Top 10 Embedded System Interview Questions For Fresher 2023

Embedded System Interview Questions :

Q1 : What is an embedded system, and how is it different from a general-purpose computer system?

Ans : An embedded system is a specialized computer system that is designed to perform a specific task. It is different from a general-purpose computer system in that it is typically dedicated to a specific application or task and is optimized for that application. Embedded systems are often used in products like cars, medical devices, and home appliances.

Q2 : What is the difference between RAM and ROM in an embedded system?

Ans : RAM is volatile, read-write memory that is used to store data and program instructions temporarily during runtime. ROM is non-volatile, read-only memory that contains permanent system configurations and firmware. RAM is larger in size and faster than ROM.

Q3 : What is an ADC and how is it used in an embedded system?

Ans : ADC is an electronic component that converts analog signals into digital signals. It is used in embedded systems to measure analog signals from sensors and convert them into digital signals that can be processed by the system's microcontroller.

Q4 : What is a bit, byte, and word in the context of embedded systems?

Ans : 

• A bit is the smallest unit of digital information and has a value of either 0 or 1. It is used to represent the binary states of a digital system.
• A byte is a group of eight bits. It is commonly used to represent a single character or data element, such as a number or letter.
• A word is a group of two or more bytes. It is used to represent larger data elements, such as integers or floating-point numbers. The size of a word is architecture-dependent, and it can range from 16 to 64 bits in modern embedded systems.

Q5 : What is the role of a compiler in programming a microcontroller?

Ans : A compiler is a software program that translates high-level programming language code into machine code that can be understood by a microcontroller's processor. The compiled code is optimized for the specific microcontroller architecture, making it efficient and compact. The role of a compiler is to generate a binary executable file that can be loaded onto the microcontroller's memory and executed by the processor.

Q6 : What is the difference between a microcontroller and a microprocessor?

Ans : A microcontroller typically includes a CPU, memory, input/output peripherals, and other integrated components on a single chip. It is commonly used in embedded systems for controlling and managing specific tasks or applications, such as home appliances, automotive systems, medical devices, and industrial control systems.

A microprocessor, on the other hand, only includes a CPU and some support circuitry on a chip. It requires external memory and input/output peripherals to function and is commonly used in personal computers, servers, and other general-purpose computing devices.

Q7 : What is the difference between a digital signal and an analog signal in the context of embedded systems?

Ans : A digital signal is a sequence of discrete values that are represented by binary digits (bits) and processed using digital logic circuits. The values can be either 0 or 1, which corresponds to low or high voltage levels, respectively. Digital signals are easy to transmit, store, and process, and are less affected by noise and distortion.

An analog signal, on the other hand, is a continuous signal that can have an infinite number of values within a range. It is typically represented by physical parameters such as voltage, current, or frequency, and is processed using analog circuits. Analog signals are more sensitive to noise and distortion, but can provide more accurate and precise measurements than digital signals.

Q8 : What is a UART and how is it used in an embedded system?

Ans : UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) is a serial communication protocol used in embedded systems to transmit and receive data between devices. It converts parallel data into serial data for transmission over a single communication line, and vice versa. UART uses two hardware lines for communication: the Transmit (Tx) line and the Receive (Rx) line.

Q9 : What is the purpose of an I2C in an embedded system?

Ans : The I2C is a two-wire serial communication bus used to connect multiple devices in an embedded system. I2C uses a master-slave architecture, where the master initiates and controls the communication between the devices. A single master device can communicate with multiple slave devices by selecting them using a unique address. The protocol uses only two signal lines: SDA (Serial Data) and SCL (Serial Clock). The SDA line is bidirectional, and data is transmitted serially, one bit at a time. The SCL line is used to synchronize the communication between the devices.

Q10 : What is the difference between embedded c and c language?

Ans : Embedded C is a variant of the C programming language that is specifically designed to be used in embedded systems. Embedded C includes additional features that make it easier to access and control hardware devices, such as special keywords for reading and writing to registers, memory-mapped I/O, and defining interrupt service routines.

C, on the other hand, is a general-purpose programming language that can be used in a wide range of applications, including embedded systems. However, it does not include the additional features needed to interact with hardware devices in an embedded system.