Intel Flash Memory Family

What are Embedded Design Products?

Whether using a cellular phone, sending a message through a fax machine or driving a car, consumers use hundreds of tiny computers every day. These “computers” are hidden, or embedded, into thousands of products. Almost every product today powered by electricity or batteries contains one or more of these hidden computers -- also referred to as embedded controllers.

The embedded controllers are programmed by the manufacturer to do the same task over and over, which differientiates them from the more obvious mainframe, minicomputer or desktop personal computers. Thus, the embedded controller in a pager, CD Rom player or car’s engine controls the function of that unit and nothing else. In comparison, the components, or chips, that operate a personal computer can be reprogrammed to handle different tasks, such as word processing or financial spreadsheets.

Intel and the computer industry have defined two types of embedded controllers: microcontrollers and microprocessors. Microcontrollers have processing ability, program memory and input/output capability on-chip. Integration of these functions generally means that the chip can respond to external signals in real time, a function known as event control.

Applications for microcontrollers include voice messaging systems, in which the microcontroller enables voice compression, decompression and encryption; and automotive anti-lock braking systems, which must instantly and continuously process data collected from the automobile’s wheel speed sensors.

Microprocessors, on the other hand, are designed to handle programs with large amounts of data. Less on-chip space is devoted to memory, since microprocessor-based systems rely on off-chip memory to run a program. An example of a large data control application would be a copy machine. The processor controls the copier’s prompts, determining paper size, the number of copies, whether to collate copies, reducing or enlarging originals and other features. The processor then communicates information input by the operator to the appropriate mechanisms within the machine.

The copy machine also illustrates the difference between microprocessors and microcontrollers. Microcontrollers in the copier control the mechanical actions of the copier’s parts as dictated by input from microprocessors, such as motor speed, stapler timing and the copier flash tube.

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