1. Identify examples of queues. In each case, indicate any situations that violate the FIFO structure.
2. Which of the following activities require real-time processing?
a. Printing mailing labels
b. Playing a computer game
c. Displaying numbers on a smartphone screen as they are dialed
d. Executing a program that predicts the state of next year's economy
e. Playing an MP3 recording
3. What is the difference between embedded systems and PCs'?
4. What is the difference between time-sharing and multitasking?
Answers
3) The main difference between an embedded controller and a PC is that the embedded controller is dedicated to one specific task or set of tasks. A PC is designed to run many different types of programs and to connect to many different external devices. An embedded controller has a single program and, as a result, can be made cheaply to include just enough computing power and hardware to perform that dedicated task. A PC has a relatively expensive generalized central processing unit (CPU) at its heart with many other external devices (memory, disk drives, video controllers, network inter- face circuits, etc.). An embedded system has a low-cost micro controller unit (MCU) for its intelligence, with many peripheral circuits on the same chip, and with relatively few external devices. Often, an embedded system is an invisible part, or sub-module of another product, such as a cordless drill, refrigerator or...