On Target: Embedded Systems

It Gets Better

The same end-of-one-year reflection that inspired our embedded software Top 12 of 2012 (part 1 and part 2), encouraged us to take a look back at a metric we continue to track: schedule performance. In VDC’s 2012 developers survey, 35.3% of the respondents said their current project was behind schedule. Just last year over 40% reported schedule slippage. So perhaps 35% is an improvement; but it’s hardly a statistic worth boasting. With an average of twenty five embedded engineers per project, any delay can be detrimental to development budgets, not to mention the reputational damage. Despite an understanding that adherence... Read more →

The Embedded Software Beat

A Q&A with Stefan Skarin, Chief Executive Officer, IAR Systems Group AB. This interview is the fourth in a series that we look to conduct during the course of 2012 with embedded software solution providers to share their views on their company, products, and state of the market. VDC was fortunate to catch up with Mr. Skarin in advance of the ARM TechCon where IAR Systems will be announcing and demonstrating new products. VDC: IAR Systems is a long-time supplier of software development solutions to the embedded market. Can you briefly introduce the company to our readers? Skarin: IAR Systems... Read more →

Are Modeling Tools Finally Generating Some Trust?

Engineering organizations continue to struggle keeping pace with the rate of content creation required to power many of today’s devices. One of the ways organizations have attempted to address this issue over recent years is through the use of modeling tools. While much of these tools’ original adoption centered on their ability to simplify software architecture design and documentation, their potential use cases - and benefits - can be much deeper. Modeling tools have emerged as the tools of choice to tackle a number of other complex design challenges – from algorithm design to software construction to Hardware-In-the-Loop testing. However,... Read more →

Embedded Bits n Bytes – In case you missed these recent announcements……

AdaCore, provider of tools and expertise for the mission-critical, safety-critical, and security-critical software communities, announced the successful usage of its SPARK Pro and GNAT Pro High-Security products by Rockwell Collins in the development of the SecureOne™ Guard, a high assurance cross domain guard for military tactical systems. http://www.adacore.com/press/secureone/ ARM (NASDAQ: ARMH) and Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS) signed a multi-year agreement that expands Synopsys’ access to a broad range of ARM intellectual property (IP). http://www.arm.com/about/newsroom/arm-and-synopsys-expand-collaboration-to-optimize-power-and-performance-and-accelerate-design-and.php Atego, a supplier of software tools and professional services for complex, mission- and safety-critical systems and software engineering launched Aonix ObjectAda® 8.5 for Windows with new... Read more →

ALM/PLM integration, who's going to lead?

Complexity driving need for greater tool integration The complexity of today’s embedded devices and systems has escalated across all industries, coupled with a growing requirement for connectivity and mobility. To meet these challenges, developers’ use of software and system lifecycle management (SSLM) tools has expanded across a broader range of challenges than the specific engineering tasks for which they were originally developed. To support this usage, many suppliers are shifting away from point solution offerings towards integrated platform/suite solutions addressing a broader portion of the software development lifecycle. A need for cross-domain integration As the growing level of system complexity... Read more →

Security Requirements Driving Major Changes In Embedded Computing Ecosystem

In a strategically important move driven by significant changes in embedded computing, ETAS recently announced their intent to acquire security solution provider ESCRYPT. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the modeling tool vendor confirmed that the acquisition is intended to strengthen the independent professional services division that they first established in January. VDC’s View Security has quickly emerged as the hot button issue within the embedded industry. As we’ve written about recently, the injection of connectivity requirements within many new device categories has left embedded engineering organizations recognizing a need for improved security, but often unsure of how... Read more →

So Whatcha Gonna Do With That Modeling Tool?

As we’ve mentioned in this space before, the level of software content and system complexity is rapidly expanding in multiple verticals such as automotive and avionics. Given the challenges of these industries, it is not surprising they have been long time user of modeling tools. In fact, modeling tools have emerged as the tool of choice to address a number of complex design challenges. A look at some of our findings from VDC’s 2012 Software and System Development Survey, our extensive survey of the embedded and enterprise engineering community that we provide with our Software & System Modeling Tools report,... Read more →

Embedded Bits and Bytes – In case you missed these announcements from the last several weeks...

AdaCore, provider of tools and expertise for the mission-critical, safety-critical, and security-critical software communities, announced that Embraer Defense and Security has selected the GNAT Pro Ada development environment from AdaCore as a primary tool set to develop the Operation Flight Program for the AMX Modernization program. http://www.adacore.com/press/embraer-amx-upgrade/ ARM announced the availability of a high performance, power-optimized quad-core hard macro implementation of its flagship ARM® Cortex™-A15 MPCore™ processor. http://www.arm.com/about/newsroom/arm-announces-cortex-a15-quad-core-hard-macro.php Atego, the world leading software tools and professional services supplier for complex, mission- and safety-critical systems and software engineering has launched the DO-178 Process Library for its ground breaking process definition, management... Read more →

Remember 99.999% Reliability?

After spending literally billions of dollars acquiring spectrum and building out infrastructure, Verizon Wireless’ LTE network has been plagued with outages. On Wednesday the network went down…for the fourth time in just the past three months. "Verizon Wireless engineers have been working to resolve an issue with 4G LTE service that is affecting some customers' 4G devices," (VZW statement 12/7/11) “VZW is investigating customer issues in connecting to the 4G LTE data network," (VZW statement 2/23/12) For the sake of fairness, it should be noted that other major network operators, Telenor and NTT DoCoMo among them, have also experienced well... Read more →

Growing importance of certification adherence drives professional services opportunities

What Happened? Earlier this week, LDRA announced the establishment of a professional services division to help companies developing certification ready products. The LDRA Certification Services (LCS) group is tasked with providing know-how, tools, and services to customers to assure they achieve full compliance at a fixed price. Regarding the expertise of the team selected to lead the LCS division, Operations Director, Ian Hennell states: “Their collective expertise and policy-making experience in all phases of software, hardware, system development, verification, configuration management and quality engineering assures certification applicants that industry standards will be interpreted and applied correctly.” LDRA is planning a... Read more →