This article explains the definition and characteristics of embedded systems used in smartphones, and how they play an important role not only in smartphones, but also in automobiles, medical devices, industrial robots, and many other fields. Advances in embedded systems have expanded the possibilities for low-power, high-performance devices and are expected to be used in many more areas in the future.
About the categories and applications of embedded systems
With the huge popularity of smartphones these days, the field of computer hardware is once again in the spotlight. When we think of computer hardware, we often think of devices that we can touch, such as monitors and keyboards, but technically, they are not hardware, but computer peripherals. When we talk about computer hardware design, we usually refer to research on central processing units (CPUs), but many research institutes are now focusing on embedded systems. Smartphones utilise embedded systems and have embedded processors inside them.
What is an embedded system?
An embedded system is not a regular computer, but rather a CPU and peripheral interfaces that are used in electronic devices such as mobile phones and TVs, or mechanical systems such as cars. Embedded systems typically require small size and low power consumption, and often perform relatively simple tasks. Because of this, embedded processors are designed to be single-purpose, rather than multi-purpose, and with a specific architecture. However, as semiconductor devices have become increasingly dense, following Moore’s law, and research has improved parallelism through pipeline technology, embedded processors have been able to perform more and more tasks.
Smartphones and embedded systems
One of the most active applications of embedded systems today is in smartphones. Because smartphones are portable, large power-hungry computer systems can cause battery problems, which can be very frustrating. Therefore, small, low-power CPUs must be used in smartphones. Just a few years ago, the processing power in mobile phones was not very good, making it difficult to handle complex and lengthy calculations, but thanks to advances in embedded systems, today’s portable devices have grown to the point where they can perform powerful computations. Today’s smartphones are more than capable of handling computationally intensive and fast tasks, such as gaming and graphics-related tasks. Continued research will enable smartphones to perform larger and more complex tasks.
Embedded systems in the automotive industry
Another major application is in the automotive industry. Just a few decades ago, the only electronic device in a car was the radio, which consisted of a simple circuit. But today’s cars contain around 50 CPUs. Each of these CPUs has a different goal, such as controlling the engine, regulating the climate, or controlling the car’s attitude, and they all play a role in improving the car’s performance. Thanks to embedded systems, today’s cars are able to achieve features that were once unimaginable, such as self-parking and self-driving.
Expanding embedded systems: medical and industrial
In addition, embedded systems are increasingly expanding into areas such as medical devices and industrial robots. In medical devices, embedded systems include devices that measure a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, etc. in real time and process the data quickly to relay information to doctors. For example, pacemakers and auto-injectors are all powered by embedded processors, and without them, these devices would not be able to operate accurately and quickly.
In the industrial field, embedded systems are found in industrial robots and automation equipment. These systems perform precise process control and real-time error detection, greatly improving the efficiency of manufacturing. As such, embedded systems are gradually becoming the core technology of smart factories and will play an essential role in the future industrial structure.
Embedded systems of the future
In the future, the scope of application of embedded systems will continue to expand. For example, smart home appliances, wearable devices, and various devices that incorporate Internet of Things (IoT) technology are being created with the development of embedded systems. Smart home appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, autonomously collect data and provide users with optimised comfort through efficient energy management. Wearable devices are also advancing in various areas, such as monitoring the health status of users in real time and providing personalised health care by analysing their exercise patterns and sleep status.
Embedded systems are not just enhancing the performance of existing electronic devices, but are changing our daily lives with the emergence of new technologies. In the future, embedded systems will be applied to not only more electronic devices, but also to non-electronic objects, making them more powerful and smarter.
