Embedded Technology Journal Update

a techfocus media publication :: April 25, 2006 :: volume III, no. 04

FROM THE EDITOR

This week, we take a look under the hood at the engine that powers embedded technology – innovation. Most high-tech professionals understand how innovation can flourish at a small, nimble, do-or-die startup venture. Sadly, however, there is also a myth that large, established corporations are good breeding grounds for ground-breaking ideas. In fact, examples of innovation in the corporate culture are exceptions rather than the rule. Our newest feature is part one of a series on creating an environment that fosters creativity in large companies.

Thanks for reading! If there's anything we can do to make our publications more useful to you, please let us know at: comments@embeddedtechjournal.com

Kevin Morris – Editor
Embedded Technology Journal

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Xilinx third edition of Embedded Magazine is now available!
Inside you'll find a collection of diverse articles unlocking the endless possibilities with Xilinx platforms.
We welcome industry icon Jim Turley and his clever insight regarding shifts in the embedded industry with his article "Change Is Good." Xilinx experts provide tutorials on the latest release of EDK 8.1, along with a background look at the newly launched Xilinx ESL Initiative.
View online or download your copy today!

FREE FPGA Debug Kit from Tektronix
Are you validating and debugging your FPGA designs with the latest test methodologies? Our NEW FPGA Debug Kit provides a comprehensive overview of the FPGA design process, FPGA debug methodologies and steps to reduce the debug process. You’ll receive a 12-page technical guide and 20-minute archived webinar that will help you keep pace with the increased debug needs of FPGAs.
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CURRENT FEATURE ARTICLES

Innovation Big and Small
Chapter 1 - The Adventures of Chuck & Roger
Death of the Hardware Engineer
A Dirge for the Digital Designer
ESC Revisited
Connecting Dots in the Chaos
Parallelizing PCB
Mentor's Multi-node Router Goes Auto
ESC Round One
Cool and Groovy Galore
ESC Survival Kit
Getting the Most, Even if You Don't Go
A Bunch of Babies
Embedded Software Developers are Wussies

JOURNAL WEBCASTS

JOURNAL WEBCASTS NOW ON DEMAND:

"Designing 2Gbps Parallel I/O with the LatticeSC FPGA" sponsored by Lattice Semiconductor
Click here to watch!

Lattice's new 90nm LatticeSC family--general introduction, sponsored by Lattice Semiconductor.
Click here to watch!

Innovation Big and Small
Chapter 1 - The Adventures of Chuck & Roger

It's four o'clock in the morning. Roger gets up from his laptop to walk to the dorm-size refrigerator in the corner of the makeshift office. He pulls out a Mountain Dew, downs a sizable swig, and then places the can at the end of a row of six empties that have accumulated beside his keyboard during the evening. Adjacent to his desk sits a pyramid of empty Mountain Dew cans – an art project in progress, a monument to a month of Roger's late-night work-a-thons, all aimed at getting the product ready for tomorrow's big customer demo. Beyond the Dewamid lies a sleeping bag containing Roger's office mate. He had lasted until 2AM when he kicked off his own regression test run and then crawled in for a nap. Roger has instructions to watch the job and wake him if it finishes.

Caffeine, cold liquid, and carbonation re-open Roger's sagging eyes. His monitor locks back into sharp focus again. His latest unit test run will be done within a couple of minutes. If it passes, he'll check in the files, kick off a build, and head home for two or three hours of real bed rest before trying to make himself look semi-professional for the presentation at 9AM. He doesn't want to be too slick. People expect a lead engineer at a startup to have a certain patina.

If the demo goes well and the customer issues a PO, it will provide the real-world validation that the venture capitalists are looking for in order to proceed with the third round of funding. The funding is key. Without it, the company will close down within weeks. With it, they'll have the resources they need to bring the product to market. Roger is confident that, if that happens, the company will be acquired at a premium within two years. He'll be set to retire at 26. Roger's wife of two years sleeps soundly alone at home. She hasn't had more than an hour alone with her husband in over a month, but she's patient with the temporary hardship. She understands what this means for their future. [more]