An embedded system is simply a computer system with an embedded processing device, usually a microprocessor. Embedded systems - sam-solutions.com/services/embedded/embedded-soft… are used in everything from digital photography to automated machinery; they are seen in watches and calculators, as well as medical equipment and mobile phones. A microprocessor is the brain of an embedded system, feeding instructions from main memory to the various components that make up the embedded system. In essence, microprocessors control how the embedded system works.