What are Embedded Systems?
Embedded systems are specialized computing units designed to perform dedicated functions within a larger mechanical or electrical system. Unlike general-purpose computers, they are optimized for specific tasks, often with real-time constraints.
Key Characteristics
- Resource Constraints: Limited RAM, Flash, and CPU clock speeds.
- Real-Time Operation: Deterministic response times are often critical.
- Peripherals: Direct interaction with sensors, actuators, and communication buses (I2C, SPI, UART).
Development Paradigms
- Bare-Metal: Direct manipulation of registers without an abstraction layer.
- RTOS (Real-Time Operating System): Multi-threading and task scheduling (FreeRTOS, Zephyr).
- Embedded Linux: Full OS environment for high-performance edge devices.