Embedded System MCQs

This comprehensive set of Embedded Systems MCQs is designed to cover all essential topics required for success in exams related to embedded systems design and development. Focused on key subjects such as microcontrollers, real-time operating systems (RTOS), hardware-software integration, and embedded programming, these MCQs are crafted to help students build a strong foundation in embedded systems concepts and applications.

Who should practice Embedded Systems MCQs?

Students preparing for computer science, electronics, or electrical engineering courses that include embedded systems concepts.
Individuals aiming to strengthen their understanding of microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, and embedded hardware components.
Candidates preparing for certification exams or courses that assess knowledge of embedded programming languages like C/C++ and assembly.
Learners interested in mastering real-time operating systems (RTOS), interrupt handling, and power management in embedded systems.
Professionals focused on improving their skills in designing and developing embedded solutions for industries like automotive, IoT, and consumer electronics.
Suitable for all aspirants seeking to enhance their knowledge and performance in embedded systems for academic or professional success.

1. What is an embedded system?

A) A software-only system
B) A computer system integrated into a larger system
C) A mechanical system
D) A standalone computer system

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2. Which of the following is an example of an embedded system?

A) Desktop computer
B) Smartphone
C) Washing machine controller
D) Laptop

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3. What is the main characteristic of real-time embedded systems?

A) High power consumption
B) High speed processing
C) Ability to meet strict timing constraints
D) Large memory capacity

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4. Which microcontroller is commonly used in embedded systems?

A) ARM Cortex
B) Intel Core i7
C) AMD Ryzen
D) NVIDIA GeForce

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5. What is the primary purpose of an embedded system?

A) General-purpose computing
B) Performing specific tasks
C) Video rendering
D) Data analysis

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6. Which of the following languages is most commonly used for embedded system programming?

A) Python
B) Java
C) C
D) Ruby

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7. What does “RTOS” stand for in embedded systems?

A) Real-Time Operating System
B) Random Timing Operating System
C) Reduced Timing Operating System
D) Real-Task Operating System

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8. What is the purpose of an RTOS in embedded systems?

A) To provide a graphical user interface
B) To ensure tasks are completed within time constraints
C) To reduce power consumption
D) To enhance security

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9. Which type of memory is commonly used in embedded systems to store the program code?

A) RAM
B) ROM
C) SSD
D) Hard Drive

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10. What is a common feature of microcontrollers used in embedded systems?

A) Integrated CPU, memory, and I/O ports
B) Ability to run large applications
C) Advanced graphical processing
D) High clock speeds

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11. What is the main advantage of using embedded systems in devices?

A) High power consumption
B) High cost
C) Low power consumption and small size
D) Complex design

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12. Which of the following protocols is commonly used in embedded systems for communication?

A) HTTP
B) I2C
C) FTP
D) SMTP

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13. What is a “watchdog timer” in embedded systems?

A) A timer that monitors program execution
B) A timer used for networking
C) A timer for user interaction
D) A timer for generating random numbers

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14. In an embedded system, what is “firmware”?

A) Hardware component
B) Software designed to manage system hardware
C) User interface
D) External storage device

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15. What does “interrupt” mean in embedded systems?

A) A pause in program execution
B) A signal to the processor to stop the current task
C) A memory management technique
D) A process for closing applications

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16. Which of the following is a characteristic of soft real-time systems?

A) Missing a deadline is unacceptable
B) Missing a deadline is tolerable occasionally
C) High-speed processing
D) No timing constraints

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17. What is “polling” in embedded systems?

A) A method of checking the status of devices periodically
B) A technique for programming interrupts
C) A way to manage power
D) A method for encryption

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18. Which of the following devices would most likely use an embedded system?

A) A gaming console
B) A desktop computer
C) A digital camera
D) A television

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19. Which is NOT a characteristic of an embedded system?

A) Task-specific
B) Real-time performance
C) Large storage capacity
D) Limited user interface

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20. What does the term “microcontroller” refer to?

A) A small computer integrated into a device
B) A type of memory
C) A peripheral device
D) An external hard drive

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21. Which of the following is a common power-saving technique in embedded systems?

A) Overclocking
B) Dynamic frequency scaling
C) Increasing voltage
D) Increasing memory size

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22. Which of the following buses is commonly used in embedded systems for serial communication?

A) PCI
B) USB
C) RS-232
D) AGP

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23. What is the purpose of “DMA” (Direct Memory Access) in embedded systems?

