Many modern devices contain embedded systems.
Describe what is meant by the term embedded system.
Mark scheme
Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:
- It is a computer/processor built into a larger device (1) to carry out a single dedicated task/function (1)
- It is a combination of a processor, memory and input/output in one unit (1) that controls the device it is part of (1)
- It is a computer that forms part of another device (1) so it is not used as a general purpose computer (1)
Allow 'forms part of another device' or 'inside another device' for the first mark.
Do not award the second mark for a separate fact that is not linked to the first point, e.g. 'It is built into a device and it uses little power' would earn only the first mark (1).
Do not accept 'a small computer' on its own, with no reference to being part of another device or performing a dedicated task.
Do not accept 'a computer that controls a device' on its own, with no reference to it being built into/part of a larger device or carrying out a dedicated task.
Do not accept 'it performs a single dedicated task' on its own, with no reference to it being built into/part of a larger device.
Do not accept descriptions of a general purpose computer, e.g. 'it can run many different programs' or 'new software can be installed'.
Do not accept 'it is a system that is embedded in another system' as this repeats the term in the question.
Example answers and how they were marked
An embedded system is a computer built into a larger device (1) to carry out one specific/dedicated task (1)
Why: Linked point (1) that it is built into a larger device, developed (1) with the dedicated task it performs.
It is a small computer that is inside another device.
Why: First point only (1) - inside/part of another device - with no linked development of a dedicated task.
It is a computer that controls a device.
Why: Near-miss: only says it controls a device, with no reference to being built into/part of a larger device or a dedicated task, so no marks.