Managing embedded software development in China

Abstract

As microprocessors have become smaller and cheaper, they are embedded in more and more non-computing products, such as washing machines, elevators, MP3 players and printers. It has been estimated that these products consumed 99% of the worldwide production of microprocessors. I In general, "Embedded system" means a computer system sitting inside a product other than a computer to make the product more flexible and controllable. For example, a modem washing machine has a control software system to execute different "washing programs" for different types of clothes. Embedded systems usually have strict requirements on response time, and the response must be generated within a finite and specified period, though depending on the situation, the time could be within a few milliseconds or a few seconds. Because of the special requirement on response time, embedded systems are sometimes called real-time systems. Embedded systems can be divided into two categories: hard and soft, according to the degree of required "timeliness" 2 . A hard embedded system is stringent on that the response must occur within a specified timeline. Typical examples are flight-control systems and missile control systems. A soft embedded system is less strict: response time is important but the system still can function properly given occasionally missed deadline. Examples are mobile phones, printers, and medical devices. This paper is only concerned with development of the soft-embedded systems, and hence the term "embedded systems" in the paper means "soft embedded systems".