embedded system
<computer> Hardware and software which forms a component of some larger
system and which is expected to function without human intervention.
A typical embedded system consists of a single-board microcomputer with software
in ROM, which starts running some special purpose application program as soon as
it is turned on and will not stop until it is turned off (if ever).
An embedded system may include some kind of operating system but often it will
be simple enough to be written as a single program. It will not usually have any
of the normal peripherals such as a keyboard, monitor, serial connections, mass
storage, etc. or any kind of user interface software unless these are required
by the overall system of which it is a part. Often it must provide real-time
response.
Usenet newsgroup: comp.arch.embedded.
(1995-04-12)
Nearby terms:
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