Household Appliances:
- Washing Machine: Controls water temperature, spin speed, cycle timing
- Microwave: Controls heating time, power level, automatic defrost
- Smart Thermostat: Maintains room temperature, learns your schedule
- Digital Watch: Keeps time, counts steps, monitors heart rate
Transportation:
- Car Engine Management: Controls fuel injection, ignition timing, emissions
- ABS Brakes: Prevents wheel lock-up during emergency braking (must respond in milliseconds!)
- Airbag System: Detects collision and deploys airbag in 30 milliseconds
- Traffic Lights: Controls light sequences, responds to traffic sensors
Entertainment:
- TV Remote Control: Sends infrared signals when buttons pressed
- Games Console Controller: Reads button presses, joystick movements
- Digital Camera: Controls focus, exposure, image processing
Medical Devices:
- Pacemaker: Regulates heartbeat (must be 100% reliable!)
- Insulin Pump: Delivers precise doses of insulin
- MRI Scanner: Controls magnetic field, processes scan data
This key facts covers Real-World Examples of Embedded Systems within Embedded Systems for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Embedded Systems in 3.4 Computer Systems for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 5 of 8 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Embedded Systems
Which of the following best describes an embedded system?
Explain the difference between an embedded system and a general-purpose computer. (3 marks)
Quick recall flashcards
Give 3 examples of embedded systems
Washing machine, microwave, car engine control, traffic lights
What is an embedded system?
Computer with dedicated function built into a larger device