Role of Interrupts in Embedded Systems

In embedded systems, interrupts play a crucial role in handling real-time events. Interrupts are signals sent by external hardware peripherals or internal sources within the microcontroller that require immediate attention. When an interrupt is triggered, the microcontroller temporarily suspends its current task to execute the interrupt service routine (ISR).

Interrupts are used to handle time-sensitive events or tasks that require immediate processing, such as receiving data from sensors, responding to external stimuli, or managing communication protocols. By using interrupts, embedded systems can efficiently respond to external events without the need for continuous polling, which can waste valuable processing resources.

Overall, interrupts in embedded systems provide a mechanism for handling real-time events in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring that critical tasks are processed promptly while allowing the microcontroller to perform other operations simultaneously.