diff --git a/website/tutorials/01-embedded-basics.md b/website/tutorials/01-embedded-basics.md index 50ff712..14b5ef1 100644 --- a/website/tutorials/01-embedded-basics.md +++ b/website/tutorials/01-embedded-basics.md @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ In this tutorial, you'll learn the absolute basics of the embedded world: ## Contents -- What are embedded systems? +- [What are embedded systems?](#what-are-embedded-systems) - Electronics 101 - Current, voltage, power and all - Diodes, Resistors, Capacitors @@ -17,4 +17,25 @@ In this tutorial, you'll learn the absolute basics of the embedded world: - Bus Systems - UART - SPI - - I²C / TWI \ No newline at end of file + - I²C / TWI + +## What are embedded systems? + +Wikipedia does a good job defining embedded systems with this opener: + +> An embedded system is a 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 electrical system. + +So at the end of the day, if you are adding any sort of computation to some object who's main purpose is not being a computer, it's an embedded system. + +Some examples of Embedded systems: +- cars +- industrial control systems +- mars rovers + +### Real time + +An important characteristic that's often required for an embedded system is "real time". +This is simply the ability for the system to respond to an input within a hard deadline, Eg. automatic breaks for a car. +A general operating system like Linux is not suitable for these applications because it uses time sharing when scheduling tasks/programs, and unreliably responds to important signals. + +