A) To improve graphical performance
B) To allow peripherals to access memory without CPU intervention
C) To manage power consumption
D) To store user data

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24. What is the main function of the “UART” (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) in embedded systems?

A) To enable networking
B) To manage data storage
C) To handle serial communication
D) To increase processing speed

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25. Which of the following storage types is commonly used for embedded system applications?

A) Hard disk drive
B) Flash memory
C) Optical drive
D) Tape drive

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26. Which type of embedded systems is typically used in critical environments like medical or aerospace systems?

A) Soft real-time systems
B) Hard real-time systems
C) General-purpose systems
D) Distributed systems

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27. What is the main benefit of using an embedded system in industrial applications?

A) High speed
B) High complexity
C) Reliability and stability
D) General-purpose use

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28. What role does an interrupt service routine (ISR) play in an embedded system?

A) It enhances user interface
B) It executes when a specific event occurs, interrupting the main program
C) It allocates memory
D) It ensures power efficiency

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29. What is the most commonly used timer type in embedded systems?

A) Countdown timer
B) Stop timer
C) Watchdog timer
D) Performance timer

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30. Which of the following is a common real-time operating system (RTOS) used in embedded systems?

A) Windows 10
B) Linux
C) FreeRTOS
D) macOS

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31. What does “latency” refer to in an embedded system?

A) The amount of power consumed
B) The time delay between an event and a response
C) The amount of data stored
D) The size of the memory

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32. Which of the following is a common tool used for debugging embedded systems?

A) Logic analyzer
B) Word processor
C) Graphics editor
D) Web browser

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33. What does “bootloader” refer to in an embedded system?

A) A program that starts the operating system
B) A driver for peripherals
C) A power-saving feature
D) A memory management tool

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34. Which feature of embedded systems ensures minimal power consumption?

A) Dynamic voltage scaling
B) Overclocking
C) Multithreading
D) Increased core count

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35. Which communication protocol is commonly used in automotive embedded systems?

A) Bluetooth
B) CAN (Controller Area Network)
C) Wi-Fi
D) Ethernet

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36. What is the primary use of an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) in embedded systems?

A) To convert digital data to analog
B) To convert analog signals to digital
C) To enhance memory capacity
D) To increase processing speed

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37. What is a “system on chip” (SoC) in embedded systems?

A) A full computer system on a single chip
B) A type of memory
C) A network protocol
D) A user interface

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38. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of embedded systems?

A) Dedicated to a specific task
B) Real-time operation
C) Low power consumption
D) High scalability for various applications

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39. Which of the following is a type of sensor used in embedded systems for measuring physical properties?

A) Thermal sensor
B) Graphics card
C) RAM
D) CPU

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40. In embedded systems, what is the purpose of a “sensor” device?

A) To display data
B) To detect and measure physical properties like temperature or pressure
C) To process user inputs
D) To store data

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41. Which of the following microcontrollers is widely used in the field of embedded systems for robotics?

A) Intel Core i5
B) Arduino
C) AMD Ryzen
D) NVIDIA GPU

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42. Which method is used to reduce EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) in embedded systems?

A) Shielding cables
B) Increasing voltage
C) Using larger displays
D) Running multiple processes

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43. What is the main difference between an embedded system and a general-purpose system?

A) Embedded systems are used for games
B) Embedded systems are dedicated to specific tasks, while general-purpose systems are not
C) General-purpose systems are faster
D) Embedded systems are always more expensive

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44. What does “Flash memory” in embedded systems typically store?

A) Temporary data
B) Operating system and firmware
C) User files
D) Game data

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45. What type of signal does a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) in embedded systems output?

A) Digital signal
B) Analog signal
C) Clock signal
D) Timing signal

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46. Which is NOT an example of an embedded system?

A) Microwave oven control system
B) Airplane flight control system
C) Tablet computer
D) Car’s anti-lock braking system (ABS)

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47. What is the purpose of using a “kernel” in an embedded operating system?

A) To manage hardware resources
B) To design user interfaces
C) To encrypt data
D) To store multimedia content

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48. What is the primary advantage of using an 8-bit microcontroller in embedded systems?

A) High performance
B) Low power consumption
C) High cost
D) Large memory size

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49. What does “real-time clock” (RTC) refer to in embedded systems?

