ASSIGNMENT

COMPUTER EVERYWHERE
CT063-3.5-2-CARC
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

NAME: Akshay Nutish Ramrekha (TP028956)

LECTURER NAME: Ahmad Mohammed
HAND OUT DATE: 20 OCTOBER 2014
HAND IN DATE: 19 DECEMBER 2014
INTAKE CODE: UC3F1410 TE

Contents
Abstract.................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Designing the organization and hardware to meet goals and functional requirements ................... 6
Trends in Technology ............................................................................................................................. 7
Semiconductor DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) ................................................................ 7
Semiconductor Flash (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) .............................. 8
Classes of Computers................................................................................................................................ 9
1.0 Microcomputer .................................................................................................................................. 9
2.0 Minicomputer .................................................................................................................................... 9
3.0 Mainframes........................................................................................................................................ 9
4.0 Servers.............................................................................................................................................. 10
5.0 Supercomputer ................................................................................................................................ 10
Section 1.0 .............................................................................................................................................. 19
Sophisticated Engine Controls ............................................................................................................. 20
AIR BAGS ............................................................................................................................................. 21
Anti-Locking braking system (ABS) ................................................................................................... 21
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 24
References .............................................................................................................................................. 25

TABLE OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Table 1: List of daily computers ................................................................................................................. 12
Figure 1: Analogy of building Architect ................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2: Analogy of a computer Architecture ........................................................................................ 5
Figure 3: DRAM ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 5: Fridge........................................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 6: ECU ............................................................................................................................................. 20
Figure 7: Air bag ......................................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 8: ABS ............................................................................................................................................. 22
Figure 9: Intelligent Cruise Control ............................................................................................................ 23
Figure 10: Cruise control system ................................................................................................................ 24

Abstract
This assignment will focus on the different types of computer found in the daily life of a person
and they will be classified as either being general purpose or special purpose. Furthermore the
some embedded systems in the Modern Car was compared to the general purpose computer.

Introduction
Since the first general-purpose electronic computer was created roughly 65 years ago, Computer
Technology has made an incredible progress in this very little amount of time. Nowadays, a person
with less than 2000rm will be able to purchase with more main memory and raw performance
together with more disk storage than a computer which was bought in 1985 for approximately $ 1
million. This exponential improvement has come from both advances in the technology which is
used to build computers and also from the innovations in computer design.
What it Computer Architecture?
Computer Architecture is mainly defined as the science and the art of selecting and interconnecting
hardware components to create computers that meet functional, performance and cost goals.
An analogy to architecture of building, the role of a building architect is to;

Figure 1: Analogy of building Architect

Whereas on the other hand, the role of a computer architect is to;

Figure 2: Analogy of a computer Architecture

Computer Architecture is difference from normal architecture by four factors namely;

1. Age of discipline
-

60 years contrary to five thousand years

2. Rate of Change
-

All three factors (technology, applications, goals) are changing quickly

3. Automated mass production

-

Design advances magnified over millions of chips

4. Boot-strapping effect
-

Better computers help design next generation

Furthermore, the task of a computer designer/ architect is a very complex one because the latter
will have to determine what the attributes are important for a new computer, then designing the
computer to maximize performance and also energy efficiency while staying as low cost as
possible and staying within power and availability of constraints.
This task has many factors/ aspects including the instruction set design, the functional
organization, logic design, and finally implementation. Concerning the implementation phase, this
may cover integrated circuit design, packaging, power and also cooling. Therefore, optimization

of the design requires a great deal of knowledge and familiarity with a wide range of technologies
ranging from compilers and operating systems to logic design and packaging.
A little while ago, the term of computer architecture was often associated to only instruction set
design and then other aspects of computer design were referred to as implementation which in a
way meant that implementation is rather uninteresting or less challenging.
But nowadays, this concept is viewed as incorrect on so many level. The computer architectures
or designers job is so much more than just instruction set design and the technical issues in the
other aspects of some projects are more likely challenging when compared to the ones in
instruction design.
The definition of Instruction Set Design in computer architecture is related to programming which
includes things like native data types, instructions, and registers, addressing modes, memory
architecture, interrupt, exception handling and also external I/O. Furthermore, Instruction Set
Design deals with a specification of the set of opcodes (machine language), and the native
commands which is implemented by a particular processor.

