How I Got Addicted to Embedded System Development?

First I am thankful to E-Learning center of College of Engg., GITAM, where I first explored to embedded systems. During 6^th semester I was introduced to the new buzz term Embedded System and started gathering information. On the way, www.embedded.com and www.techonline.com helped great extent. Finally, I had finished my academic project in making small embedded system (Crawling Message Display using 8051). Most of my friends opted career in service sector or abroad after engineering, where as I stick to my loving smart systems development, and struggled a bit to get an edge.

I still hear some pessimistic opinions about development of embedded systems in India. Even, few of colleagues, some professional networking portal friends, and few experienced also were not sure of the career prospects in this area. However, I am optimistic in nature and keep abreast of technological changes to cope up the time to market needs. I don’t have any concerns about embedded systems development in India, we definitely have bright future. I shall document my learning for would be professionals.

I believe embedded development requires dedicated learning and multidisciplinary engineering skills. It is always suggested to learn from experts, other engineers and from our own experiences.

I have collected an article long ago, same presented here. Infact, my imagination about the future of embedded systems is much advanced than what the article covers. I am not sure of the statistical data given at the end, after observing the offers that I am getting from various Indian giants I believe the figures might be correct.

Just read on…

Source: http://archives.infotech.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-980521,flstry-1.cms

Embedded systems: can India win?

5 Jan, 2005, 0007 hrs IST, Pradeep Kurup, INDIATIMES NEWS NETWORK

Embedded systems technology is a field that is fast making waves in the Infotech world.

Though many developed countries have made huge strides in the technology, the huge skill requirement coupled with essential working experience and infrastructure needed for the sector has made India an eligible candidate to lead the embedded systems revolution.

The technology that has become a part of everyday life has thrown open huge opportunity, though countries like Japan, Thailand and South Korea have made huge strides dealing with the predecessor to embedded systems technology, i.e. microprocessor.

But, as the world gets logged on to more and more Internet applications in everyday life, the computing technology needs to keep pace by mastering a technology that will looks beyond microprocessor.

So, the need is applications that are manageable, adaptable, scalable, and flexible.

What are embedded systems?

Embedded systems are combination of computer hardware and software, and perhaps additional mechanical or other parts, designed to perform a dedicated function.

In some cases, embedded systems are part of a larger system or product, as in the case of an antilock braking system in a car. Contrast with general-purpose computer.

Embedded systems are the applications that fuel some of the microprocessors that play a hidden but crucial role in our everyday lives.

An embedded system consists of two components: a compact, ultra reliable operating system that controls the microprocessor inside a device, and the suite of applications that runs on the operating system.

VLSI is just about chip design, designing hardware, whereas embedded systems are a composite solution of creating software for a given hardware to deliver required functionality.

Where are embedded systems mostly used?

Embedded systems are fast and smart microprocessors, smaller in size, that are the very life of home appliances.

Embedded systems have revolutionized home electronics by making them smarter.

The future of home electronics industry is the link with Internet, so that they become operational from anywhere. This will be helped by advances in embedded systems.

Embedded systems find application in microwave ovens, cell phones, calculators, digital watches, VCRs, cruise missiles, GPS receivers, heart monitors, laser printers, radar guns, engine controllers, digital cameras, traffic lights, remote controls, bread machines, fax machines, pagers, cash registers, treadmills, gas pumps, credit/debit card readers, thermostats, pacemakers, blood gas monitors, grain analyzers, and what not.

What's the market for embedded systems?

The world market for embedded systems development is around $25 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16%.

The embedded systems technology was $250 million industry in 1998.

Cisco, Wind River Systems, Sun Microsystems, Integrated Systems, Microware Systems, and QNX Software Systems are among the prominent developers of embedded systems.

According to a study, Future of Embedded Systems Technologies, the market for embedded systems is expected to grow at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 13% over the period.

The market for embedded systems are divided into 4 segments, namely, embedded software, embedded processors, embedded boards and embedded memory.

Embedded processors are divided into microcontroller (MCU), microprocessor (MPU), and digital signal processor (DSP) segments.

Embedded Memory includes various types of random access memory (RAM) and programmable read-only memory (PROM) memory, as well as flash memory.

