Embedded Software Engineering is the process of controlling various devices and machines that are different from traditional computers, using software engineering.
Integrating software engineering with non-computer devices leads to the formation of embedded systems. Embedded systems are typically popular in medical science, consumer electronics, manufacturing science, aviation and automotive technology.
A typical embedded system requires a wide range of programming tools, microprocessors and operating systems. Embedded software engineering, performed by embedded software engineers, needs to be tailored to the needs of the hardware that it has to control and run on.
The software and operating system requirements of an embedded system is also different from a traditional computer based system. Typically embedded systems use basic embedded system software such as C, C++, ADA, etc. Some specialized embedded systems may use OS such as Windows CE, LINUX, TreadX, Nucleus RTOS, OSE, etc.
Embedded software engineering also differs from traditional application development in terms of the additional consideration to external factors such as temperature and other environmental factors that may affect performance.
The embedded software engineer, or embedded software developer, has for mission to develop optimized code for specific hardware platforms.
Moreover, the embedded software engineer takes into account the additional constraints related to the field of use of the final product (e.g., code for the aerospace industry is not developed the same way as for the multimedia industry).
There are many job responsibilities associated with embedded software engineering, such as:
- Defining specifications
- Developing software bricks (e.g., drivers) or complete products, potentially with security constraints
- Participating in the implementation of a software architecture
- Running unit tests of modules and taking care of debugging
- Ensuring the maintenance of the delivered code
Want to learn more? Tonex offers Software Engineering for Embedded Systems Training Workshop, a 4-day course that provides participants with the techniques and technologies in software engineering to optimally design and implement an embedded system.
You will also learn about key embedded systems software engineering problems/issues and references to their solution. Additionally, participants will discover core methods and how to apply them, examples that demonstrate timeless implementation details, case studies, design guidelines and trade-offs.
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.