Designing the organization and hardware to meet goals and functional requirements
To be able to implement a computer, there are two components which need full attention and focus.
They are namely, organization and hardware. Here, the term Organization means the high-level
aspects of a computers design. What is meant by that is the aspects of memory system, memory
interconnect and also the most important, the design of the internal processor or CPU (Central
Processing Unit this is where arithmetic, logic, branching, and data transfer are implemented).
Also, the term Organization is often replaced by the term Microarchitecture.
For example, two processors with the same instruction set architectures but different organizations
are the AMD Opteron and the Intel i7. Both processors implement the x86 instruction set, but they
have different pipeline and cash organizations.
The second component of implementation is Hardware which is defined as the specifics of the
computer. These includes the detailed logic design and the packaging technology of the computer.
As it is very common these days, a line of computers which contains the same instruction set

architecture with nearly exact organization but they will be differentiated in the level of detailed
hardware implemented.
For example, the Intel i7 and the Intel Xeon 7560 are both nearly identical but on the other hand,
both offer different clock rates and different memory systems. This makes the Xeon 7560 more
efficient for server computers when compared to the Core i7 one.

Trends in Technology
For an instruction set architecture is to be successful, it must imperatively designed to be able to
survive the rapid changes in the computer technology sector. But a good instruction set architecture
may be used for years or at least decades, for example, the core of the IBM mainframe has been
used for nearly 50 years. Here the task of the architect is to plan for any technology changes that
can increase the lifetime of a computer. For this to be possible, the architect must be following the
trend of the rapid changes in implementation technology.
Below are five implementation technologies which have changed at a dramatic pace and which are
critical to modern day implementations:
1. Integrated circuit logic technology
2. Semiconductor DRAM (dynamic random-access-memory)
3. Semiconductor Flash (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory)
4. Magnetic disk technology
5. Network technology
Semiconductor DRAM (dynamic random-access memory)
Nowadays, DRAM capacity has increased by about 25% to 40% annually and doubling every two
to three years. DRAM is the corner stone of main memory. But there is rumors that the growth rate
will come to a halt in the middle of this decade because of the increasing difficulty of efficiently
manufacturing DRAM cells. Furthermore, there are also new technologies that may in a near future
replace DRAM if it hits a capacity wall as rumored.

Figure 3: DRAM
Semiconductor Flash (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory)
This type of semiconductor is a non-volatile memory which is used as the standard storage device
in PMDs (??). With rapid increase in popularity has fuelled its rapid growth rate in capacity. For
example, the capacity per Flash chip has increased by about 50% to 60% per year recently and
also doubles approximately every two years. Another example is that in 2012, Flash memory was
15 to 20 times cheaper than DRAM per bit.
Trends in Power and Energy in Integrated Circuits
The biggest challenge that a computer architect faces today for all classes of computer is the power
consumption. Power is very sensitive issue to designers as first of all, power must be brought in
and distributed to the processor and nowadays, modern day processors (microprocessors) uses
hundreds of pins and multiple connect layers just for power and ground. After the feeding the
processor with power, another problem arises which is the power is now dissipated as heat and
must be imperatively removed.
From a computer architecture point of view, there are three primary concerns when thinking about
performance, power and energy.
1. What maximum power a processor ever requires? Giving the processor the amount of
power it need will automatically ensure correct operation. For example, if a processor
attempts to draw more power than a power supply system can provide, therefore this will
result in a voltage drop which will definitely cause malfunction. But nowadays, modern
processors can vary their power consumption by using high peak currents that allows the
processor to slow down and regulate voltage within a wider margin.
2. What is sustained power consumption? This is known as thermal design power (TDP). A
power supply for a computer will usually size to exceed the TDP and also a cooling system

is usually designed to match or exceed the TDP. Failure to cool adequately the processor
will result in failure and possible permanent damage. But modern day processors have two
weapons to counteract this problem. First, as temperature rises and cannot be cooled, the
processor will automatically reduce its clock rate thereby reducing power consumption. If
this is not successful, a second thermal overload trip is activated to power down the
processor.
3. The final factor that computer designer needs to consider is energy and energy efficiency.
Energy is a better metric because it is tied to a specific task and the time required to perform
that task. In other words, the energy to execute a workload is equal to the average power
times the execution time for the workload. For example, if one wants to know which of
two processors is more efficient for a given job, therefore one should compare energy
consumption and not power for executing the desired job.

