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Whenever the word microprocessor is referred, it conjures up a picture of a desktop or laptop computer running an application such as a word processor or a spreadsheet. While this is a standard application for microprocessors, it is not the only one and the fact is most people use them indirectly in common objects and appliances without realising it. Without the microprocessor, these products would not be as sophisticated or cheap as they are today. The embedding of computers into equipment and consumer appliances started before the appearance of the PC and consumes the majority of microprocessors that are made today. In this way, embedded microprocessors are more deeply ingrained into everyday life than any other electronic circuit that is made. A large car may have over 50 microprocessors controlling functions such as the engine through engine management systems, brakes with electronic anti-lock brakes, transmission with traction control and electronically controlled gearboxes, safety with airbag systems, electric windows, air-conditioning and so on. With a well-equipped car, nearly every aspect has some form of electronic control associated with it and thus a need for a microprocessor within an embedded system.
A washing machine may have a simple microcontroller that contains the different washing programs, provides the power control for the various motors and pumps and even controls the display that tells you how the wash cycles are proceeding. Mobile phones contain more processing power than a desktop processor of a few years ago. Many toys contain microprocessors and there are even kitchen appliances such as bread machines that use microprocessor-based control systems. The word control is very apt for embedded systems because in virtually every embedded system application, the goal is to control an aspect of a physical system such as temperature, motion, and so on using a variety of inputs. With the recent advent of the digital age replacing many of the analogue technologies in the consumer world, the dominance of the embedded system is ever greater. Each digital consumer device such as a digital camera, DVD or MP3 player all depend on an embedded system to realise the system. As a result, the skills behind embedded systems design are as diverse as the systems that have been built although they share a common heritage.
There are many definitions for this but the best way to define it is to describe it in terms of what it is not and with examples of how it is used.
An embedded system is a microprocessor-based system that is built to control a function or range of functions and is not designed to be programmed by the end user in the same way that a PC is. Yes, a user can make choices concerning functionality but cannot change the functionality of the system by adding/replacing software. With a personal computer, this is exactly what a user can do: one minute the PC is a word processor and the next it’s a games machine simply by changing the software. An embedded system is designed to perform one particular task albeit with choices and different options. The last point is essential because it differentiates itself from the world of the PC where the end user does reprogram it whenever a different software package is bought and run. However, PCs have provided an easily accessible source of hardware and software for embedded systems and it should be no surprise that they form the basis of many embedded systems. To reflect this, there are many free microcontroller projects to build a simple hobby gadget or a sophisticated data logging system for a race car.
If this need to control the physical world is so great, what is so special about embedded systems that has led to the widespread use of microprocessors? There are several major reasons and these have increased over the years as the technology has progressed and developed.
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Tags: Embedded System
Posted in Hardware · August 23rd, 2010 · Comments (0)
In general, it is difficult to say which computer component is most important. Probably there is no such component. Every part is required to perform some task otherwise we wouldn’t need it. But there is one difference. With some computer components we have direct contact. One of such components is monitor. Computer monitor communicates with us in a very special way. It displays all the information about the status of the computer as well as windows of currently active applications. Therefore, it is important that this computer component is cautiously selected and that it displays stable and clear picture.
Currently LCD is the predominant technology for computer monitors. There is no big difference between computer LCD monitors and LCD TV sets. The only major difference is the additional interface electronics that makes a LCD TV set look like a television and LCD monitor to look as computer monitor.
Usually, when buying computers we look at the price tag. This is normal since price ranges can vary significantly. But the price should not be the only parameter upon which we will make a decision. When buying computer monitors we should consider the following:
Main Purpose of Our Computer
We can use the computer as office tool, gaming machine, designer’s drawing board, or a combination of listed and also other purposes. Each purpose needs emphasis on a different parameter. For example, designers working in desktop publishing need large desktops and realistic color reproductions, games need monitors with fast response, etc. The first step in choosing monitor is to define the main purpose of the computer.
Size
The bigger the better. This simple rule is valid for all computer purposes. With larger working area you will easily work with many applications at the same time. Application windows will not be squeezed to small cluttered rectangles, the taskbar will look as a nice informative bar and not like a bar with many small buttons, on the desktop you will be able to put more icons for frequently used programs, etc. Because all LCD monitors are flat there will be no problem with the space on the table. So the only disadvantage with large monitors is maybe higher price.
Resolution
Again, the bigger the better. The resolution tells us how many pixels or points the monitor can display. More pixels means larger monitor or smaller image dots. A typical resolution for multipurpose computer is 1920×1200 pixels. It allows comfortable work with office programs, web browsing and also good experience with CAD programs.
Interfaces
Almost all computer LCD monitors have DVI input. This is standard for computer graphics cards. If we intend to connect multimedia devices we also need a HDMI input. Many monitors have also built-in USB hubs. This is very convenient to connect keyboard, mouse and external disks. Some computer monitors have also a TV tuner which converts them into a real TV set.
Choosing computer monitor is not a simple task even if you know what to look for. For more tips and hints you can visit the computer LCD monitors website which provides few basic facts about computer LCD monitors. Perhaps the most important fact you should remember is that you will be staring for hours into this flat panel. Make sure it will look pretty.
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Tags: computer LCD monitors
Posted in Hardware · August 21st, 2010 · Comments (0)