Embedded systems have varied applications for example, they are used in smart cards, computer networking, digital consumer electronics, telecommunications, satellites, just to name a few.
We may classify embedded systems applications into 3 categories:
Small scale embedded systems
Medium scale embedded systems
Sophisticated embedded systems
Examples of small scale embedded applications include:
Keyboard controller.
SD, MMI and network access cards.
The peripheral controllers of a computer for instance, a keyboard controller, a DRAM controller, a DMA controller, a printer controller, a laser printer controller, a LAN controller, a disk drive controller, a CRT display controller, etc.
Washing and cooking systems.
Remote (controller) of TV.
CD drive or hard disk drive controller.
Multitasking toys.
Point of sales terminals such as automatic chocolate vending machine.
Fax or photocopy or printer or scanner machine.
Digital consumer electronics such as DVDs, Set top boxes, High definition TVs, Digital cameras, etc.
Motor control systems, for instance, the accurate control of speed and position of the dc motor, robot and CNC machine. Automatic applications such as closed loop engine control, dynamic ride control and antilock braking system monitor.
Robotics in assembly line.
Automobile systems: Engine/body safety, car entertainment, car multimedia,
Stepper motor controllers for robotics system.
Microcontroller-based single or multi-display panel meter for voltage, current, resistance, and frequency.
Electronic data acquisition and supervisory control system.
Electronic instruments such as an industrial process controller.
Electronic smart weight display system and an industrial moisture recorder or controller.
Spectrum analyzer.
Biomedical systems such as an ECG LCD display/recorder, a blood cell recorder/analyzer, patient monitoring system, etc.
Digital storage system for a signal wave form or for electric or water meter reading system.
Telephone with memory, display and other complex features.
Some of the examples of medium scale embedded systems applications include:
Banking systems such as bank ATM and credit card transactions.
Entertainment systems such as a video game and music system.
Computer networking systems for example, a router, a front-end processor in a server, a switch, a bridge, a hub, and a gateway.
Signal tracking systems, for instance, an automatic signal tracker and a target tracker.
Communication systems such as a mobile communication SIM card, a numeric pager, a cellular phone, a cable TV terminal, and a FAX transceiver with or without a graphic accelerator.
Image filtering, image processing, pattern recognizer, speech processing, and video processing.
A personal information manager using frame buffers in handheld devices.
Examples of Sophisticated Embedded Systems Applications are listed as follows:
Embedded systems for wireless LAN and for convergent technology devices.
Embedded systems for video, interactive video, broadband IPv6, real time video and speech or multimedia processing systems.
Smartphones and mobile computing systems.
Embedded interface and networking systems employing high speed (400 MHz and more), ultra-high speed (10 Gbps) and a large bandwidth: Routers, LANs, switches, gateways, SANs (Storage Area Networks), WANs (Wide Area Networks).
John Mulindi has a background in a technical field and he writes on topics ranging from automation, computer systems, embedded systems, mechatronics to measurement and control.