Classes of Computers
After the invention of the personal computer that dramatic changes has rose in the way computers
appear and in how they are used. From this change, five classes of computers were therefore
created each characterized by difference applications, requirements and computing technologies.
1.0 Microcomputer
Microcomputer is the most regularly utilized machine class; they are called that in view of the
microchip placed inside. Microcomputers are likewise alluded to as Pcs, workstations or Pcs.
These computers are utilized as a part of homes, at working environments, in schools and in
libraries. Computers in this class include: desktop computers, in-auto computers, tablet Pcs,
laptops, Pdas, cell phones, gaming reassures, and programmable mini-computers.
2.0 Minicomputer
Minicomputers have CPUs however are not furnished with processors. These computers are
regularly utilized as a part of multi-client situations and can run some working frameworks. These
computers are considered midlevel or mid-range computers.

3.0 Mainframes

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Mainframes computers are multi-client gadgets that must be kept a particular temperature and
oblige a unique power supply special to the centralized server. Mainframes computers are fit for
registering incomprehensible measures of information in a little measure of time while running
numerous single-client machines in the meantime. Mainframe servers are ordinarily run by vast
organizations and legislative offices. Numerous banks, colleges and carriers use mainframe servers
to process information.

4.0 Servers
In 1980, the interest desktop computers were shifted to servers because server grew to provide a
larger-scale and more reliable file and computing services. These servers todays which have
replaced the traditional mainframe by becoming the backbone of large-scale enterprise computing.
When talking about servers, there are different characteristics that are important to consider.
1. Availability is imperative. For example, consider the servers running ATM machines for
banks or airline reservation systems. Failure of such server systems is far more catastrophic
than failure of a single desktop computer since these server are operating 24 hours a day
for 7 days straight.
2. Scalability. Servers grow in response to an increase in demand for the services they support
or an increase in functional requirements. This is why the ability to scale up the computing
capacity, the memory, the storage and the I/O bandwidth of a server is very important.
3. Efficiency. Servers are made for efficient throughput. Simply put that the overall
performance of the server for example in terms of transactions per minute or Web pages
served per second, is what is crucial. The important part here is the responsiveness of to an
individual request. Therefore, overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness are determined by
how many requests can be handled in a unit time, are the key metrics for most servers.
5.0 Supercomputer
A supercomputer is an amazingly quick machine that uses specific systems to augment power use.
The machines are utilized to perform to a great degree confused undertakings. These errands
incorporate hypothetical astronomy, liquid motion and climate anticipating. Supercomputers are
evaluated by FLOPS or Floating Point Operations per Second.

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Microprocessors
The rst microprocessors showed up in the l970s. These were astonishing gadgets, which for the
rst time put a computer CPU onto a solitary lC. For the rst time, signicant processing force
was accessible at rather minimal effort, in a relatively little space. At rst all different capacities
like memory and info yield interfacing, were outside the chip, and a working framework still must
be made of a decent number of ICs. Slowly, the chip got to be more independent, with the
likelihood, for instance, of including distinctive memory sorts on the same chip as the CPU. In the
meantime, the CPU was getting to be all the more capable and speedier, also moved quickly from
8-bit to l6- and 32-bit gadgets. The improvement of the microprocessor headed specifically to
applications like the personal computer.

Microcontrollers
While individuals immediately perceived and misused the registering force of the chip, they
additionally saw an alternate utilization for them, and that was in control. Architects began pulling
microprocessor into different varieties of items that had nothing to do with figuring, like the
refrigerator or the auto entryway that we have quite recently seen. The need was not so much for
high computational power, huge amounts of memory, or rapid. An exceptional class of
microprocessor rose that was proposed for control exercises. Not for crunching huge numbers.
Before long this sort of microprocessor picked up a personality of its own, further got to be known
as a 'microcontroller'. The microcontroller assumed control over the part of the implanted machine
in installed systems so what recognizes a microcontroller from a microprocessor? Like a
microprocessor, a microcontroller needs to have the capacity to process. In spite of the fact that
not so much with enormous numbers. In any case it has different needs also. Essentially, it must
have brilliant input and output capacity, for instance with the goal that it can interface
straightforwardly with the ins and outs of the cooler or the auto entryway. Since numerous inserted
frameworks are both size- and cost-cognizant, the microcontroller must be little independent and
ease.

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Table 1: List of daily computers

Computer in:

Usage of the computer

General purpose or special Task performed before the

purpose?

