to games, GPS to automotive, embedded systems have a wide base of target devices today!
Industries that depend on Embedded Systems:
Embedded systems provide greater efficiency to all devices. Thus, healthcare, automotive, telecommunication, consumer electronics, military, aerospace and many other industries need embedded systems today for better and more efficient output.
The telecommunication industry is the greatest user of embedded systems. From telephone switches for network connections, to cell phones, embedded systems are needed for these. Computer networking systems also need embedded systems for network bridges and routers.
Electronic industries too, use embedded systems a lot today. Consumer electronics like home appliances, DVD players, MP3 players, video game consoles, mobile phones, home automation systems- all need embedded systems. Embedded systems play a crucial role in sensing, controlling, flexibility and efficiency.
The automotive sectors find it difficult to imagine products without embedded systems today! Various transportation systems, like flights and other automobiles use embedded systems, for greater safety and efficiency. Various airplanes today are using advanced GPS receivers via embedded systems. Various electric motors are also using embedded systems today, and greater power and efficiency is being achieved through the usage of embedded systems.
Future market expansion for embedded systems:
Embedded systems have captured the market greatly today. Almost every industry uses this electronic wonder today! From electronics and communication to mechanical and automation, every sector today uses embedded systems in its products for better efficiency and output. Thus, we can expect the growing demand of embedded systems to keep growing in the future. However, embedded systems do have certain security problems, which can be greatly solved through proper Embedded Firmware Development. With this only hindrance managed, we can expect the demand of embedded systems to keep rising magnificently, and capturing greater markets in future. We find a great market expansion prospect for embedded systems in future.
Most embedded systems to become IoT:
IoT devices are embedded devices undoubtedly, but all embedded devices are not IoT devices. The reason lies in the characteristics of devices using Internet of Things. They have embedded systems, which gather information and work according to the instructions provided. But they also have two other characteristics- network connectivity and autonomous operation. These two are absent in traditional embedded systems, and may or may not be present in today’s embedded systems as well. Thus, we find that embedded systems are not all IoT.
Most embedded systems today are aiming towards becoming IoT. This is because, IoT promises of less power consumption. Though IoTs work on battery, the processor power consumption shall also get reduced, and this shall help almost all embedded systems. As far as connectivity is concerned, adding network connectivity to an embedded system exposes it to all risks, thus system security should also be improved with transition.
Thus, in future, we can expect connected embedded systems or the IoT devices capturing the market more than the traditional embedded systems. Thus, the traditional embedded systems should aim at attaining connectivity to maintain their market status.
