1.1 What Makes an Embedded Application Tick?

This is very much a "setting the scene" article, based upon one that I wrote for NewBits in late 2003 and a talk that I have delivered at numerous seminars. It introduces many embedded software issues and concepts that are covered in more detail elsewhere in this book. (CW)

Embedded systems are everywhere. You cannot get away from them. In the average American household, there are around 40 microprocessors, not counting PCs (which contribute another 5 10 each) or cars (which typically contain a few dozen). And these numbers are predicted to rise by a couple of orders of magnitude over the next decade or two. It is rather ironic that most people outside of the electronics business have no idea what "embedded" actually means.

Marketing people are fond of segmenting markets. The theory is that such segmentation analysis will yield better products by fulfilling the requirements of each segment in a specific way. For embedded, we end up with segments like telecom, mil/aero, process control, consumer and automotive. Increasingly though, devices come along that do not fit this model. For example, is a cell phone with a camera a telecom or consumer product? Who cares? An interesting area of consideration is the commonality of such applications. The major...