Embedded Systems

Description:

An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system, which is completely encapsulated by the device it controls. An embedded system has specific requirements and performs pre-defined tasks, unlike a general-purpose personal computer.They run the computing devices hidden inside an every day product or piece of equipment such as digital cameras, mobile phones, microwave ovens and also portable game consoles, satellites and advanced military and medical equipment.

Enablers:

• Invention of transistors
• Invention of micro processors
• Invention of integrated circuits
• Mobility (portable gaming)
• Need for more functionality
• Software delevopment tools
• Moore's law (increasing processing power)

Inhibitors:

• The increasing complexity to develop chips (productivity gap)
• The increasing power density
• Power Dissipation
• Evolution of the EDA Industry (Unavailable EDA Tools)

Experts:

Dr. Ir. Bart Kienhuis, Leiden Embedded Research Center
Intel