TV

advent of the computer

TV is absolutely a standout Special purpose, since the Before the TV there was the
amongst

the

most

powerful computer

has

limited radio where almost the same

constrains of our time. Through memory and computation function where the users were
the gadget called a TV set or TV, power

and

can

only able to get the news and listen

you have the capacity get news, performs certain specific music and other events such
sports, diversion, data and ads. tasks such as:

as football matches.

The computer in this device is

used for signal processing, audio

Signal acquisition

Signal processing

Video processing

Audio processing

Genesis Microchip (with

Channel analysis

the FLI chipset )

Channel

processing and video processing.

The most common

processors

found in a TV would be:

Sigma Designs (with the

distribution

VXP)

Integrated
Technology

Device
(with

the

HQV chipset and Teranex

system products)

Silicon Image (with the

VRS chipset and DVDO
system products)

Remote

Most remote controls uses a Special purpose as the Buttons

control

single IC such as the TA 11835 to remote

were

used

or

controls mechanical switches were

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perform all the operations. These employment is to hold up used to do the same job on the
operations are transmitting infra- for you to press a key, and appliances or these controls
red waves to the receiver which after that to interpret that were situated at proximity to
have different patterns depending key-press
on which keys are being pressed light

into

signals

infrared these appliances.

that

are

on the remote control. The chip is received by the TV or any

packaged in what is known as an other device that it is
18 pin Dual Inline Package, or a associated with.
DIP

Calculators

As an engineer calculators forms Special purpose, since it The time before the electronic
part of the daily devices that we cannot be reprogrammed age and thus that f calculators
use which has a computer in it. to perform functions other were

dominated

by

The calculator discussed here is than that preprogrammed mechanical devices such as
the HP 35S.

in the flash.

the

abacus

slide

rule,

The key structures here are an

Arithmometer,

8502 microcontroller and a flash

Burroughs Adding, Machine

memory chip. The 8502 is

Comptometer

composed

by

calculator which were used

Technology,

Sunplus
Taiwanese

organization. It's focused around

the 6502, an 8-bit processor that
initially showed up on the
Commodore

64.

The

flash

memory is a generic part, and no

particular merchant is utilized.
The 8502 that is utilized here
likewise contains the system's
power management and all the
ordinary chip-set capacities. This
incorporates a LCD driver, a

for calculations.

P100

and

Curta

14

console

controller,

etc.

The

firmware likewise dwells on the

8502

microcontroller.

That

leaves practically the whole flash

memory

accessible

for

programming. The 32-kbyte flash

leaves

around

30-kbytes

accessible to the end client,

enough for around 20,000 lines of
code

Microwave

As a student, the microwave is Special purpose, as the The traditional ovens and
the device which is known as the microwave
quick

food

cleaner

can

only stoves were and are still used

and perform instruction that it to heat food and cook meals.

cooker and is used daily. The has been programmed with

implanted

framework

in

a and programs cannot be

microwave

oven

as

a loaded into it.

acts

command device. It is intended to

take inputs from the keypad and
transform them into commands.
In the event that, for example,
you program a microwave oven
to work on high for two minutes,
the embedded system triggers the
high voltage transformer to work
on to the max for two minutes. At
the point when the two minutes
terminate,

the

implanted

framework tells the transformer

to turn off. Since the implanted
framework does simply interpret

15

straightforward
contains

orders,

moderately

it
basic

programming.
Refrigerator

The embedded system in a Special

purpose.

The Food reservation was done in

refrigerator uses a temperature embedded system cannot was such as pickling or

sensor

to

measure

the be programmed to do preserved in sugar syrup or

temperature inside the fridge and change its functions and other

types

of

bacteria

turn on a cooling unit if the the programming is stored inhibiting liquids. Keeping
temperature becomes too warm in the ROM.

meat was not an option as

to keep food safely. A simple

fresh produce was used on the

flow of operation can be seen in

same day as well as meat and

Figure 5.

milk.

The modern Cars cannot be missed in this list Special

Car

purpose.

Cars Bicycles, horse carriages, Ox

for a student living in an urban today might have as many carriages and by foot were the
area. A current car will fuse as 50 microprocessors on most famous and effective
numerous embedded systems to them which are programed methods of transportation and
control different parts of its to perform specific tasks travel before the advent of the
utilization. The main reasons for such as ;

car.

Cars

without

these

this increase in the number of Access Control/Alarm: A computers were also effective
microprocessors are:

remote control can be and were widely used before

utilized to lock and alarm a computers were used in the

The

requirement

sophisticated

of

car when it is parked.

engine

controls

to

meet

emissions

and

fuel-

economy standards

Better diagnostics

New safety features

New

comfort

convenience features

theirs fundamental parts.

