Embedded Microprocessor
What is embedded microprocessor?
Embedded microprocessors are embedded inside other devices. Usually these processors are used as microcontrollers in devices such as automative ignition control, digital radio tuning, printers, mobile phones, DVD players and washing machines. The functions of microcontrollers were once done by mechanical devices. Generally embedded microcprocessors are 8 bit devices programmed in assembly language.
Nowadays RISC microcontrollers such as ARM used as they are cheap and consume low power. Moreover the software can be written in high level languages such C, C++ and Java. This allows easy coding in less time.
Embedded System
An embedded system is a microprocessor-based system that controls a function or set of functions. A typical embedded systems consists of the following components: processor, memory, peripherals and software.
Advantages
- Microprocessors that are used as embedded controllers are cheap
- More efficient than mechanical devices
- Ease of design
- Software portability
- Replacement of analog circuits
- High noise immunity
- Self-test features
- No component ageing and drift