An embedded system is an electronic system that has a software and  is embedded in computer

hardware. It is programmable or non- programmable depending on the application. An

Embedded system is defined as a way of working, organizing, performing single or multiple
tasks according to a set of rules.In an embedded system, all the units assemble and work together
according to the program. Examples of embedded systems include numerous products such as
microwave ovens, washing machine, printers, automobiles, cameras, etc. These systems use
microprocessors, microcontrollers as well as processors like DSPs. This article gives an
overview of what is an embedded system and types of embedded system.

The important characteristics of an embedded systems are speed, size, power, reliability,
accuracy, adaptability. Therefore, when the embedded system performs the operations at high
speed, then it can be used for real -time applications. The Size of the system and power
consumption should be very low, then the system can be easily adaptable for different situations.

An Embedded system is a combination of computer hardware and software. As with any

electronic system, this system requires a hardware platform and that is built with a
microprocessor or microcontroller. The Embedded system hardware includes elements like user
interface, Input/Output interfaces, display and memory, etc.Generally, an embedded system
comprises power supply, processor, memory, timers, serial  communication ports and system
application specific circuits.

Embedded system software is written in a high-level language, and then compiled to achieve a
specific function within a non-volatile memory in the hardware. Embedded system software is
designed to keep in view of three limits. They are availability of system memory and processor
speed. When the system runs endlessly, there is a need to limit the power dissipation for events
like run, stop and wake up.

Consumer electronics include MP3 players, television sets, mobile phones, video game

consoles, digital cameras, GPS receivers, and printers. Household appliances, such as microwave
ovens, washing machines and dishwashers, include embedded systems to provide flexibility,
efficiency and features
Examples of Embedded Systems
As I told earlier, there's an endless list of Examples of Embedded Systems and we can't cover all
of these Embedded Systems examples in detail here so I have discussed few of these Embedded
Systems Examples in detail and have mentioned the rest of them and yes still I have missed a lot.
:) One of the most exciting Examples of Embedded Systems is Digital Camera so let's have a
look at its features:
Digital Camera
A digital camera is very good example of embedded systems.
Cameras that we use today are smart and have a lot of features that were not present in early
cameras all because of embedded system used in them.
A digital camera has basically three functions, to capture image which we call data, to store
image data, and to represent this data.
Today images are stored and processed in form of digital data in bits.
There is no need of film for storing images. This feature has increased the storage capacity and
made it easy to transfer images.

In digital cameras, first image is captured and converted to digital form.

This digital image is stored in internal memory.
When the camera is attached to your personal computer for uploading images, it transfers the
stored data.
If I talk about smart camera, it has some extra features than digital cameras.
Smart cameras are able to capture details of the scene.
These cameras analyze the Images and are able to detect humans,motion,faces etc.from the
whole image.
For detection of objects in the image some processing is required in cameras.usually,image
processing includes low level processing and high level processing.various algorithms are
available that are employed for this purpose.
Components of a smart camera include image sensor that may be a CCD(Charge Coupled
Device)or a CMOS(Complementary metal oxide semiconductor)
Analog to digital converter(A2D)
Image processor
Memory
Lens
Led or other illuminating device communication interface etc.
Smart cameras may consist of some more devices depending on features so we can say that
camera is one of the important embedded system examples.it has its own
processor,sensors,actuators and also memory for storage purposes.
MP3 Audio:
An MP3 player is a device used to store music, video, and photos. Unlike former innovations
that allowed consumers to do these things, an MP3 player is extremely convenient because it can
fit into a pocket, enabling users to easily carry it anywhere and use it at just about any time.
Regardless of its small stature, however, a typical MP3 player has around 20 gigabytes of
memory, which means it has the capacity of storing about 500 CDs! But what exactly is this little
gadget? Think of an MP3 player as a computer. Just like your desktop or laptop, an MP3 player
stores files. The MP3 player derives its moniker from the MP3 files, which are audio-specific
format files, which are stored on it. DOC and PDF are types of files used for storing certain
information such as printable documents, while MP3 is a file type which is used for storing
music. An MP3 player is a specific type of computer which is used to play back sounds stored.

How does it work?

The MP3 file format, or MPEG audio layer III, revolutionized the music industry back in the late
20th century. This was when the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) developed video-data
compression systems, including HDTV broadcasts, digital satellites, and DVD movies. The MP3
compression system developed by MPEG is a compression system that actually reduces the
number of bytes in a song, while still retaining clear sound. This was no small feat, because
compressing a song compromises its sound quality. With MP3 compression, consumers no
longer have to sacrifice sound quality for the convenience of a smaller file size. Of course, this
smaller file size allows for music to be downloaded faster from the internet. Another difference
between the MP3 player and previous music players is its solid-state memory. Earlier forms of
music devices require moving parts that read encoded data on a CD or a tape. MP3 players,
however, use data storage with a software application embedded within to allow the transfer of
MP3 files to it. This embedded software is another reason for the MP3 player's convenience and
portability. An MP3 player is a digital music player, storing its music and photo files in digital
 files in binary code, which is used for different methods of encoding data using the binary
number system's two binary digits of 0 and 1. Like every other computerized device on the
market today, MP3 players use circuit boards, made of material that does not conduct electricity,
which is used to hold its electronic components such as capacitors and resistors that hold and
manage the electrical charge

Automatic washing machines: Machine

Daily life examples of embedded systems include automatic washing machines and dryers.
Washing clothes is not a difficult task now owing to embedded systems. You just have to add
clothes and leave it to the machine. Rest operations are done by your machine itself.

Machines have a Microcontroller for controlling all the tasks.

Sensors and actuators in this case are level sensors, valves, motor and also a display and keypad to
input information.

Once you load clothes in machine, the whole process consists of three cycles. Washing, rinsing and
spinning.

All the three cycles are initiated by machine itself. You just have to enter information for hot or
cold water and press start button.

During washing and rinsing cycle, water is added to the drum by pipes.

Closing and opening of valves for adding water is checked through level sensors by
microcontroller like PIC Microcontroller.

Then the rotation of drum starts for pre-set time. After that water is drained out through pipes.

During spinning cycle, water is not added and drum rotates for a set time.

All the processes are controlled by microcontroller program.

The timings for each cycle can be changed through the keypad.

So this was another embedded systems examples. Now let’s move towards the next one.

Microwave oven

A typical example of such an embedded system is in your microwave oven.

The microwave often has a display, keyboard, and a number of sensors and actuators. Sensors
can be a temperature sensor or the sensor that detects whether the door is closed.