Antilock Braking (ABS):
Computerized

anti-lock

braking

stopping

mechanisms permit cars to

stop in shorter distances
and

radio system and later on in

and be controlled without

slipping amid breaking.

16

And so on.

Motor Control Unit: The

The operation that uses the motor control unit will

processor the most would be focus the sparkle timing
Controlling engine and this is and measure of fuel to
done by the engine control unit infuse into the motor to
(ECU). It uses a closed-loop acquire the best adjust of
control which is a control scheme execution, economy and
that regulates outputs of a system ecological proficiency.
to control the inputs to a system
thus

managing

what

the

emissions are and also saving the

fuel and lot more from the data it
collects via dozens of different
sensors. All these are processed
by contain a 32-bit, 40-MHz
processor which modern ECU
would contain.

Smartphones

Without this device life seems General purpose. It can be The usual cell phone, the
unimaginable

for

students programmed to complete telephone various other types

nowadays. The smartphone In different task and interact of communications forms that
general, constitute of on an with the human or user. the smartphone engulfs were
operating system that permits to Thus it follows instruction used to perform what today
install applications (programs) given.

can be done by only one

and run them. Different types of

device.

OS are available for example;

Apple's iPhone runs the iOS, and
others can run Google's Android
OS, HP's webOS, and Microsoft's
Windows Phone. One famous
processer being used is the

17

Qualcomm
example

Snapdragon

Samsung

for

GALAXY

Note 4 uses the Qualcomm

Snapdragon 805
which is the RAM varies from
2GB to 4GB

Laptops

Laptops are also vital parts of the General purpose. . It can be The Desktop computer was
students day and if as all the programmed to complete being used before the advent
coursework has some percentage different task and interact of the laptop.
to be done on this machine.

with the human or user.

Programs can be installed
and removed according to
the users needs it can
interact with other devices.
It follows instruction.

Vacuum

The vacuum

cleaner has a Special purpose

cleaner

microcontroller which is used to

The broom was used and a

dust pan to clean.

regulate the speed of sucking

power.
ATM(Autom
atic

The machines treads the clients Special purpose: Since a People had to go to the bank

teller details which is on a magnetic set of instruction can only to withdraw money or for

machine)

stripe on the back of the card and be carried out and an other transactions that the
ask for a PIN code. Once embedded
validated a series of function can present.
be

done

from

withdrawing

money to banks cheques deposit.

The computer is programmed to
communicate in real time with

system

is ATM can now accept.

18

the

bank

and

count

notes,

dispense the correct amount of

money, produce error messages
and so, just as a teller at the bank
would do.
Washing

A typical flow is given Special purpose since it Clothes were washed by

Machine

here :

perform specific task has hand.

already

When the START is

pressed,

preprogrammed

been
and

cannot do anything outside

The load of the laundry is

measured

by

this of these codes.

the

embedded system then

the inlet valve opens and
clean waters pours in.
Once the correct amount
of water is reached the
valve

closes

machines

and

proceeds

the
to

follow the instruction that

was given by the user.
The

instructions

corresponds to a set of
mechanism that has been
preprogrammed on the
chipset.

Wi-Fi router The Wi-Fi modem receives the Special purpose. Can only Without internet connection
and modem

signal from the internet service do

modulation

and all the services had alternate

provider and decoded it then demodulation of signals ways of being achieved or

19

sends this signal to the router for and transmit them via the used. Such as books were
it to be amplified checked and router.

used for learning and TV was

propagate in an area.

where the time were spent.

Figure 4: Fridge

Section 1.0
In this section the functions of computers (Embedded system) in the modern car will be explained
and compared to the general purpose computer.

Cars are getting more and more sophisticated every year and some of them have as many as 50
Cars 50 microprocessors on them. These microprocessors make the modern car capable of
achieving the following: The need for sophisticated engine controls to meet emissions and fueleconomy standards

Advanced diagnostics

Simplification of the manufacture and design of cars

Reduction of the amount of wiring in cars

New safety features

New comfort and convenience features

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Sophisticated Engine Controls

