1. Embedded systems

1.1 General features

Embedded systems can be defined as follows:

"An embedded system employs a combination of hardware and software (a computing unit) to perform a specific function; is part of a larger system that may not be a computer; operates in a reactive environment with time constraints. Software provides functionality and flexibility. Hardware (e.g. processors, ASICs, memory...) provides performance and sometimes security ."

Embedded systems typically have the following features