The document discusses embedded systems and provides examples of embedded system architectures. It defines embedded systems as computing systems designed to perform specific functions, in contrast to general purpose computers. The key characteristics of embedded systems include being single-purpose, requiring real-time performance, having physical size and cost constraints, and prioritizing low power usage. Common embedded system components include processors, memory, and input/output interfaces. The document also provides an example of designing an embedded system to compute the greatest common divisor of two numbers.