The sanctioning of progressively stricter emanations laws, sophisticated control plans were
expected to manage the air/fuel mixture so that the exhaust system could uproot a ton of the
contamination from the fumes. Controlling the engine is one of the most computation power
needing activities in a modern car and this is done by the engine control unit (ECU). The ECU
uses closed-loop control, a control protocol that monitors outputs of a system to control the inputs
to a system, managing the emissions and fuel economy of the engine. Data is collected from many
sensors thus the ECU is made aware of a lot of parameters such as the temperature of the engine
to the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. These data are used by the ECU to get the best engine
ignition phase and controls the amount of fuel to be released in the combustion chamber all of this
to ensure the lowest emissions and best mileage. A modern ECU normally contains a 32-bit, 40MHz processor compared to some general purpose computers which have 500- to 1,000-MHz
processor since the ECU has specific task to carry out and the codes in the EPU takes up less than
1 (MB) of memory whereas a general purpose computer may have at least 2GB of instructions or
programs. Below is an ECU (Figure 6)

Figure 5: ECU

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AIR BAGS
Its function is basically to stop the continuous motion of the passenger by providing surface to
land on and minimize damage.

Figure 6: Air bag

The Event Data Recorder (EDR) in a car is based upon the sensors and microprocessor computer
system that are used to activate the airbag in the vehicle during a cash and records all the
information of the crash. The EDR performs only specific task in controlling the air bag and
recording the details of the impact using a microprocessor and no programs can be loaded on this
chip unlike the general purpose computer thus the ERD and the air bag system are forms of
special purpose computers.

Anti-Locking braking system (ABS)

Hitting the brakes too hard can cause the car to slip and accident to occur. This is because the
coefficient of slip between the tires and the road is too low hitting the brake cause the wheels to
lock up and the vehicle skids.

22

The ABS reduce the total braking distance as far as possible and increase the stability of the car.
The steering wheel should be operable in case of all out braking. The ABS works as follows;
The wheel-speed sensors detect anomalies in the wheels then the electronic control unit reduces
the braking pressure at each wheel. High speed correction of the braking pressure up to shortly
before the lock up threshold. The brake fluids then return together with the closed- loop brake
circuits makes this a safe, reliable and cost- effective system.

Figure 7: ABS
The controller is a computer in the car. It watches the speed sensors and controls the valves. It
has the specific task to do thus the ABS system is composed of a specific purpose also when the
car is turn off the memory of the computer is not erased as the in the general purpose computer
where there is the RAM.

Electronic Stability Control

It is required to prevent the driver from over-steering or understeering thus overloading any of
the 4 wheels that causes slip, through either throttle or brake application. Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) helps drivers to keep away from accidents by lessening the threat of slipping, or
losing control as a consequence of over-controlling. ESC gets to be dynamic when a driver loses

23

control of their auto. It utilizes machine controlled engineering to apply individual brakes and
help bring the auto securely over on track, without the risk of fish-tailing.
ESC meets expectations by utilizing various shrewd sensors that discover any loss of control and
consequently apply the brake to the pertinent wheel, returning your auto on the planned way.
The computer in an embedded computer since the function does not change, the ECS program is
permanently stored in read only memory (ROM).

Intelligent Cruise Control

Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning (CACC+CW)
CACC: Cruise at a given speed when the road is clear (cruise control) otherwise follows the car
in front, using radar (adaptive) and/or communication (cooperative).
CW: Warn the driver when an object is being approached too fast, or is too close.

Figure 8: Intelligent Cruise Control

The computer in the car uses the forward- looking radar, installed behind the grill of the car, to
detect the speed and distance of the vehicle ahead of it thus it can automatically control the speed
to maintain a decent distance between the two cars. The cruise computer uses a microprocessor
to achieve this and there are only limited sets of tasks it can achieve thus the cruise control
computer is an embedded system as it can be seen in the figure 10 below. The programs in an
embedded computer dont change the CACC+CW will be a CACC+CW and never a microwave
oven.

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Figure 9: Cruise control system

Conclusion
In this report, a list of computers in my daily life and each of them has been classified as general
purpose or special purpose, an explanation has been given as why they are special or general
purpose and before the advent of the particular device how was the task accomplished. Not all
the computers could have been listed as they are everywhere and often we do not even notice
them for example Traffic light system which is a special purpose computer and when they were
not present traffic police officers were directing the traffic circulation. The embedded systems in
the modern car was explained in detail and compared to general purpose computers.

25

References
Bovik, Al, 2000. Handbook of Image and Video Processing (Communications, Networking and
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Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | How Safe Is Your Car . 2014. Electronic Stability Control
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How

Safe

Is

Your

Car

[ONLINE]

Available

at:

http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/Electronic-Stability-Control/. [Accessed 19 December

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