Embedded technology is crucial in IoT applications. However, at least 60% of people don't understand what embedded technology is. The advent of the IoT era has led to unprecedented development in embedded technology, whether in industry applications, the explosion of smart hardware, or big data.
In simple terms, embedded technology is an application-centric, computer technology-based, and customizable hardware and software dedicated computer system technology suitable for application systems with strict requirements on functionality, reliability, cost, size, and power consumption. An embedded system is a complete computer system including both hardware and software. It is defined as: "An embedded system is an application-centric, computer technology-based, and customizable hardware and software dedicated computer system suitable for application systems with strict requirements on functionality, reliability, cost, size, and power consumption." The computer used in an embedded system is a dedicated microprocessor embedded in the controlled object. However, its functions are more specialized than those of a general-purpose computer, possessing features that general-purpose computers cannot, such as specially designed processing speeds, high reliability, and lower comparative costs.
To give a simple example, your smartphone is actually an embedded system. Its system configuration includes hardware such as storage, CPU, and battery, but considering power consumption, the system is specifically customized for smartphones. Imagine if smartphones still used desktop computer CPUs; the final product would weigh tens of kilograms. Would anyone buy such a phone? Therefore, an embedded system is a system customized to meet specific product requirements.
Embedded technology originated from microcontroller technology and is the core of various digital electronic and electromechanical products. It is mainly used to control, monitor, or manage hardware devices. In the 21st century, approximately 90% of computer applications across all industries will involve embedded development. The global embedded software market has an annual growth rate exceeding 12.5%, and the annual industrial output value generated by embedded systems reaches one trillion US dollars. The embedded software industry is expected to maintain a compound annual growth rate of over 40% in the next three years.
A mature embedded engineer basically needs to understand application development and low-level development, which of course encompasses much more. The application prospects of embedded systems are very broad, and Timon Technology is more involved in embedded system control in industrial fields.
Industrial Embedded System Applications
Industrial automation equipment based on embedded chips will experience significant growth. Currently, a large number of 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit embedded microcontrollers are already in use. Networking is a major way to improve production efficiency and product quality while reducing manpower, in applications such as industrial process control, digital machine tools, power systems, power grid security, power grid equipment monitoring, and petrochemical systems. Traditionally, low-end industrial control products often use 8-bit microcontrollers. However, with technological advancements, 32-bit and 64-bit processors are gradually becoming the core of industrial control equipment and are poised for substantial growth in the coming years.
Industrial equipment constitutes the largest category of electromechanical products. Industrial control computers (ICCs) are widely used in current industrial control equipment. These ICCs typically employ industrial-grade processors and various devices, with x86 MPUs being the most common. Industrial control often has high requirements, necessitating diverse device interfaces. Besides real-time control, they must also display equipment status and sensor information on a screen in real time. These requirements cannot be met by 8-bit microcontrollers. Previously, 16-bit processors were predominantly used; however, with the rapid development of processors, 32-bit and 64-bit processors have gradually replaced 16-bit processors, further improving system performance. Systems using the PC104 bus are small, stable, and reliable, making them popular among many users. However, these ICCs often use DOS or Windows systems, and while they possess embedded characteristics, they cannot be considered purely embedded systems. In contrast, industrial controllers and equipment controllers are dominated by various embedded processors. These controllers often use processors of 16 bits or more, with various MCUs, Arm, MIPS, and 68K series processors occupying a core position. These processors offer abundant interface bus resources, enabling data acquisition, data processing, communication, and display (typically via LEDs or LCDs). Recently, Philips and ARM jointly launched a 32-bit RISC embedded controller suitable for industrial control. Employing state-of-the-art 0.18-micron CMOS embedded flash memory processing technology, it operates at voltages as low as 1.2 volts and reduces manufacturing costs by 25% to 30%, making it a highly cost-effective solution for end-users in the industrial sector.
Embedded technology is particularly important in industrial control, serving as a core component of the control process. Timon Technology continuously optimizes embedded systems, striving to create high-performance, highly reliable, and non-traditional industrial control devices for its users.
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