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Embedded software is computer software, written to control machines or devices that are not typically thought of as computers, commonly known as embedded systems. It is typically specialized for the particular hardware that it runs on and has time and memory constraints. [1] This term is sometimes used interchangeably with firmware. [2]
As originally used, firmware contrasted with hardware (the CPU itself) and software (normal instructions executing on a CPU). It was not composed of CPU machine instructions, but of lower-level microcode involved in the implementation of machine instructions. It existed on the boundary between hardware and software; thus the name firmware.
An embedded system on a plug-in card with processor, memory, power supply, and external interfaces. 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.
To communicate with the main computer system, several forms of communication can be used, including ACPI, SMBus, or shared memory. The embedded controller has its own RAM, independent of that used by the main computer system, and often its own flash ROM on which the controller's software is stored. Many BIOS updates also include upgrades for ...
HCI—Human—Computer Interaction; HD—High Density; HDD—Hard Disk Drive; HCL—Hardware Compatibility List; HD DVD—High Definition DVD; HDL—Hardware Description Language; HDMI—High-Definition Multimedia Interface; HECI—Host Embedded Controller Interface; HF—High Frequency; HFS—Hierarchical File System; HHD—Hybrid Hard Drive
The firmware comes pre-installed on the computer's motherboard. The name originates from the Basic Input/Output System used in the CP/M operating system in 1975. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] The BIOS firmware was originally proprietary to the IBM PC ; it was reverse engineered by some companies (such as Phoenix Technologies ) looking to create compatible systems.
On smartphones, tablets, and other devices, an over-the-air update is a firmware or operating system update that is downloaded by the device over the internet. Previously, users had to connect these devices to a computer over USB to perform an update. These updates may add features, patch security vulnerabilities, or fix software bugs.
In embedded systems, a board support package (BSP) is the layer of software containing hardware-specific boot loaders, device drivers and other routines that allow a given embedded operating system, for example a real-time operating system (RTOS), to function in a given hardware environment (a motherboard), integrated with the embedded operating system.