Dedicated Computer Systems

General Purpose Computer Systems Dedicated Computer Systems Embedded ControlProcess ControlExamples of Dedicated Computer Systems Specialised I/O DevicesSoftware for Dedicated Systems

General Purpose Computer SystemA general-purpose computer is capable

of performing a variety of tasks

When using a PC one can perform a many different tasks such as spreadsheets, word-processing, browsing the Internet, playing games, creating music, editing videos and so on

General-purpose computers are not limited to a single task.

Dedicated Computer System A dedicated computer is designed to

do a specific task

The single task may not be a simple task, it can be complex

Dedicated computers can only do what it was created for and nothing else

Common examples are Sony Playstation, ATM, Mobile Phones, GPS

Embedded Computer Systems An embedded system is a special-purpose

system that is enclosed in a certain device

It is not a general-purpose system, so engineers can reduce its size since its function is known before

Engineers could simplify it in order to be easily embedded and cheaper

Typical examples of embedded systems are VCR (Video Cassette Recorders), Washing Machines and Microwave Ovens

Process Control Systems A process control system is the automatic

monitoring and control of industrial activities

A computer is programmed to respond to feedback signals from different sensors

The operation controlled may be as small as packing boxes or as complex as the control of an automated bakery, where the mixing, cooking and packaging are controlled within a single integrated process.

Examples of Dedicated Systems

VCR – Video Cassette RecorderA VCR has a number of options

related to its specific task

You can find the following options on a VCR

1. Play,2. Rewind, 3. Fast-forward 4. In modern VCR one can also program

the VCR to record what‟s on TV

Auto-Pilot Modern aircrafts have a system called

auto-pilots

This special-purpose system helps the pilot to travel with very little human interaction

The auto-pilot automatically plots the route the aircraft needs to take and then the speed and altitude and so on

Mobile Phones Technology has gone through many advances

These advances have made it possible to integrate very small dedicated machines into mobile phones

These machines apart from handling normal mobile phone functions such as making or receiving a call, can also handle more features such as sound management, messaging, use of JAVA programs and more!

Global Positioning System A GPS makes travelling in foreign

countries much easier and safer

This dedicated machine, helps the user to keep on the right track to reach their location

This eliminates us getting lost

Specialised I/O Devices

Specialised I/O Devices As we know we have many input and

output devices

Apart from the general I/O devices such as;

1. keyboards2. Mice3. Monitors etc…

Some input/output devices are created especially for their dedicated systems

SensorsA sensor is an electronic

component which converts one form of energy into another;

A sensor responds to some physical property such as pressure, flow, humidity ect....

Sensors – Examples Alarm Systems: When an alarm system is

installed, many sensors are places around the building. These sensor detect movement within the building. If there is movement, the sensor will set off the alarm system

Climate Control: Air-conditions have sensors to detect the temperature in a room. So, when a temperature is set, the air-conditioner will constantly monitor the temperature of the area through the sensor and react accordingly

Buttons Another common form of input

devices are button

Buttons are included in almost all computerized appliances and these act as the main source of input from the user to the machine.

Monitors LCD – (Liquid Crystal Display) allow the

computer to show the output of something. LCD screens are used for example GPS systems, where the current location on the map is displayed.

LED – (Light Emitting Diodes) these screens have been around from the early years. LEDs are very small diodes that can generate a small amount of light usually in the color green, red or blue. This type of output indicates various states of the dedicated-machine. Almost all appliances when turned on have a small LED which indicated that the machine has been turned on.

Software for Dedicated

Computer Systems

Software Dedicated computer systems have

specially made software which is solely aimed to perform the required tasks and thus cannot handle any other functions

This software is normally found in the

ROM of the dedicated computer as it never needs to change.

Dedicated computer systems usually have a limited amount of RAM so if software needs to be changed, the ROM is flashed and the new software is put into it