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Embedded Systems

Computer Systems Organization

The field concerned with computer systems built into a larger device to perform a dedicated function, typically under real-time constraints, rather than serving as a general-purpose computer. The Apollo Guidance Computer, developed around 1965 by Charles Stark Draper's team at the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory, is commonly cited as the first recognizably modern embedded system; the Autonetics D-17 guidance computer for the Minuteman missile, released in 1961 and mass-produced, came earlier but is usually described in qualitative rather than priority terms, an early example rather than the field's own founding machine. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Disputed
Origin Year
1961 1
The Autonetics D-17 (1961, Minuteman missile guidance, mass-produced) predates the more commonly cited Apollo Guidance Computer (circa 1965), which sources describe as the first RECOGNIZABLY MODERN embedded system rather than the first one outright; the field has no single undisputed founding year.
Core Concern
Designing a computer system as a dedicated component of a larger device, under constraints (real-time response, fixed memory, power budget) that a general-purpose computer does not usually face. 1
Connections

Associated With

Computer Architecture, Fields
Source Wikipedia: Embedded system
Cyber-Physical Systems, Fields
Source Wikipedia: Cyber-physical system
Internet of Things, Fields
Source Wikipedia: Internet of things
Reconfigurable Computing, Fields
Robotics, Fields
Source Wikipedia: Embedded system

Includes

Arnold Spielberg, Pioneers
Source Arnold Spielberg, Wikipedia
C++, Programming Languages
Source Wikipedia: Embedded system
Circular Buffer, Concepts
David Atienza, Pioneers
Source David Atienza, Wikipedia
eCos, Systems
Source Wikipedia: eCos
Edward A. Lee, Pioneers
Source Edward A. Lee (Wikipedia)
Finite State Machine, Concepts
Source Wikipedia: Embedded system
Hermann Kopetz, Pioneers
Source Hermann Kopetz (Wikipedia)
Kang G. Shin, Pioneers
Source Kang G. Shin (Wikipedia)
Krishna Palem, Pioneers
Source Krishna Palem (Wikipedia)
Ladder logic, Programming Languages
Source Ladder logic (Wikipedia)
Luca Carloni, Pioneers
Source Luca Carloni (Wikipedia)
Rajesh K. Gupta, Pioneers
Source Rajesh K. Gupta (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Embedded system
Wikimedia Foundation
  • History section
    An early mass-produced embedded system was the Autonetics D-17 guidance computer for the Minuteman missile, released in 1961
  • Lead section
    An embedded system is a specialized computer system-a combination of a computer processor, computer memory, and input/output peripheral devices-that has a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electronic system.
  • Includes: Finite State Machine, Tools section
    Modeling and code generating tools often based on state machines
  • Includes: C++, Tools section
    Embedded software often requires a variety of development tools, including programming languages such as C++, Rust, or Python
View the Source
Wikipedia: Cyber-physical system
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Cyber-Physical Systems, Overview section
Quote, Associated With: Cyber-Physical Systems, Overview section
The process control is often referred to as embedded systems. In embedded systems, the emphasis tends to be more on the computational elements, and less on an intense link between the computational and physical elements.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Internet of things
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Internet of Things, Lead section, para 2
Quote, Associated With: Internet of Things, Lead section, para 2
The field has evolved due to the convergence of multiple technologies, including ubiquitous computing, sensors, embedded systems, and machine learning.
View the Source
Arnold Spielberg, Wikipedia
Includes: Arnold Spielberg, Lead
Quote, Includes: Arnold Spielberg, Lead
He was instrumental in contributions to "real-time data acquisition and recording that significantly contributed to the definition of modern feedback and control processes".
View the Source
Hermann Kopetz (Wikipedia)
Includes: Hermann Kopetz, Lead
Quote, Includes: Hermann Kopetz, Lead
He was named an IEEE Fellow in 1994 for contributions to fault-tolerant, real-time systems.
View the Source
Kang G. Shin (Wikipedia)
Includes: Kang G. Shin, Lead
Quote, Includes: Kang G. Shin, Lead
He is also the founding director of the Real-Time Computing Laboratory (RTCL).
View the Source
Ladder logic (Wikipedia)
Includes: Ladder logic, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Ladder logic, Introduction
Ladder logic is used to develop software for programmable logic controllers (PLCs) used in industrial control applications.
View the Source
Rajesh K. Gupta (Wikipedia)
Includes: Rajesh K. Gupta, Lead paragraphView the Source
Wikipedia: eCos
Includes: eCos, Lead paragraphView the Source
Luca Carloni (Wikipedia)
Includes: Luca Carloni, Infobox field and known_for, lead paragraphView the Source
Krishna Palem (Wikipedia)
Includes: Krishna Palem, Infobox field and known_for, lead paragraphView the Source
David Atienza, Wikipedia
Includes: David Atienza, Lead
Quote, Includes: David Atienza, Lead
He is a full professor of electrical and computer engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Associate Vice President of Research Centers and Platforms, and the head of the Embedded Systems Laboratory (ESL).
View the Source
Edward A. Lee (Wikipedia)
Includes: Edward A. Lee, Lead
Quote, Includes: Edward A. Lee, Lead
Lee works in the areas of cyber-physical systems, embedded systems, and the semantics of programming languages.
View the Source
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