A) A clock for the user interface
B) A timer that counts time in real-time, often for timekeeping functions
C) A method for overclocking
D) A tool for storing multimedia

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50. What does “GPIO” stand for in embedded systems?

A) General-purpose input/output
B) General-purpose instruction operation
C) Graphics processor integration output
D) Ground potential input-output

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51. Which of the following is an example of a volatile memory used in embedded systems?

A) EEPROM
B) SRAM
C) Flash memory
D) Hard disk

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52. Which communication protocol is used for short-distance, low-power wireless communication in embedded systems?

A) Zigbee
B) Ethernet
C) USB
D) Bluetooth

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53. What is the main advantage of using Direct Memory Access (DMA) in embedded systems?

A) Reduces the burden on the CPU
B) Increases memory size
C) Decreases cost
D) Improves graphical performance

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54. What is the primary role of a “bootloader” in embedded systems?

A) To execute the main application
B) To initialize the hardware and load the operating system
C) To control the user interface
D) To manage memory

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55. In embedded systems, what does an “actuator” do?

A) Transmits data
B) Executes control commands to manipulate physical systems
C) Stores digital data
D) Converts digital signals to analog

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56. Which of the following is NOT a power management technique used in embedded systems?

A) Dynamic voltage scaling
B) Idle mode
C) Overclocking
D) Sleep mode

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57. Which of the following best describes a hard real-time system?

A) A system where missing a deadline may degrade the performance but not lead to failure
B) A system where missing a deadline leads to complete system failure
C) A system where the user controls the timing
D) A system that does not prioritize timing constraints

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58. What does “RTOS” stand for in embedded systems?

A) Real-time operating system
B) Rapid task operation system
C) Realtime transaction operating structure
D) Random task-oriented system

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59. In an embedded system, what is the purpose of a “watchdog timer”?

A) To increase memory
B) To restart the system if a fault occurs
C) To reduce power consumption
D) To enhance graphical performance

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60. Which microcontroller family is popular for hobbyists and prototyping embedded systems?

A) ARM Cortex
B) Intel Core
C) Arduino
D) AMD Ryzen

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61. What type of memory is often used to store the firmware in embedded systems?

A) SRAM
B) EEPROM
C) DRAM
D) ROM

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62. Which is a characteristic of an embedded system’s hardware?

A) General-purpose processor
B) Dedicated processor for specific tasks
C) High-level user interface
D) Unlimited memory resources

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63. In embedded systems, what does “I2C” refer to?

A) A programming language
B) A communication protocol
C) A graphical interface
D) A memory management unit

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64. What is the key purpose of using a real-time operating system (RTOS) in an embedded system?

A) To increase system security
B) To handle multiple tasks with strict timing constraints
C) To provide a user-friendly interface
D) To improve graphical performance

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65. Which of the following components is essential for processing analog signals in embedded systems?

A) DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)
B) Sensor
C) CPU
D) Timer

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66. Which term refers to the time it takes for a system to respond to an external event?

A) Latency
B) Throughput
C) Bandwidth
D) Efficiency

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67. What type of architecture is commonly used in embedded systems for low-power applications?

A) Von Neumann architecture
B) Harvard architecture
C) Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)
D) Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)

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68. What is a key characteristic of a soft real-time system in embedded systems?

A) Tasks are completed without any delay
B) Missing a deadline may degrade the system performance but doesn’t cause system failure
C) System failure occurs immediately if a deadline is missed
D) It doesn’t operate in real-time

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69. What is the role of a scheduler in an embedded system’s RTOS?

A) To manage power consumption
B) To allocate CPU time to various tasks
C) To control data transmission
D) To perform encryption

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70. Which protocol is commonly used in embedded systems for communication over long distances?

A) I2C
B) SPI
C) CAN
D) Zigbee

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71. Which of the following storage devices is typically used in embedded systems for long-term data retention?

A) RAM
B) Flash memory
C) Registers
D) Cache

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72. Which type of memory loses its contents when power is turned off in an embedded system?

A) EEPROM
B) Flash memory
C) SRAM
D) DRAM

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73. Which interface allows embedded systems to interact with external devices?

A) UART
B) BIOS
C) GPU
D) Keyboard

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74. Which of the following protocols supports full-duplex communication in embedded systems?

A) I2C
B) SPI
C) UART
D) Ethernet

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75. In an embedded system, what does “timer” help to control?

