On Target: Embedded Systems

Medical Devices Segment within Multicore Components & Tools Market Expected to Double by 2013

 

Industry’s considerable market opportunities highlighted in VDC’s 2011 Multicore Components & Tools Report

Intensifying graphical and high-definition imaging demands of ultrasound equipment, x-ray systems, and various patient monitoring devices have continued to promote the adoption of multicore processors in medical devices. Furthermore, the increasing mobility requirements of many medical devices have also served to drive interest in multicore due to its ability to satisfy specifications around light weight, low power consumption, and low heat dissipation.

VDC estimates that the commercial market for solutions powering devices in this sector reached nearly $16 million in 2010, a total expected to swell to more than $32 million by the end of the forecast period in 2013. However, because a myriad of these devices require FDA and other relevant certifications – and thus many OEMs remain concerned that the complexities of multicore might impede the certification process – these figures could be influenced (positively or negatively) by the aggressiveness with which OEMs transition to multicore in devices where certifications are required.

This recently completed research covers the global market – including market size and forecast; segmentations by product category, industry, and geographic region; and competitive market share – for software solutions for device/system development incorporating multicore processors, specifically including:

• Real-time and non real-time operating systems;
• Software development tools;
• Software and system modeling tools;
• Virtualization solutions;
• Communication/protocol/middleware stacks for multicore systems; and
• Other related products and services.

This report also includes select data cuts generated from our 2011 Embedded Engineering Survey, which had 870 total respondents.

For further information about VDC’s 2011 Multicore Components & Tools report, please contact Bob Perugini, Account Director, at 508.653.9000 ext. 144, or via email at rperugini@vdcresearch.com. 

 

What Do Engineers Prefer for a Host Development Platform?

Every year VDC conducts an extensive worldwide survey of embedded engineers and their development projects to better understand engineering requirements, preferences, and trends. This information is available from VDC in unique cross tabbed reports to offer readers a detailed, in-depth, view of engineers in the development project trenches.

Engineers use numerous tool types in their development projects. Tools range from compilers, debuggers, editors and build tools to software and system lifecycle management tools such as automated test and verification, modeling, and virtual prototyping tools. Some of the factors most important in the selection of tools include price/cost, technical capabilities, ease of use, and past experience.

One of the areas of interest to suppliers of embedded software development tools is to make sure that they target their investments to the type of platforms engineers prefer to use for their development. Based on VDC’s 2011 survey, embedded engineers cite the use of Windows and Linux-based systems as their preferred development environments.  Windows Vista has had minimal impact on PC’s used by engineers even looking back on VDC’s 2010 survey results, however, engineers expect development environments to migrate in significant numbers to Windows 7 from Windows XP over the next two years.

 

How does your development project stack up? Let us know through your feedback.

Our recently published report, Development Tools, from Track 2 of VDC's 2011 Embedded Software Market Intelligence Service provides additional statistical insight and analysis around this and other trends affecting embedded system development.  Click here for additional information and access to a free executive brief highlighting other key findings from our research.

Embedded Project Starts Expected to Increase Year-Over-Year

Every year VDC conducts an extensive worldwide survey of embedded engineers and their development projects to better understand engineering requirements, preferences, and trends. This information is available from VDC in unique cross tabbed reports to offer readers a detailed, in-depth, view of engineers in the development project trenches.

Quite frequently we receive requests from suppliers of the embedded community for statistics around company project starts as this metric is often seen as an important indicator of health and growth for the embedded industry. Based on VDC’s 2011 survey embedded engineers expect about a 15% increase in the aggregate in the number of project starts from 2010 to 2011. Certainly good news for embedded solution providers – both software and hardware.

However, while aggregate survey statistics are metrics of importance to many in the community, segmentation of data creates an additional lens on the information from which to analyze and develop product and marketing strategies. The following data is based on VDC’s 2011 embedded engineer survey and included in our Track 2 Volume 1: Operating Systems report which segments respondent data by the use different types of operating systems in their development projects.  The good news for suppliers is that all communities expect the number of project starts to increase year-over-year, however, engineers working at companies using no formal operating systems in there development project cite a much smaller percentage of increase.

