Embedded Systems – Introduction to IoT and Embedded Systems

Written By The IoT Academy
Published on April 10th, 2023
Updated on January 18, 2024

The fast progress of technology has obscured the lines between different sectors. This is especially noticeable in IoT-embedded systems. Here, IoT and embedded systems have become mixtures to represent the same term. However, an embedded system and IoT are two different technologies, even though they have some resemblances. The first time in 1965 it was employed in a missile-guided system. An IoT-embedded system is expressed as a system that has internet linkage and can communicate with different IoT-embedded systems.

You are surrounded by the internet and using IoT-embedded systems in your daily life. You are using Point-of-sale terminals and parking meters in your daily life. Set-top boxes and all smart devices like fitness trackers, smartwatches, and smart refrigerators are IoT-embedded system examples.

This blog is your gateway to the deep introduction to the internet of things and embedded systems that drive innovation across industries.

Table of Contents

What is IoT Technology?

IoT means the Internet of Things and is considered as the interconnected type of devices that you use daily. The Internet of Things (IoT) represents the web of material objects that are embedded with software, sensors, and other technologies. The purpose of this integration is to connect and exchange information with other appliances over the internet. Nowadays, smart gadgets can link to the internet or to other devices to support everyday actions. Suppose, a smart fridge can notice the items and their expiry dates to provide information to the owner. This is a specific application for IoT in daily life.

Overview of Embedded System

An embedded system is a small computer that was made for a customized objective. In general, these computers use a microcontroller or microprocessor. These are integrated circuit (IC) chips having I/O hardware, memory, and processor. Microcontrollers are compact integrated circuits that function as the brains of embedded systems. They are specialized computing devices designed to execute specific tasks within a larger system. The explanatory factor of an embedded system is that it can perform some kind of digital processing. This is how it is different from plain hardware devices that include only some circuitry and maybe a battery.

How IoT Technology is Different From Embedded Systems?

An embedded system does not necessarily require an internet connection, but an IoT embedded system always with the internet. The difference between IoT and an embedded system is the embedded system is considered a part of IoT. Embedded systems without IoT were not capable of connecting to the internet. So, IoT-embedded systems commonly enclose a more comprehensive range of devices. Let’s understand the difference between IoT and embedded system point-wise:

The dissimilarity between IoT and the embedded system is the availability and unavailability of connectivity. Consider a pacemaker, it is an embedded system. But once that instrument can communicate with an outside device like transmitting heart-rate data it is called an IoT embedded system.
IoT relates more to a type of device that means the newly connected world. But an embedded system related to the hardware employed in these devices.
The IoT system requires connectivity support. The capability of an Embedded system to connect with other devices differentiates plain embedded systems from IoT embedded systems.
Every IoT application is integrated with an embedded system as part of it, the so-called IoT embedded system. Initially, there was an embedded system available, and then the features of connectivity came to make it an IoT device.
Embedded systems can be highly complex in themselves like their application in robotic technology employed for warehouses or in manufacturing divisions. But once that device can sync and connect with other IoT-embedded systems, it can be used for multiple purposes.
The discrepancy between IoT embedded systems and embedded systems is one has the ability and the other cannot communicate.

What are the Different Types of Embedded Systems?

An embedded system may be a standalone system or a segment of a larger system. It is mainly planned for a special purpose or process within a bigger system. In general, embedded systems are of three types:

1. Small-Scale

This system can be developed with an 8 or 16-bit microcontroller. It can be worked with a battery. For creating a small-scale embedded system, mostly cross-assembler, assembler, an editor, and IDE programming tools are used.

2. Medium Scale

It is developed with 16 or 32-bit microcontrollers. It delivers both software and hardware complexity. To build this type of system C, source code, C++, Java, and other engineering tools, are used.

3. Sophisticated Embedded Systems

This type of system involves lots of software and hardware complexity. You may need configuration processors, IPS, scalable processors, PLAs, and ASIPS. For the creation of this system, you require software and hardware co-design & elements that need to combine in the final system.

Characteristics of Embedded Systems

To understand it deeply, you have to go through the important characteristics of embedded systems. Let’s explore this in detail:

Every embedded system has a separate purpose. In their whole lifetime, they consistently perform the same task.
They are designed to accomplish the job within a certain period. So, it must act fast enough.
They have almost no user interface. A fully automatic washing machine works according to its program setting.
Few embedded systems are created to respond to exterior stimulants and react consequently.
They are made to perform at specific efficiency levels. They are small in size, require less power, and are not too costly.
Embedded systems cannot be modified or upgraded by the users. Thus they must be available with very high reliability. They are expected to perform for long durations without any difficulties.

Our Learners Also Read: What are the benefits of learning Embedded systems with IoT?

Conclusion

IoT-Embedded Systems are now available everywhere. IoT-embedded systems connect so many aspects of life. Today, nobody can imagine a life without IoT-embedded systems. They have evolved into an essential part of human lives though they are created to work with minimal human involvement. Factors like simple structure, small size, and low expense, make them very popular. These systems, today, play an essential part in many machines, appliances, and instruments. The major benefit of an Embedded System as it covers a broad variety of environments. The major disadvantage is that it needs time to reach the market.

About The Author:

The IoT Academy

The IoT Academy as a reputed ed-tech training institute is imparting online / Offline training in emerging technologies such as Data Science, Machine Learning, IoT, Deep Learning, and more. We believe in making revolutionary attempt in changing the course of making online education accessible and dynamic.