Introduction
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network that is the result of the integration, or embedment, of technologies such as software or sensors into physical devices that enable the travel and connection of data to be successfully conducted. On the other hand, embedded systems are small computer systems that have a specialized purpose. They are used to collect and process certain data as well as to manage the hardware, making them a crucial part of the overall system.
These IoT technologies using embedded systems can be found anywhere, from your home to the bustling cities of apex technological development. There are so many examples of such IoT systems, as they have already integrated into our lives especially in recent years – from the phone you carry around with you every day to an entire city powered by technologies to collect data used to run the place more effectively. There is no doubt that IoT has not only enabled the creation of new developments that contributed to making the human life experience more convenient but also helped improve so many preexisting technologies. This is evident from how almost all technology now has a “smart version” of it – smartphones, smart cars, and even smart glasses. The term “smart” is used to describe technologies that have connections to other devices and networks that make them more advanced and “intelligent” compared to regular technologies like the pendulum clock or fire extinguishers.
It is important to note that there are many ways in which these IoT technologies can help us in life. They have greatly improved various aspects of manufacturing, education, healthcare, etc. that influenced the very way we live every day. Transportation is arguably one of the most prominent applications of IoT that is used on a regular, if not daily, basis. Some examples of how IoT technologies are integrated into transportation are precisely tracking vehicles’ locations, planning the most efficient routes to travel, ensuring the effective management of storage, etc. This paper will focus on identifying and explaining the embedded systems that are used in different forms of transportation, from bikes to cars to planes, and analyzing how these technologies are used to the benefit of us humans.
Transportation
Firstly, let’s understand the use of embedded systems in transportation. Transportation is utterly crucial in our society as it is the way to ensure effective travel and movement in an area. From bikes to boats to planes, forms of transportation can be found everywhere with different methods. If you need to arrive at school on time, you may take a car. If you need to visit another city, you can take the train. If you need to travel abroad, you may take an airplane. Transportation essentially connects people physically in the sense that it enables faster and more sustainable movement between locations, which enhances basic human traveling methods like walking and running. These modes of transportation have already existed in our world for centuries, but have only recently begun to truly become “smart.”
Automotive
IoT entered the automotive industry sometime around the 2010s and has resulted in the development of smart cars. What separates these smart cars from normal cars is their ability to collect and provide data as well as to connect with other systems and networks. For instance, one function of a smart car is to provide real-time information and analysis on the car. Telling the temperature and updating the location live are now a few examples of tasks that are enabled by the use of embedded systems. Updates on traffic and weather accessed from the Internet can now also be shared. Another key feature of smart cars is their automatic features, including anti-lock braking systems (which control brake pressure for wheels to stabilize movement while braking) and emergency brakes when a situation that requires this function is detected. What makes it smart is that these embedded systems detect information about the car such as driver actions or environmental elements to trigger a response automatically. Smart cars also allow more options for driver interaction; touchscreen infotainment and voice control are some examples in which sensors are used to receive certain inputs that allow the driver to access services from the embedded systems. Additionally, uses of embedded systems in cars that are now becoming fairly often include GPS and self-driving automobiles. Overall, these embedded systems used in automobiles help enhance the driving experience which not only allows convenience and access to information but also ensures safety, which is important to look out for while driving.
Now let’s look more specifically into an example of an embedded system used in automotive – CAN bus (Controller Area Network). CAN bus is a network system that enables ECUs (Electronic Control Units) to conduct communication with each other as a protocol. Now, an ECU is also an embedded system that is placed inside a vehicle to essentially, as its name would suggest, control the vehicle’s electronic systems. ECUs are also used in airbags in automobiles that receive input from collision sensors to take appropriate action on when and where to deploy the airbags. Anywho, what CAN bus does is allow the ECUs to send messages and signals at all times even in conditions with a lot of electrical noise. This is important as it allows effective transfer of data and connection of ECUs, which helps facilitate successful communication between the different parts of the vehicle that results in an overall good performance.
Public Land Transportation
On the other hand, public transportation is a different deal. While in cars, the embedded systems are more focused on ensuring safe driving, providing data on everything around, and making driving an easier task to perform; in public transportation such as buses and trains, a whole system needs to be managed with complex data processing instead of just one vehicle. An example of how IoT and embedded systems are used in this case is the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) in subway systems. SCADA is a system that can be used to collect and process real-time data from the industrial device and enables remote control of the hardware system. In managing a subway system, SCADA is responsible for tasks like switching tracks, displaying signals, controlling train speed, etc. Not only that, SCADA can also detect issues and faults in the system, which is important to ensure proper maintenance and safety.
But enough about SCADA, let’s talk about other examples of such embedded systems. ETCS (European Train Control System) in railways. ETCS, implemented by the European Union, determines trains’ safe maximum speed and utilizes that data to help control these trains. The fact that ETCS is able to conduct real-time calculations is part of what makes it so significant to be used on the railway system. On the other hand, other countries such as the United States have implemented CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control) in their metro systems. CBTC helps connect the train and equipment placed along the tracks to monitor and manage the movement of the trains, which also enables a more accurate locating system of the train itself.
Aircraft
Aircraft is a different story here compared to land transportation. From helicopters to airliners, these forms of transportation utilize complex systems to ensure an aircraft can safely and effectively take off, stay in the air, and land smoothly. Let’s talk about airplanes first. FCS (Flight Control System) is an embedded system responsible for controlling all the movement and orientation of the aircraft in the air to make sure it maintains a stable flight. It actually consists of a primary and secondary system – the primary system controls the plane’s attitude, including its direction and movement; the secondary system focuses more on controlling factors affected by air, such as lift, drag, and speed. The two sub-systems each control different parts of the plane and work together to enable a successful flight. Autopilot is also a feature belonging to the FCS that is now used in almost every airliner, which analyzes data and flight paths to automate the process of flying a plane.
Another example of an embedded system used in aircraft is ECS (Engine Control System) in helicopters. Engines are important in providing the necessary energy for the aircraft to function. ECS helps optimize the performance of engines and manage fuel consumption. This is important as it helps ensure the safety of the flight by collecting and processing data from the internal system. It looks out for potential dangers and is able to identify faults that are pivotal in a flight.
Conclusion
Embedded systems have very much been deeply integrated into these forms of transportation that we use in our daily lives. As technology continues to develop, we can also expect the transportation technology of IoT to develop as well. With the use of AI (artificial intelligence) becoming more popular recently, it is no surprise that the implementation of them in embedded systems would increase as well. At a 2017 San Francisco press event with Nvidia’s Deepu Talla, developers displayed their advancement in AI technology. Among those developments, there were devices that could recognize individuals and smart drones that react to their surroundings–technology, in general, has come a long way. These technologies of transportation would only continue to become more advanced and improved in the coming years. In conclusion, these embedded systems have been widely used in these various forms of transportation in functions such as but not limited to management and optimization, which significantly benefitted many aspects of human movement and travel.
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