Embedded computers exceed microcomputers in number; embedded technology is "dedicated" computer technology, and "dedicated" refers to a specific application, such as networking, communications, etc.; from the academic perspective From the perspective of computer technology, embedded systems are application-centered and special-purpose computer systems based on computer technology.
Recommended: "Programming Video"
What surpasses microcomputers in number is embedded computers.
In layman's terms, embedded technology is "specialized" computer technology. This specialization refers to a specific application, such as for network, for communication, for audio, for video, for industrial control, etc. From an academic point of view, embedded systems are application-centered, based on computer technology, and the software and hardware can be tailored. They are suitable for special computer systems where the application system has strict requirements on function, reliability, cost, volume, and power consumption. It generally consists of four parts: embedded microprocessor, peripheral hardware devices, embedded operating system and user application program.
Mainly understand the concept of embedded systems from three aspects
1. From the hardware perspective. Integrate CPU-based peripheral devices into the CPU chip. For example, in early computers based on the They are all implemented by the external 16C550/2 serial port controller chip, and the current serial port controller chip has long been integrated into the CPU. Some PCs have graphics cards, and most embedded processors have LCD controllers. But in a sense it is equivalent to a graphics card. The relatively high-end IXP network processor CPU under the ARM-like Intel Xscale architecture integrates a PCI controller (can be configured to support 4 PCI slave devices or configure itself as a CPI slave device); it also integrates 3 NPE network processor engines. Two of them correspond to two MAC addresses and can be used for gateway switching, while the other NPE network processor engine supports DSL. As long as a PHY chip is added outside, the DSL Internet function can be realized. The IXP series has a maximum main frequency of 1.8G, supports 2G memory, 1G×10 or 10G×1 Ethernet port or Febre channel optical channel. The IXP series should be the highest processor that is integrated by Intel into an Xscale core based on the ARM system architecture.
2. From a software perspective, the application is selected into the customized operating system kernel, and the kernel is downloaded to the ROM after compilation. The application components selected when customizing the operating system kernel complete the "embedding" of the software. For example, WinCE will have corresponding choices when customizing the kernel, including Wordpad, PDF, MediaPlay, etc. If we choose, After CE starts, you can find these things in the interface. If it is the Windows operating system of the previous PC, most of the things need to be reinstalled.
3. Burning the software kernel or application file system and other things into the ROM in the embedded system hardware platform achieves a true "embedding".
The above definition is my own definition of embedded system that focuses on understanding 6 or 7 years ago. There are many definitions in books, but in this field, no one dares to say My definition is very precise, including those experts and scholars, because after all, embedded systems are a comprehensive subject in the field of computers.
The above is the detailed content of What outnumbers microcomputers. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!