Word of the Day: embedded device

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms | April 25, 2014

embedded device An embedded device is an object that contains a special-purpose computing system. The system, which is completely enclosed by the object, may or may not be able to connect to the Internet. Embedded systems have extensive applications in consumer, commercial, automotive, industrial and healthcare markets. Generally, an embedded device's operating system will only run a single application which helps the device to do its job. Examples of embedded devices include dishwashers, banking ATM machines, routers, point of sale terminals (POS terminals) and cell phones. Devices that can connect to the Internet are called smart or intelligent. If an embedded device can not connect to the Internet, it is called dumb. Embedded devices in complex manufactured products, such as automobiles, are often headless. This simply means that the device's software does not have a user interface (UI). In such cases, an in-circuit emulator (ICE) is temporarily installed between the embedded device and an external computer to debug or update the software. Because embedded systems have limited computing resources and strict power requirements, writing software for embedded devices is a very specialized field that requires knowledge of both hardware components and programming. Quote of the Day "People never really wanted computers. They just wanted what computers could do for them." -- Alasdair Allan   Fun Fact It's estimated that by 2015, over 15 billion embedded devices will be connected to the Internet, a phenomenon commonly referred to as the Internet of Things. Related Terms Related Terms system on a chip ubiquitous computing wearable computer smart dust (motes) in-circuit emulator state diagram Related Tags Software Security Testing and Quality Assurance   Required Reading Eliciting and analyzing embedded systems requirements To analyze functional requirements and design embedded systems, developers often use state diagrams, also known as state machines. Securing the Internet of Things Despite the promise of the Internet of Things, history will repeat itself unless we take action. Reassessing embedded systems security Can your printer be a security threat? Expert Nick Lewis explains. Stay In Touch FOLLOW WHATIS.COM     CONTACT US For feedback about any of our definitions or to send us ideas for new definitions, please contact us at: editor@techtarget.com About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2013 TechTarget. All rights reserved.