A Comprehensive Guide to Embedded Software Development

Embedded systems are everywhere. You can find them in modern medical devices, automobiles, consumer electronics, and more. Many industries use embedded software development to automate and streamline product processes, making them more economical and eco-friendly, reducing human errors, and monitoring energy and production resources.

These elements have transformed how we interact with technology in our daily life. Research and market analysts report that the global market for embedded systems will reach a growth rate of 6.5% by 2024. Below, we’ll help you understand embedded software development, its essential components, its various types, and how different industries utilize it.

What is Embedded Software?

Embedded software is created, built, and embedded into any hardware or non-PC device to control specific functions, such as a TV remote control, calculator, and automobile. Unlike traditional computer applications, which you install and modify to provide various functions, embedded software is written specifically for that hardware.

It has restricted processing and memory constraints as the hardware has limited computing abilities. Unlike firmware, which is created during the development of hardware components and serves as the technical system, developers produce embedded systems much later with their specific purposes in mind.

Developers usually write embedded software in C or C++, but software engineers also use other programming languages such as Javascript, Python, Java, and C#. Developers need knowledge outside of the programming language, such as understanding the hardware they’re working with. Due to its interaction with the hardware component, the software must work in real-time to execute the device’s time-dependent applications.

Due to its vital safe operation, you can integrate embedded software into machines, airplanes, cars, and automotive technologies. Its safety and security framework should include the following features:

• Functionality
• Usability
• Efficiency
• Reliability
• Transferability
• Adaptability

At the end of its development, developers check the FIT (failure in time) to see errors occurring within one billion operating hours. The developers then seek to minimize the FIT, making it as close to zero as possible.

Basic Components

An embedded system has software components, hardware components, and an operating system to control the software. Here these parts and their functions are briefly explained.

1.   Hardware Components

The hardware components consist of

• Power supply: it provides power to the embedded system circuit. The supply’s source can be a battery or a wall adaptor, which developers select based on application or user requirements.
• Processor: The processor acts like the system’s brain and dictates its performance. The processor makes the embedded system act as a microprocessor or microcontroller. And you need higher-bit processors for larger applications.
• User interface: It consists of features, actions, buttons, and displays.
• Communication ports: this allows the system to communicate with external computers or systems, such as through a USB port, firewire, universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), and controller area network (CAN).
• Memory: memory is often present in the microcontroller. The two types of memory are RAM (Random access memory) and ROM (Read-only memory). RAM is volatile, meaning data memory is stored temporarily and lost when you switch the system off, while ROM (also classified as code memory) holds the program. After you switch the device on, the system gets its code from ROM to operate.
• Time counters: some applications, such as LED display applications, require some delay. Developers decide the delay period using the system frequency and crystal oscillator.

2.   Software Components

Let’s look at the several types of embedded software development tools.

• Editor: You save the code you will write in a text file within the editor.
• Compiler: It converts the written code into a language the machine can comprehend and develops an executable program.
• Assembler: It also converts written code into machine language, but unlike a compiler which directly converts it, an assembler converts source code into object code and then to machine language.
• Emulator: An emulator helps you understand how your code functions in real time. You can also use it to run an operating system on different devices.
• Linker: You write codes in small modules or pieces, and a linker takes the object files to combine them into executable code.
• Debugger: it tests and debugs the code of errors or bugs and identifies their location so programmers can swiftly fix them.

Types of Embedded Systems

We can define the different types of embedded systems by their functionality attributes, such as:

• Standalone: They perform one or a few tasks independently from other systems. They’re basic, often lacking operating systems, and are found in digital alarm clocks.
• Networked: They use a network system to share and exchange information with other devices or servers. Networked systems are commonly used in sensors and smart-home systems.
• Real-time: They are required to perform their tasks within a time limit. Examples include military defense systems or medical devices like pacemakers. Failure of real-time systems can have drastic consequences, such as loss of life.
• Mobile: They are lightweight, can be networked, operate independently, and are easy to carry. You can find mobile systems in digital cameras and smartphones.

Embedded Software Development Prevalence Across Industries

Embedded systems increase efficiency and accuracy in various industries. Here are a few examples.

1.   Healthcare

The healthcare industry uses embedded software in imaging systems such as PET scanners, MRI, ECG machines, X-ray technology, and CAT scans. The software is also present in auditory medical devices like electronic stethoscopes.

Medical embedded systems allow individuals to monitor their health from home. For instance, patients with diabetes can use glucose monitors to check their blood sugar levels. And it aids doctors with remote monitoring. For example, embedded pacemaker technology works with mobile EKG machines that alert doctors to inconsistent heartbeats.

2.  Automotive

By far, the automotive industry is one of the most significant users of embedded systems. Some of the most important functionalities are based on embedded technology, such as traction control (TCS) and Electronic stability program (ESP). They control and monitor a vehicle’s safety features, such as airbags, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and seat belts.

The embedded system also enhances a vehicle’s performance. ECUs (electronic control units) optimize vehicle performance by controlling airflow, ignition timing, and fuel injection. By optimizing fuel consumption, they reduce the automobile’s gas emissions, making them more environmentally friendly. Embedded systems developers drive innovation by creating electric, connected, and autonomous vehicles.

3.  Consumer Electronics and Telecommunications

You can find embedded systems in many consumer electronic categories, like home security systems and printers. Home appliances like washing machines, coffee machines, refrigerators, and microwave ovens also use simple embedded software.

You can also find embedded technologies in telecommunication, such as mobile phones, network switches, and data routers. In these devices, the system helps develop high-speed networking capabilities.

Endnote

Embedded systems play a significant role in the industries we see around us. As they continue to grow, they shape the technologies and world around us. They help increase productivity and efficiency and drive innovation while helping save costs. You need embedded technologies to thrive in the constantly changing, dynamic, and competitive industries and businesses around you.