Potential of Grid Technology for Embedded Systems and Applications

Abstract

First, this chapter offers a brief introduction for the grid computing and its potential in the embedded system design, embedded system definition the difference between the embedded system and the general purpose computer, embedded systems classification and the design challenges. Next, an embedded system design for inverter power supply is described as a case study. An embedded system can be simply defined as a combination of hardware (microprocessor) and software that is built into a product for purposes such as controlling, monitoring and communication without human intervention. Furthermore, embedded system is a special-purpose computing device designed to perform dedicated functions. The hardware includes a microprocessor or microcontroller with additional external memory, I/O, and other components such as sensors, keypad, LEDs, LCDs, and any kind of actuators. The embedded software is the driving force of the embedded system design. Once it is loaded, the embedded software will never be changed unless it needs to be reloaded or replaced (Turley, 2010 & Henzinger and Sifakis, 2006 & Hongxing and Thomas, 2006). Nowadays, embedded systems can be found in devices ranging from from digital watches to communication systems, transportation navigation systems, medical systems, and financial systems. Figure 1 shows some examples of the applications of embedded systems. The number of the embedded systems has increased rapidly in the last few decades to meet modern life demands.