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InTech, Jul 2004

An embedded system is one whose software component is not actively exposed to the user, for example, cell phones or small industrial computers. There is not a defining feature of embedded systems, but they often have smaller memory units, smaller processors, and fewer peripherals such as keyboards. Because they lack the general-purpose nature of desktop computers, you program them as dedicated devices.

Headless: Headless devices are embedded systems without peripherals. Programs easily download to these devices through a network connection. This same network connection often serves as the means of configuring these devices. Although this might seem like a limiting feature, with broadband networks and intelligent application software, you can now create headless devices with a simple pulldown menu.

So, while Windows-based measurement and automation systems satisfy most applications, the determinism of other applications requires a real-time system. You can use existing technology and the deterministic environment of its real-time hardware to create complete, real-time embedded applications. IC

Source: National Instruments (www.ni.com)