Microcontrollers in Everyday Embedded Systems: Examples and Applications

Microcontrollers are the heart of countless embedded systems, driving modern technology from electric toothbrushes to Wi-Fi routers. While you may not think about these tiny processors often, they play a crucial role in enhancing the functionality and efficiency of many everyday devices. In this article, we will explore a few examples of microcontrollers and the embedded systems that utilize them.

Electric Toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are a great example of how microcontrollers enhance the functionality of a device that users interact with daily. These small appliances often feature a 4-bit microcontroller that manages crucial tasks such as timing the brushing period and adjusting the vibration speed.

The microcontroller is programmed to execute specific tasks, such as tracking the time and managing the transition between different brushing modes. It may operate in machine language for optimal performance. Often, the microcontroller controls large transistors to manage the high-frequency vibrations necessary for effective teeth cleaning. Although the internal workings of an electric toothbrush are not typically accessible to the user, the microcontroller is responsible for ensuring the brush operates smoothly and reliably.

Thermostats

Thermostats are yet another example of microcontrollers in everyday life. Modern thermostats often use crystals to maintain accurate time and may even have internet access through features like Wemo, allowing them to be part of a home automation system.

In addition to controlling temperature settings, these thermostats can also manage heating and cooling processes. They often include microcontrollers that execute the necessary programs to ensure the system operates smoothly, potentially using complex algorithms to predict and adjust the climate based on user preferences and environmental factors.

Smart Televisions

Modern smart televisions often feature embedded PCs that can provide numerous functions, from internet access and remote operation menus to advanced picture and sound adjustments. These embedded systems may even use 64-bit processors, which are essentially miniaturized versions of motherboard functionality.

The microcontroller in a smart TV is programmed to handle various I/O operations, such as connecting to networks, processing data from remote controls, and driving the display. The embedded system's software ensures that the TV operates efficiently and provides users with a seamless experience.

Other Examples of Microcontrollers in Embedded Systems

Other devices that rely on microcontrollers include automatic washing machines, which use these tiny processors to manage various functions such as water levels, temperature, and spin cycles. Additionally, a device called a DS18B20 is often used to measure temperature with high resolution. While this sensor uses a proprietary one-wire interface, microcontrollers can decode its output and pass it in a clean format to the main controller.

It's worth noting that in some cases, the microcontrollers are dedicated to specific tasks, while in others they work as a subset of a larger embedded system. This modular design allows for efficient and targeted processing, ensuring that each component performs its task optimally.

Conclusion

Microcontrollers are integral to a wide array of technologies and appliances that make up our modern lives. From the precision unit in an electric toothbrush to the advanced systems found in smart TVs, these tiny processors play a vital role in enhancing the functionality and efficiency of everyday devices. As technology continues to advance, the importance and variety of microcontrollers in embedded systems are likely to increase, making them an indispensable part of the future of IoT (Internet of Things) devices.