An embedded system is a programmed controlling and operating system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or
electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and
mechanical parts. Embedded systems control many devices in common use today.[3] Ninety-eight percent of all microprocessors are
manufactured as components of embedded systems. Examples of properties of typical embedded computers when compared with general-
purpose counterparts are low power consumption, small size, rugged operating ranges, and low per-unit cost. This comes at the price of
limited processing resources, which make them significantly more difficult to program and to interact with. However, by building
intelligence mechanisms on top of the hardware, taking advantage of possible existing sensors and the existence of a network of embedded
units, one can both optimally manage available resources at the unit and network levels as well as provide augmented functions, well
beyond those available. For example, intelligent techniques can be designed to manage power consumption of embedded systems. Modern
embedded systems are often based on microcontrollers (i.e. CPUs with integrated memory or peripheral interfaces),[7] but ordinary
microprocessors (using external chips for memory and peripheral interface circuits) are also common, especially in more-complex systems.
In either case, the processor(s) used may be types ranging from general purpose to those specialized in certain class of computations, or
even custom designed for the application at hand. A common standard class of dedicated processors is the digital signal processor (DSP).