Embedded Systems

Which of the following best describes an embedded system?

• A general-purpose computer designed for multiple tasks

• A specialized computing system designed for specific tasks

• A software application used in data processing

• A hardware device that functions without software

What was one of the earliest and most famous examples of an embedded system?

• The ENIAC computer

• The Apple II

• The Apollo Guidance Computer

• The Intel 4004 microprocessor

"An _______ system is a specialized computing system designed to perform dedicated tasks within a larger device or system

Which platform is commonly used to build small embedded systems projects?

• VMware

• Microsoft Azure

• Arduino

• Google Cloud

In the context of IoT, how do embedded systems primarily contribute?

• By enabling devices to perform specific tasks while interacting with other devices

• By replacing general-purpose computers in all applications

• By eliminating the need for internet connectivity in smart devices

• By reducing the overall cost of manufacturing

What is a primary challenge when designing embedded systems for life-critical applications like pacemakers?

• Increasing the speed of processing

• Maximizing battery life at all costs

• Ensuring both reliability and safety

• Reducing the cost of components

Which decade saw the rise of microcontrollers, making embedded systems more widespread?

• 2000s

• 1980s

• 1970s

• 1960s

What is one potential downside of shifting from cloud computing to edge computing in embedded systems?

• Increased reliance on the internet

• Potential limitations in processing power and storage

• Decreased data privacy

• Reduced device connectivity

What is a primary challenge when designing embedded systems for life-critical applications like pacemakers?

• Increasing the speed of processing

• Maximizing battery life at all costs

• Ensuring both reliability and safety

• Reducing the cost of components

ABC Manufacturing is a company that produces industrial machinery used in factories worldwide. Recently, they decided to upgrade their machinery to incorporate smart features, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. They chose to use embedded systems to collect data from various sensors, such as temperature, vibration, and pressure, to improve the performance and reliability of their machines.

The engineering team faced a challenge: the machines operated in harsh environments, with high temperatures and significant electromagnetic interference. They needed to ensure that the embedded systems could withstand these conditions while maintaining accurate data collection and processing. The team had to choose between using a standard microcontroller that was inexpensive but less robust or a more costly, ruggedized microcontroller designed for harsh environments.

After much deliberation, the team decided to invest in the ruggedized microcontroller, believing that the long-term benefits of reliability and reduced maintenance costs would outweigh the initial higher expense.
Question:

What was the primary reason ABC Manufacturing chose the ruggedized microcontroller over the standard microcontroller?

• To reduce the initial costs of upgrading their machinery

• To ensure reliability and accurate data collection in harsh environments

• To increase the processing speed of the embedded systems

• To simplify the installation process of the embedded systems