A) Time-sensitive tasks
B) Memory allocation
C) Network protocols
D) Graphical output

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76. Which term describes the software responsible for controlling embedded system hardware?

A) Middleware
B) Driver
C) Scheduler
D) Bootloader

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77. Which of the following is a type of embedded system used in mobile phones?

A) Hard real-time system
B) Soft real-time system
C) Hybrid system
D) Distributed system

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78. What does “SPI” stand for in embedded systems?

A) Serial Peripheral Interface
B) System Protocol Integration
C) Standard Performance Input
D) Single Processing Instruction

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79. In embedded systems, what is the function of a watchdog timer?

A) Reduces the power consumption of the system
B) Monitors system operations and resets the system in case of failure
C) Increases the system’s processing speed
D) Decreases the system’s temperature

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80. Which type of embedded system uses sensors to gather environmental data?

A) Distributed embedded systems
B) Networked embedded systems
C) Reactive embedded systems
D) Embedded control systems

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81. Which embedded system feature is necessary for handling multiple input/output operations?

A) Scheduler
B) Interrupts
C) Compiler
D) Debugger

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82. What is the typical purpose of an embedded system in a digital camera?

A) To run a full-featured operating system
B) To handle image capture and processing
C) To perform large-scale database operations
D) To manage wireless communication

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83. Which type of embedded system can operate without any user intervention after initialization?

A) Reactive embedded system
B) Stand-alone embedded system
C) Networked embedded system
D) Real-time embedded system

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84. What is the role of an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) in an embedded system?

A) To store data
B) To convert analog signals into digital signals
C) To control peripheral devices
D) To manage memory

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85. Which of the following is a key advantage of using an embedded Linux system?

A) Low cost
B) Real-time performance
C) Open-source flexibility
D) Low power consumption

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86. In an embedded system, which of the following describes a microcontroller?

A) A multipurpose integrated circuit
B) A small computer on a single integrated circuit
C) A real-time operating system
D) A hardware debugging tool

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87. What is the main function of a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) in embedded systems?

A) To process audio and video signals
B) To manage memory
C) To control hardware peripherals
D) To provide graphical output

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88. Which communication protocol in embedded systems is most commonly used for sensor data transmission over short distances?

A) USB
B) I2C
C) Ethernet
D) SPI

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89. What does the acronym “GPIO” stand for in embedded systems?

A) General Power Input Output
B) General Purpose Input Output
C) Graphical Peripheral Interface Output
D) Grounding Protection Interface Output

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90. Which of the following is a key requirement for developing firmware for embedded systems?

A) High-level user interface
B) Direct hardware control
C) Large memory footprint
D) Virtual memory management

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91. What is the primary role of an embedded system in a washing machine?

A) To run graphical user interfaces
B) To control the machine’s mechanical operations
C) To store large databases
D) To provide cloud-based functionality

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92. In embedded systems, what does the term “bare-metal programming” refer to?

A) Writing software without any abstraction layers, directly interacting with the hardware
B) Using a high-level operating system to control hardware
C) Running applications on a virtual machine
D) Programming with high-level languages like Python

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93. Which of the following is a characteristic of an embedded system?

A) General-purpose functionality
B) Task-specific design
C) Continuous upgrading
D) User-customizable hardware

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94. Which type of embedded system is commonly used in time-critical applications like industrial automation?

A) Soft real-time systems
B) Hard real-time systems
C) Hybrid systems
D) Cloud-based systems

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95. What role do sensors play in embedded systems?

A) They store program data
B) They convert physical signals into electrical signals for processing
C) They act as actuators
D) They provide memory management

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96. What is the function of an actuator in an embedded system?

A) To convert a signal into physical action
B) To control memory operations
C) To process digital signals
D) To perform real-time data analysis

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97. What does “low-power embedded systems” refer to?

A) Systems designed for high-speed processing
B) Systems optimized for minimum energy consumption
C) Systems with large storage capacity
D) Systems designed for complex computation

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98. Which type of memory is often used for temporary data storage in embedded systems?

A) ROM
B) SRAM
C) Flash memory
D) Hard drive

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99. What is a key feature of embedded systems used in medical devices?

A) Real-time processing
B) High-level graphical interfaces
C) User programmability
D) Remote cloud access

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100. Which software tool is commonly used to simulate and test embedded systems during development?

A) Compiler
B) Emulator
C) Text editor
D) Spreadsheet

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