Embedded systems, embedded operating systems

Generally speaking, an "embedded system" is a computer with a small size, small scale and very specific functions planted in a large overall device, and this computer is an "embedded system". It is mainly used to implement a certain part of the function of the overall device.

By "embedded" we mean "inlay" into other systems.

For example, the electronic control system in the car, the control system in the industrial control, the mobile phone, the elevator, the robot, the door card for commuting, the router, the TV set-top box, etc. are all embedded applications.

To put it more colloquially, it is to take apart a whole device, you can find the circuit board in it, and this circuit board has CPU and memory, then the whole device can basically be identified as an embedded system.

The implanted computer usually has a simple hardware composition and a single function, which is a dedicated computer.

In the field of embedded systems in China, the concept of embedded systems is that embedded systems are application-centric, based on computer technology, and the software and hardware can be tailored, which is suitable for special computer systems with strict requirements for function, reliability, cost, volume and power consumption. It is generally composed of four parts: embedded microprocessor, peripheral hardware devices, embedded operating system, and user applications, which are used to realize functions such as control, monitoring, or management of other devices.

Often, people tend to ignore the embedded systems around them - such as mobile phones, ATMs or elevators, etc., which exist in these ubiquitous devices, and sometimes people often use small computer systems embedded in cars, elevators, PDAs, program-controlled switches, etc., without realizing it. In addition, embedded systems often play a more important role in industrial robots, medical devices, satellites, flight systems, and more. Exactly"Invisible"with"Everywhere"These characteristics distinguish embedded computer systems from traditional computer systems.

To put it bluntly, a dedicated operating system is solidified into the hardware flash, which cannot be modified by ordinary people; Unlike ordinary PCs, people who know a little bit about computer systems can easily change Windows to Linux...

According to the IEEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers) definition, an embedded system is "devices used to control, monitor, or assist the operation of equipment, machinery or plants". It can be seen that the embedded system is a combination of software and hardware, and can also cover ancillary devices such as machinery. At present, a generally accepted definition in China is:

It is a special computer system that is application-centric, based on computer technology, and can be tailored to adapt to the strict requirements of the application system for function, reliability, cost, volume and power consumption.

With computer technology as the carrier, software and hardware can be tailored, low power consumption and high efficiency control system!

At present, the well-known embedded operating systems on the national banquet are Windows CE, PALM OS, LINUX, VXWORKS, PSOS, QNX, OS-9, LynxOS, etc., and foreign products that have entered the Chinese market include Windriver, Microsoft, QNX and Nuclear.

China's embedded operating system started late, and such domestic products are mainly based on independent copyright Linux operating system, which is represented by Chinasoft Linux, Hongqi Linux, and Oriental Linux.