Embedded Glossary

Android is a partially open-source Operating System based on a Linux kernel and originally developed for mobile devices. It increasingly supports graphical operator terminals and industrial displays. Its runtime environment and framework execute applications. Hardware-specific versions adapt processors, peripherals and drivers. Documented APIs and development tools support dependable implementation.

ARM is a RISC processor architecture used in embedded systems. It combines low power consumption with high performance per watt. ARM licenses core designs to semiconductor manufacturers for microcontrollers and systems-on-chip. Cortex families address control tasks and operating-system-based applications. ARM offers a scalable basis for embedded design.

Atom is a family of microprocessors from Intel based on the x86 architecture that combines low power consumption with a compact form factor. Most variants are implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC), integrating the processing core, graphics unit and interface logic on a single chip. This makes the range suitable for embedded devices with graphical user interfaces, industrial PCs and networked controllers requiring processing power with low heat dissipation. Unlike a microcontroller, an Atom processor has sufficient performance to run a full operating system and standard software. Its x86 compatibility allows familiar desktop software to be used directly.