 
Embedded engineering organizations continue to place value on development projects that do not require a formal operating system primarily around the requirements and functionality of the device/system under development. However, to a lesser extent commercial licensing costs, retraining, and protection of investment in legacy code can also be considerations for continued use of no formal OS in their development projects. The demand for new functionality, connectivity, and other capabilities is creating greater sophistication of devices and systems being developed and to be developed in the future. As such VDC continues to observe a migration of development projects to the use of formal operating systems creating increased opportunity for embedded software suppliers to offer their solutions.

How does your development project stack up? Let us know through your feedback.

Our recently published report, Operating Systems, from Track 2 of VDC's 2011 Embedded Software Market Intelligence Service provides additional statistical insight and analysis around this and other trends affecting embedded system development.  Click here for additional information and access to a free executive brief highlighting other key findings from our research.

Mobile and Embedded Virtualization Outlook

Engineer expectations are not always in line with reality

While embedded engineers’ use of Mobile and Embedded Virtualization (MEV) software has increased only modestly over the last several years, respondents to VDC’s Embedded Engineering Survey continue to expect a significant increase in the use of MEV software in future projects. With the percentage of 2011 survey respondents who believe they will be using virtualization run-time software nearly doubling when considering a future project, these expectations are demonstrative of the potential revenue opportunities available for vendors in this space. However, VDC also believes that the expectations of engineers are not always indicative of future adoption, as exhibited by the projected use of virtualization by 2008 survey respondents.

When considering these respondents segmented by vertical market, engineers developing mobile phones have exhibited the highest rate of use of MEV solutions, and the expected usage nearly doubled when looking forward to a future project. This rate of adoption is among the factors driving the success of leading mobile virtualization provider Open Kernel Labs and was likely one of the key determinants influencing Red Bend Software’s decision to enter this market through the acquisition of VirtualLogix. Furthermore, the potential opportunities within the market for mobile virtualization have re-stimulated the interest of enterprise/IT virtualization leader VMware, who recently announced a partnership with Samsung around the integration of VMware solutions within Samsung mobile devices.

Beyond mobile phones, engineers developing retail automation devices and consumer electronics represented the next highest level of adoption, while telecom/datacom and medical device developers exhibited high potential for future growth. However, VDC does not believe that MEV revenue growth will be limited to these areas. Because the potential benefits of virtualization can differ from industry to industry, solution providers may simply need to dedicate more resources toward the education of embedded engineers in order to stimulate growth in other areas.

VDC investigates this and other trends in recently published report, Virtualization for Mobile & Embedded Systems, from our 2011 Embedded Software & Tools Market Intelligence Service. Please contact us for more information.

Evolution of Embedded Devices Driving Increasing Use of x86 Processors

Just about a year ago we posted a blog titled “Taking a Bite Out of Apple’s Playbook”.  This post included an exhibit on the use of ARM architecture in embedded development projects. We recently looked at other architectures including x86, PowerPC, and MIPS.  Here’s what the data shows for 2007 and 2010 for x86.

The use of x86 architectures continues to increase within embedded development projects, however, at a much slower pace than what was observed and reported with the use of ARM architecture.  VDC expects that a large part of the increase is attributable to the evolution of embedded devices where a wide-range of PC-like devices (industrial, retail automation, medical, etc.) are now being developed by OEMs. These device types might not be resource constrained nor have real-time requirements that would have typified many embedded devices in the past and driven OEMs to select a smaller footprint or more deterministic RTOS. Instead they incorporate embedded operating systems such as Windows Embedded Enterprise (OSs originally designed for PCs), Windows Embedded Standard, and others that require an x86 processor.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see the impact, if any, on the future use of x86 architecture in development projects as a result of Microsoft developing future iterations of its desktop OSs for ARM architectures.  Both companies have had a long-term business relationship prior to their July 2010 announcement with Microsoft’s Windows Embedded CE/Compact -based operating systems including Windows Mobile/Phone 7 supporting the ARM architecture in device designs. The bigger question is how OEMs will respond when Windows 8 and the resulting Embedded Enterprise/Standard versions become available with support for ARM?

Stay tuned for PowerPC and MIPS results in future blog posts.

Related Posts:

·         Taking a Bite Out of Apples Playbook

Commercial Android Market Expected to Grow more than 65% in 2011, Driven by Expansion into New Device Classes

 

But what is the commercial opportunity around Android?

