Interrupt Latency: The Sleeping Dragon of Embedded Systems

Interrupt latency in embedded systems is the time from when an interrupt occurs to when the corresponding ISR executes. High latency can jeopardize real-time functionality in critical applications like airbag deployment. Factors affecting latency include priority levels, CPU cycles, and context switching. Optimizing ISRs and utilizing low-latency processors can mitigate this issue.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭?

An interrupt is a signal to the processor of an event needing immediate attention. Efficiency: allows CPU to work on other tasks until a device needs attention. Error Handling: provides a mechanism for the system to handle unexpected events. Interrupt Overhead: Time taken to save and restore CPU status. Crucial in embedded systems for multitasking and error handling.