Embedded Systems Engineering
| Embedded systems engineering (ESE) is an overarching discipline that integrates embedded systems technology with system engineering approaches to achieve the best overall high technology product, application or service. It has a strong quantitative basis involving modeling, analysis, simulation, and integration and test strategies to achieve the desired results. It requires an integrated system view, where the interdependencies between the disciplines and technologies are made explicit and manageable. This area of research is extremely diverse and is only partially addressed by existing research institutes and academic groups.
In summary, embedded systems engineering can be characterized as follows:
|
 |
Focal areas in embedded systems engineering are:
1 Embedded system performance
Embedded system performance is a differentiating factor for most high-tech embedded system applications. Design for system performance increasingly requires a multidisciplinary approach with multi-objective trade-offs (such as power, cost, accuracy and speed) to create highly optimized systems that are successful in the market.
2 Embedded system reliability and security
Embedded system reliability and security are key design considerations, not only for safety critical systems, but for all types of embedded systems. Undesired emergent system properties resulting from unproven technology and undesirable feature interaction may threaten system reliability. Similarly, since embedded systems do not operate in isolation, they are vulnerable to all kinds of security attacks. A range of theories and methods is needed to predict, analyze, improve and certify the reliable and secure operation of embedded systems.
3 Embedded system evolvability
A main challenge is the design of embedded system architectures and functional components that give flexibility to support multiple product generations or future product applications. This requires theory and methods that address the re-use of design assets within an environment of continuous technology and product evolution.