Android has stormed to the forefront of the mobile OS landscape in the last year or so, rivaled in popularity and mindshare only by Apple’s iOS. According to Google, more than 100 million Android devices have been activated to date, at a rate of more than 400,000 activations daily as of last month. Considering all the excitement and momentum behind this platform, ISVs have been scrambling to grab a piece of the Android pie, which, in terms of commercial support and services, VDC expects to grow by more than 65% in 2011.

However, a key question remains – what exactly is the commercial opportunity around Android?

The appeal of Android is rooted in its highly integrated software stack, which includes audio, bluetooth, camera, GPS, graphical user interface, radio, WiFi, and other functionality. Android’s success in the mobile space – led by Google, AT&T, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Verizon, and others – has inspired OEMs to evaluate the use of this platform in a variety of other types of devices, particularly those that place a premium on connectivity requirements, sophisticated user interaction, and application availability. However, Google has to this point remained primarily focused on smartphones and tablets, although the company did announce the Android Accessory Development Kit (ADK) and demonstrate the Android@Home framework for home automation at Google I/O earlier this month.

While Android’s integrated software stack is perhaps the platform’s most attractive attribute, the stack was designed primarily for mobile phones and the ARM architecture, which creates challenges for engineers attempting to build other types of Android-based devices. Given these challenges, VDC believes the key commercial opportunity around Android involves providing the tools and professional services that can enable engineers to optimize this platform for use on non-ARM architectures in a variety of vertical market applications.

Until Google shifts its primary focus for Android beyond smartphones and tablets, VDC expects that OEMs, ISVs, and the engineering community will be the principal drivers of the platform into new markets. This represents a tremendous opportunity for ISVs to leverage their domain expertise and capitalize on the extraordinary growth of Android to grow their own revenue streams and expand their customer bases.

Currently, the commercial market for Android related software solutions is still in its infancy. As such, the leading vendors and key strategies may undergo significant changes in the coming years, as new services, tools, and other innovations are brought to this market.

VDC investigates this trend among others in our recently published report, Android & Linux in the Embedded Systems Market, from our 2011 Embedded Software & Tools Market Intelligence Service. Please contact us for more information.

 

Related Posts:

How Many Operating Systems Does It Take for RIM to Sell a Smartphone?

We all know Android is Linux, but is it the New Linux?

Just Bing it Danno; Microsoft Still Searching for Ways to Regain Mobile Share

VDC Launches 2011 Embedded Engineering Survey

Develop Software or Systems? Earn Guaranteed $10 or have $10 donated to FIRST; Chance to Win an iPad 2!

VDC, an independent technology research firm, is conducting research for its annual evaluation of the embedded systems market. The research covers technologies and practices related to embedded engineering, and will help to inform VDC's ongoing study of engineering project teams and systems.

In appreciation of your participation -

The first 400 respondents who complete the survey will receive:

-       Choice of a $10 gift certificate or elect to make a $10 donation to FIRST (a charitable organization helping to promote the sciences to the next generation of engineers and developers).

All respondents (including the first 400) who complete the survey will receive:

-       Entry into the grand prize drawing for an Apple iPad 2;

-       Immediate access to a summary of VDC's 2010 Embedded Engineering survey results at the end of the survey; and

-       A summary of the 2011 Embedded Engineering survey findings once the survey is complete later this year.

To begin the survey, go to: http://bit.ly/hb5Lfn

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Best Regards,

The VDC Embedded Software and Tools Research Team

ARM A15 to Drive Embedded OSs into the Enterprise

It is now well publicized in the non-tech media that the Intel and ARM IP-based processors are waging a turf war as their once disparate and discrete domains have begun to blur.  ARM, once the underdog primarily relegated to developing its technology for mobile phones, has made significant inroads into a number of embedded verticals as power performance has risen to the top of many OEMs requirements as a function of the ubiquitous trend toward mobility.

As ARM’s product roadmap has continued to target larger, more sophisticated devices and Intel, drawn by the allure of high unit shipments, has simultaneously begun to retarget embedded and mobile systems, the most obvious battleground has been that for converged devices (i.e. high-end smartphones, MIDs, netbooks, tablets, etc.).  Additionally, although Intel’s lead in the traditional PC market has been largely unchallenged, the growing functionality and use of mobile devices has begun to cannibalize its future growth potential.  The one area where Intel’s dominance had remained largely unassailed was its presence in the IT server market.

