FROM
THE EDITOR
Our latest feature article looks at the advantages of virtualized software development for embedded systems. For most of us doing embedded software development, we sit around waiting for the hardware to be in a usable state, then fight our way through a frenzied development process while everyone else wonders why the software guys always finish last. Simulation of the entire system gives us a leg up on that problem.
Our second new feature comes from Malcolm Colton of Hitachi Entier. Malcolm takes us through the paces of databases and their application in embedded system development. As embedded systems grow up, hand-crafted code will no longer be adequate to deliver the products that our customers desire. Enterprise-class tools like relational database systems and advanced query languages are already finding some welcome receptions in the embedded systems world.
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. If you'd rather sound off in public, please post your comments or questions in our new Journal Forums.
Kevin
Morris – Editor
Embedded Technology Journal
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Success with System Simulation
Are Virtual Models Really Helpful?
As a private pilot, I’m well acquainted with the benefits of simulation. With a light plane, it’s pretty clear. You can virtually fly for hours at near zero cost using only a laptop (and maybe a couple extra controllers and a nice monitor, if you’re fancy), whereas the cost of flying an actual plane can be as much as hundreds of dollars per hour. There are other benefits too, such as being able to fly when the weather wouldn’t permit operation of a real plane and being able to simulate failure conditions that you would never want to face in a real airplane with your life at stake.
As embedded software developers, though, the benefits of a virtual environment may seem a little bit fuzzier at first, although, interestingly, the flying metaphor holds pretty well. When your team is developing a new embedded system, chances are good that the hardware and software are being developed in parallel. [more]
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Is There a Database in Your Future?
by Malcolm Colton, Hitachi Embedded Business Group
From one point of view, the embedded developer is the major obstacle that stands between the marketing guy’s vision of that cool new product and gushing streams of revenue flowing from grateful customers. From that perspective—and it holds some truth—the most important thing a developer can do is finish the job fast.
This imperative has driven a lot of the innovation in the embedded software world. Not long ago, the serious embedded developer hand-crafted assembler on raw iron by hand using a text editor. How times have changed! Embedded operating systems, cross-compilers, simulators, debuggers, and more - all ease the task of the embedded developer. [more]
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