Software for embedded applications which includes real-time operating systems and portable operating systems will grow at an AAGR of over 16%. Both Microsoft and Sun have entered the embedded systems marketplace with their Windows CE and Java offerings respectively.

Embedded processors, the largest segment in terms of revenue, will grow at 11.2% on average per year.

Market for embedded memory products will rise at an AAGR of 17.7%.

Embedded boards will see a respectable AAGR of 13.1%.

Why's the market for embedded systems booming?

Embedded products are no more limited just to the high-end technology related tools. They are very much an integral part of our life today.

Everyday home appliances, phones, toys, entertainment systems and printers, though find extensive use of embedded systems, are first generation systems.

The advent of the internet and the need for convergence has ushered a new era in the field of embedded systems.

The modern-day embedded processors are being designed specifically for Net-centric markets.

The emerging embedded processors will ensure new CPU architectures that promise high-end performance and customization.

Analysts are of the view that the next generation hardware and software supported by embedded technology will be more manageable, adaptable, scalable, and flexible.

The embedded systems applications will branch out areas as diverse as wireless, internet and mobile communications, industrial control, test and measurement, networking, aerospace and automotive control, consumer electronics, digital imaging and defense.

What's the future of embedded systems in India?

India has the potential to make substantial revenues in embedded systems development exports.

At present India exports embedded systems worth to the tune of $1 billion and this could grow to $5 billion within two to three years.

India could offer embedded system development services along with manufacturing and market embedded system solutions.

Apart from Infotech services companies, substantial embedded systems development is being done by multinationals such as Texas Instruments and Intel.

India has a bright future in embedded systems as the availability of skilled manpower is in abundance.

Embedded system requires considerable domain knowledge, say in automotive, telecom or medical for which the system has to be designed.

15% of HCL staff is working on embedded systems. It contributes more than 30% of HCL Technologies revenues.

The high level of technological and domain skills required by embedded system are available in India, which gives a definite edge for the country.

TCS is fast moving up the value chain. The largest software exporter of the country has been developing embedded systems for overseas as well as domestic clients. Now, along with the outsourced operations, TCS is planning to design embedded systems itself.

Seeing the huge market potential, TCS will be manufacturing the systems in a fabrication unit located elsewhere and marketing it in the India and abroad.

Wipro has around 4,000 people in embedded systems. If the telecom services are included then the number goes up to 9,000.

Come on, learn the technology and grab the opportunity…

People Whom I Admire – Dr. Verghese Kurien

I heard about Dr. Kurien in a GK class during 10^th. Later I read about him in Annadaatha magazine, followed by news media. He is father of White Revolution in India, and Anand village in Gujarat is recognized world wide due to his efforts. Amul is his brain child. Dr. Kurien is the first person who demonstrated making milk pudding (cheek) from normal milk. Unfortunately, because of improper politics he was forced to quit from his role. Now India is largest milk producer in the world and second maker of milk products after Swiss. We still have to improve on productivity. We can read some of his thoughts from the book “I too had a Dream”.

People Whom I Admire – Aruna Roy

I had one question earlier, does information is a wealth? Even though I have seen evaluation of Internet and computer closely from past decade I haven’t realized its importance till Aruna Roy (IAS) and others initiated RTI movement. As a citizen of this country I should be thankful to the government and democracy. Aruna Roy started Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan which became pioneers of Indian RTI movement. A winner of Ramon Magsaysay (treated Asian Nobel Prize), we (India) can learn lot from this former IAS officer in small and precise articles.

People Whom I Admire – Dr. Kalam

I hope no need of introduction, yet would like to mention what learnt from him. Few words like, “make big steps, but ensure it on the top of hill”. It helps me in making calculated risk.

I will update few other notes.

People Whom I Admire – My Parents

Yes, they are visible gods. I don’t know much about the word God, it is immaterial for me. Matru, Pitru and Aacharya… there is no word of god in these phrases. They are the first roll models of my life. One of the seers in Andhra (of-course I don’t believe them too) about whom I heard from my school teacher, preaches to love parents and co-human. I appreciate his effort. They are ultimate. Even, if at all god exists, can’t feel the kind of intimacy and dearness as parents.