A platform based approach for embedded systems software development

Abstract

A platform based approach for product development allows companies to eliminate redundancies, efficiently utilize its resources and provide products for a wider market. The basic idea is to develop and share key components and to introduce new technologies in as many products as possible. The automobile industry has for long used the concept of product platforms and has successfully achieved savings in development costs and seen a growth in sales and market share. By creating a common software platform, this concept can be applied to software development for embedded systems where software modules and applications can be shared across products within a product family. This provides better code reuse and increases standardizations across products. This thesis will examine how the concept of platforms can be applied to software development from the viewpoint of the telecommunications industry. By using the power of a common software platform, telecommunication equipment makers can accelerate product delivery and introduce new technologies to a wider range of customers. With the right strategy, they can also make their products into platforms that serve as a foundation on which other companies can develop products and offer their services.