Way of Working
The ESI is one of the few research institutes in the world that address embedded systems design at the multidisciplinary systems level. The ESI distinguishes itself through its positioning between academia and industry and through the strong industrial role in its research projects. As far as we know, the ESI is the only embedded systems institute in the world that is thus positioned. It is the explicit goal of the ESI to develop into a center of expertise with international, technological leadership in embedded systems design. The research projects are the means to achieve that position. To make that possible the kernel of the ESI has a research staff to transform and consolidate the results of the research projects into tangible knowledge and expertise.
Network Institute
The ESI consists of a kernel and a network. In the kernel the ESI builds up its expertise in embedded systems design. The research staff in the kernel is especially focused at the multidisciplinary systems level. Together with its partners the ESI carries out the research projects. The partners in the network provide the necessary disciplinary contributions and product/market expertise in these projects.
At the end of 2004 the ESI kernel counts 17 people (in FTE) and the ESI network 60. The researchers in the network come from 13 different academic and industrial organizations in the Netherlands. The kernel and the network are expected to grow to 35 and 150 FTE, respectively. These numbers are based on available budgets until 2011.
Industry-as-Laboratory
The research projects are carried out in an industrial context. This context is essential for three reasons. First, it is a means to get access to the vast body of (usually implicit) design knowledge among engineers and architects in industry. Second, it is the way the ESI uses to acquire practical design experience. Research in design methods cannot be done without actually building embedded systems(1). The ESI uses the system provided by the Carrying Industrial Partner (CIP) as such. Third, it provides a laboratory setting to test and verify the applicability of the methods developed at the ESI. Leading European industries act as CIPs; thus far Philips, ASML, and Océ. All projects are ‘one roof’ projects; they can be carried out at the ESI, at the CIP, or at one of the other partners involved. The ESI is responsible for all project management.
Multiple Market/Application Domains
In order to test the genericity of the design methods developed at the ESI, the methods are tried in various domains. The choice of the actual domains is opportunity driven. The current domains are Professional Devices (office equipment, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, health care imaging equipment) and Consumer Electronics (digital television). Automotive is a domain the ESI certainly wants to enter as well.
(1) The experience is that the time spent on reflection and abstraction is only a fraction of the time spent on actual design
