On Target: Embedded Systems

State of the Market: Android in Embedded

Together with Apple’s iOS, Android has helped to redefine expectations with regard to user interaction and functionality in the smartphone space. The widespread success of Android and iOS are among the major factors contributing to changes in OS strategy on the part of traditional market leaders Nokia (a shift from Symbian to Windows Phone) and Research In Motion (acquisition of QNX Software Systems and shift to a QNX-based platform). Furthermore, the ubiquity of smartphones has begun to impact UI expectations in other devices classes, with interest in utilizing Android to serve these requirements continually mounting. But while interest in Android... Read more →

Can Google Defend Open Source Software?

As you probably know, Google is currently entrenched in a battle with Oracle over the use of Java in Android. The trial may be only a month old, but the war began with the original suit filed in August 2010 for alleged copyright and patent infringement related to the Java programming language. However, this case is not just about Google defending its use of the technology or simply lining its pockets. The outcome of this trial has the potential to cripple the Android ecosystem and other open source projects as well. The copyright phase of the trial has the attention... 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 →

Don’t Rely Solely on Mil/Aero, the Largest Software & Systems Modeling Tools Segment

As code bases grow in complexity and organizations commit more of their time and resources to software development, embedded engineers and enterprise developers are increasingly turning to software modeling tools to help manage this complexity while still meeting ever greater time-to-market pressures. The considerable market opportunities for modeling tools as one of the methods depended upon to clarify requirements, understand behavior, and design the functionality are highlighted in VDC’s recently published Software & System Modeling Tools report. VDC estimates the market for embedded software and system modeling tools and related services will expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)... Read more →

Is Android Coming to a Secure Device Near You?

What Happened? In case you missed it, the National Security Agency (NSA) announced last week the initial public release of a security-enhanced (SE) version of Android based on SE Linux. As stated by the NSA, the primary objective of SE Android is to “identify and address critical gaps in the security of Android.” The enhanced security features of SE Android are designed prevent malicious attacks by restricting the permissions of Android applications (superseding user-approved settings) while also isolating individual apps from each other. VDC’s View The openness of Android has been widely regarded as both a blessing and a curse... Read more →

Enea Relinquishes Consulting Business

What Happened? Earlier today, Enea announced the divestment of its Swedish consulting companies to a subsidiary of Alten Group, a Paris-based global technical consulting company. As described in Enea’s press release by President and CEO Anders Lidbeck: “The divestment is part of our strategy to focus on our global software business…by divesting this unit we are refining Enea’s business and get the opportunity to invest in areas such as Linux, real-time operating systems, hardware environments, and product related services. We want to become the world leader for operating systems to the wireless broadband industry.” Alten Group’s acquisition of these companies,... Read more →

Telehealth Initiatives Driving Software Stack Requirements in Medical Devices

Mobility has been among the key influencers within the medical device market in recent years, the phenomenon helping to promote the advent of teleheath-related solutions, which rely heavily on care provided away from formal healthcare facilities. The concept of telehealth – which can be broadly defined as the incorporation of telecommunications technologies within health-related services – is expected to become increasingly popular as a means through which to decentralize medical services. More and more, medical professionals in developed regions are relying on patients and other in-home care providers to administer a variety of relatively straightforward services in an effort to... Read more →

Converged Devices Cannibalizing Sales of Stand-alone Consumer Electronics Devices

But also driving the transition to multicore processors The consumer electronics industry continues to foster a wide variety of innovations that bring cutting-edge technologies to the mainstream. Mounting demand for internet connectivity, inter-device communication, and device mobility have been the key factors driving this innovation. From televisions and set-top boxes to digital cameras and video gaming systems, the ability to access and share content via the web has become one of consumers’ primary device requirements. Similarly, growing interest in device mobility has fueled momentum behind handheld devices such as portable gaming systems, e-readers, and portable media players. More than ever,... Read more →

IVI Systems Increasingly Critical to Vehicle Differentiation

Leading vendors ramping up focus on solutions for IVI applications In a recent webcast together with IBM Rational, VDC discussed the mounting complexity of automotive applications – specifically electronic control units (ECUs) such as engine control modules – and how these systems have played an expanded role in enabling automotive manufacturers to equip their vehicles with the features necessary to differentiate themselves from the competition. Beyond ECUs, another differentiator that has increasingly come into focus in the last several years is the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system. To serve this growing trend, leading embedded software vendors such as Mentor Graphics, Microsoft,... Read more →

How is the Evolution of Automotive System Requirements Impacting OEM Tooling Strategies?

In recent years, automotive systems have grown increasingly complex as electronic control units define a greater percentage of vehicle functionality and end-product differentiation. This evolution has placed a significant strain on the efficacy of traditional development methodologies and tools. As a result, an increasing premium is being placed on tools that offer means to accelerate and/or automate portions of the design and development process going forward. In support of and in parallel to this trend, the use cases for lifecycle management tools such as modeling tools has continued to expand as advances in functionality can now support the variability in... Read more →