Programming Embedded Systems in C and C++

What Is an Embedded System? 3

The microprocessor was an overnight success, and its use increased steadily over the

next decade. Early embedded applications included unmanned space probes, com-

puterized traffic lights, and aircraft flight control systems. In the 1980s, embedded

systems quietly rode the waves of the microcomputer age and brought micropro-

cessors into every part of our personal and professional lives. Many of the elec-

tronic devices in our kitchens (bread machines, food processors, and microwave

ovens), living rooms (televisions, stereos, and remote controls), and workplaces

(fax machines, pagers, laser printers, cash registers, and credit card readers) are

embedded systems.

It seems inevitable that the number of embedded systems will continue to increase

rapidly. Already there are promising new embedded devices that have enormous

market potential: light switches and thermostats that can be controlled by a cen-

tral computer, intelligent air-bag systems that don’t inflate when children or small

adults are present, palm-sized electronic organizers and personal digital assistants

(PDAs), digital cameras, and dashboard navigation systems. Clearly, individuals

who possess the skills and desire to design the next generation of embedded sys-

tems will be in demand for quite some time.

Real-Time Systems

One subclass of embedded systems is worthy of an introduction at this point. As

commonly ...