ARM’s announcement of the A15 certainly is an overt challenge for the future of this evolving market.  If nothing else, the proliferation of embedded and mobile devices has vastly increased the volume and frequency of information processing between systems and devices, and across the cloud.  The subsequent need for real-time interpretation and analysis of this data is already beginning to tax existing infrastructure.  This looming need for additional server storage and processing power – combined with the growing focus on power efficiency – should present ARM with ample opportunities to gain traction in this domain going forward.  Although it may be years before any ARM IP design wins begin appearing in enterprises in a noticeable frequency, the potential shake-up to the enterprise ecosystem is more intriguing. 

As you might expect, the x86-dominated server market has a relatively conventional landscape of operating systems in use – predominately Windows, Linux, and other UNIX variants.  The embedded market, on the other hand, has a much more heterogeneous set of OS suppliers offering an array of proprietary and open source options.  As a result, the entrance of ARM into the server market might destabilize the competitive dynamic between the operating systems currently used in the domain.  For example, although Microsoft has embedded offerings available for ARM architectures (Windows CE/Mobile/Phone 7), Red Hat and Novell distanced themselves from  the embedded market long ago.  At the same time, however, we have also seen one of the leading embedded real-time OS suppliers (Green Hills Software) begin proactively targeting the enterprise with the announcement of their INTEGRITY Global Security subsidiary.  Will an Intel-owned VxWorks ultimately follow suit (for either x86- and/or ARM-based servers)? Will public/RYO embedded distributions of Linux continue their rate of growth in this new segment?

One thing is for certain, the status quo is losing some of its inertia and ARM is going to do its best to stop it all together.

Related Posts:

• Will All this M&A Finally Give Intel a Leg up in Battle with ARM?
• Taking a Bite Out of Apple's Playbook

Rebound Expected for Embedded Software and Tools Market in 2011

During yesterday's webcast, we provided an update on the 2010 Embedded Software and Tools market, as well as a forecast of what's to come in 2011.

The recession and industry consolodation were key trends this past year, with OEM making necessary adjustments to counter decreased project budgets and enterprises vying for market share after several key acquisitions.

In the coming year, we expect to see several important changes. Next generation technologies, such as multicore and operating system virtualization, will provide increased growth opportunities and will continue to be a significant focus for many suppliers. And with a forecasted market growth of approximately 3% between 2009 and 2010, VDC is expecting the overal market to rebound to 2008 levels in 2011.

To learn more about our thoughts on the future outlook of the Embedded Software and Tools market, we encourage you to listen to the webcast recording and scroll through the slides below.

Tracking the Solutions Powering the Next Generation of Embedded Systems in Q4 & Beyond

View more presentations from VDC Research Group.

No, the OS Market hasn’t Frozen over, but, Yes, Those are all Penguins:

Commercial Mobile OS Suppliers Learning to Co-exist as OEMs Look to Increase Adoption of Open Source Platforms

 

Today’s mobile devices are more dependent on robust, complex operating systems capable of supporting a diverse ecosystem of new software applications. According to VDC’s recently published report on mobile operating systems, these  and other software  components  play a vital role for OEMs in the differentiation of their mobile devices, as advanced user interfaces, maximized use of hardware capabilities, and other unique user experiences are enabled by these software products.

 

However, operating system platforms maintained by industry consortia and through other open source projects are becoming increasingly popular in mobile devices, a trend which has impacted commercial suppliers in this market. While the commercial market is dominated by Microsoft, momentum behind consortia-based platforms has driven other commercial suppliers to broaden their product and services portfolio to offer additional support and services for open source platforms in addition to their proprietary offerings. Many of these new services are centered on Android, including Enea’s Android Competence Center, Mentor Graphics’ services and support for Android-based devices, MontaVista’s Rapid Deployment Program for Android, the Wind River Platform for Android, and others.

 

These product and service offerings are not new initiatives however.  Rather, they are the continuation and evolution of strategies employed by operating system vendors over the past decade. The unrelenting maturation and adoption of open source technologies such as Linux have placed constant pressures on traditional embedded operating system vendor business models and bottom lines.

 

However the bigger question today is - If few OS vendors could achieve profitability around Linux before Android, can any make money now when there is an even greater reliance on professional services?

 

VDC explores these and other critical issues within the market for mobile operating systems solutions in the recently released report, Mobile Operating Systems, Volume 3 from Track 1 of VDC’s 2010 Embedded Software and Tools Market Intelligence Service.