Embedded software

Embedded software is computer software, written to control machines or devices that are not typically thought of as computers. It is typically specialized for the particular hardware that it runs on and has time and memory constraints. This term is sometimes used interchangeably with firmware, although firmware can also be applied to ROM-based code on a computer, on top of which the OS runs, whereas embedded software is typically the only software on the device in question.

Manufacturers 'build in' embedded software in the electronics in cars, telephones, modems, robots, appliances, toys, security systems, pacemakers, televisions and set-top boxes, and digital watches, for example. This software can be very simple, such as lighting controls running on an 8-bit microprocessor and a few kilobytes of memory, or can become very sophisticated in applications such as airplanes, missiles, and process control systems.

Unlike standard computers that use only a few operating systems (MacOS, Windows and to some extent, Linux), embedded software comes in a wide variety of operating systems, typically a real-time operating system.

Most consumers are familiar with Application software that provide functionality on a computer. Embedded software however is often less visible, but no less complicated. Unlike application software, embedded software has fixed hardware requirements and capabilities, addition of 3rd-party hardware or software is strictly controlled.

Embedded software needs to include all needed device drivers at manufacturing time, and the device drivers are written for the specific hardware. The software is highly dependent on the CPU and specific chips chosen. Most embedded software engineers have at least a passing knowledge of reading schematics, and reading data sheets for components to determine usage of registers and communication system.

1. Find the English equivalents in the text:

Конкретне устаткування (апаратне забезпечення), обмеження у пам’яті, використовуватися як синонім (взаємозамінно), постійний запам’ятовувальний пристрій, прилад, кардіостимулятор, приставка, уравління освітленням, ракети, на відміну від, певною мірою, фіксовані вимоги до апаратного забезпечення, час виробництва (виготовлення), бути у значній мірі залежним від.

2. Translate the following terms and terminological expressions:

Firmware, ROM-based code, to build in, security system, digital watch, real-time operating system, a consumer, to be strictly controlled, device driver, reading data sheets, to determine usage of registers.

Дата добавления: 2015-08-21