Embedded Computers

An Embedded Computer is pre-programmed to do one task (or a limited set of tasks).

Most embedded computers make use of the Harvard Architecture with separate physical memory locations for the instructions and the data storage.

Instructions will be stored as firmware on a ROM chip.

Data would be stored in RAM.

The Harvard Architecture

Keywords

A design for the architecture of a computer. Instructions and Data are stored in separate physical storage locations.

Software that is stored permanently in the primary memory of an embedded computer and contains the instructions for how it operates.

Read Only Memory. Part of the Primary Memory of a computer. In embedded computers, this is where the firmware is stored.

Random Access Memory. Part of the Primary Memory of a computer. In embedded computers, this is where the data is stored.