New challenges for embedded developers: highly complex 'hidden' electronics for intelligent end-devices

Computer/Embedded Technology

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11 August 2004 Computer/Embedded Technology Information Security

For the developers of embedded systems, the increasing 'intelligence' of end devices means greater system complexity, which heightens the risk of errors in all stages of embedded development. The competitive situation among embedded system providers has been toughened by increasing pressure to put new products on the market as quickly as possible and by the need for unlimited flexibility during software development to enable fast reactions to any changes in demand.

At the same time, demand calls for better hardware that can keep pace with new software functionalities and be customised to meet specific customer needs. In keeping with these requirements, embedded platforms have become highly flexible. Simultaneously, however, in order to accelerate time-to-market, they have become highly integrated and tailored to special applications, such as those required by the automotive industry. Today's embedded systems employ primarily 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit processors. In the future, 64-bit architectures are expected to provide even more processing power while simultaneously reducing memory and energy requirements. In all cases, the challenge for both software and hardware is to provide higher performance at high availability levels more quickly while simultaneously lowering costs wherever possible.

Consequently, in light of the increasingly stringent requirements, it has become a necessity for developers of embedded software to gain an up-to-date overview of the wide range of offerings for embedded operating systems and complete development solutions as well as IDEs, middleware and protocol stacks. Simultaneously, developers have a strong need for practical programming knowledge, for example with regard to the possibilities for employing Linux or the programming languages UML (Unified Modeling Language) and Java.

Within the framework of electronica 2004, which is being held in Munich from 9-12 November, 2004, 'Embedded in Munich' will bring both embedded software developers and embedded hardware specialists up-to-date on the latest technological developments. As exhibitors, leading companies from the embedded sector will be presenting all the latest developments in the areas of realtime operating systems, emulators, compilers, debuggers and simulators. Embedded components, boards and computers as well as processors and microcontrollers for ap-plications in industrial, communications, entertainment, medical and automotive electronics will be exhibited by hardware specialists.

For more information see www.electronica.de.

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New challenges for embedded developers: highly complex 'hidden' electronics for intelligent end-devices

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