Embedded Software a Sneak Peak

What is an embedded system? This question may have come to your mind while scanning through pages and this particular word coming under your eyes. Well, for a simple man we can start from the starting. It was in 1970’s, when Intel introduced the 4004 microprocessor chip that started a revolution. The microprocessor chip was started with the two main purposes, the first being used in computers for general purpose. The other major application instrument includes the specific purpose electronic systems.

In the initial stages of its development, it was designed to use for special purpose, but the flexibility, cost friendliness, and ease in modification made it a thing of popular choice. In general, the microprocessor-based electronic systems are embedded systems, which are made to satisfy one application need at a time. The embedded software solutions are dedicated solutions as compared to the traditional digital systems in which the system functionality is implemented in the hardware. In case of embedded systems, the solutions are implemented in the software, which runs on any one of the many processors attached. This frees the hardware for high-performance functions.

Some typical examples of everyday use embedded solutions running devices area printer, mobile phone, and engine controller in automotive units. Embedded system is different from general purpose computer as the software in embedded system is a part of the system specification. It is a key part of system design and remains unchanged when the system is shipped to end user. Thus, it is also known as firmware. A general shift is seen in recent years in the way embedded systems are looked up. There has been a large growth in software development company India emerging as embedded solution provider as there is a migration from application specific logic to application specific code running on existing processors.

The increase in embedded system market saw the rise of semiconductor vendors who ventures to develop microcontrollers: a special microprocessors version for the embedded solutions market. Now what combines to make a microcontroller? Well it consists of a CPU core, ROM, RAM, I/O devices, and timers. It was in 1981, when Intel originally developed the 8-bit microcontroller, which shared a huge market of around $ 1.5 billion in year 2000. It is worth noting that 8-bit microcontrollers are the most accepted devices. Now when this microcontroller is fitted in the PCB it includes some analog and digital circuits that complement the embedded software for microcontroller and helps in running it.

This was present in 1980’s, but in late 90’s with the rise and demand of real-time, intelligent and portable communicators arose, the market saw the arrival of system on chip (SoC) where the designers integrated all the system on the chip. Thus, started the journey of embedded systems and we are experiencing novel developments every day in this field of software industry.