Embedded Systems Jobs in Lagos, Nigeria

What is an Embedded System? 

An embedded system is a combination of computer hardware and software designed for a specific function. Embedded systems may also function within a larger system. The systems can be programmable or have a fixed functionality. Industrial machines, consumer electronics, agricultural and processing industry devices, automobiles, medical equipment, cameras, digital watches, household appliances, airplanes, vending machines and toys, as well as mobile devices, are possible locations for an embedded system.

While embedded systems are computing systems, they can range from having no user interface (UI) -- for example, on devices designed to perform a single task -- to complex graphical user interfaces (GUIs), such as in mobile devices. User interfaces can include buttons, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and touchscreen sensing. Some systems use remote user interfaces as well.

Examples of embedded systems

Embedded systems are used in a wide range of technologies across an array of industries. Some examples include:

1. Automobiles: Modern cars commonly consist of many computers (sometimes as many as 100), or embedded systems, designed to perform different tasks within the vehicle. Some of these systems perform basic utility functions and others provide entertainment or user-facing functions. Some embedded systems in consumer vehicles include cruise control, backup sensors, suspension control, navigation systems and airbag systems.

2. Mobile phones. These consist of many embedded systems, including GUI software and hardware, operating systems (OSes), cameras, microphones, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) I/O (input/output) modules.

3. Industrial machines. They can contain embedded systems, like sensors, and can be embedded systems themselves. Industrial machines often have embedded automation systems that perform specific monitoring and control functions.

4. Medical equipment. These may contain embedded systems like sensors and control mechanisms. Medical equipment, such as industrial machines, also must be very user-friendly so that human health isn't jeopardized by preventable machine mistakes. This means they'll often include a more complex OS and GUI designed for an appropriate UI.

Characteristics of embedded systems

• They are task specific.

• Typically consist of hardware, software and firmware

• Can be embedded in a larger system to perform a specific function, as they are built for specialized tasks within the system, not various tasks

• Can be either microprocessor-based or microcontroller-based -- both are integrated circuits that give the system compute power

• Are often used for sensing and real-time computing in internet of things (IoT) devices, which are devices that are internet-connected and do not require a user to operate

• Can vary in complexity and in function, which affects the type of software, firmware and hardware they use

• Are often required to perform their function under a time constraint to keep the larger system functioning properly.

Types of embedded systems

1. Mobile embedded systems are small-sized systems that are designed to be portable. Digital cameras are an example of this.

2. Networked embedded systems are connected to a network to provide output to other systems. Examples include home security systems and point of sale (POS) systems.

3. Standalone embedded systems are not reliant on a host system. Like any embedded system, they perform a specialized task. However, they do not necessarily belong to a host system, unlike other embedded systems. A calculator or MP3 player is an example of this.

4. Real-time embedded systems give the required output in a defined time interval. They are often used in medical, industrial and military sectors because they are responsible for time-critical tasks. A traffic control system is an example of this.