Clicky Skip to main content

Embedded systems, rather than being a standalone domain, remains the potential value-adding area for different sectors. Speaking in a textbook fashion, embedded systems are essential to the operation of electronic devices and computers across a wide range of industries. Embedded systems combine computer hardware and software components to perform specific tasks within a more significant technological system. These are tasks paramount in making the overall system more efficient and user-friendly, which is probably why this subject is of utmost importance in today’s tech-focused innovative business landscape.

What is an Embedded System?

An Embedded system is a combined entity of microcontrollers/microprocessor-based hardware systems & software designed to perform specific functions. Typically, the centerpiece of embedded systems is an integrated circuit that performs real-time computation & operations. Embedded systems can be independent systems but also part of large systems based on the requirements.

Applications of Embedded Systems

The traces of embedded systems is extensive & vast. Embedded software and electronics currently constitute 45% of industrial automation, 70% of consumer electronics, and 45% of medical equipment. They continue to expand their horizons to cover more industries and are expected to boost the embedded systems market growth to US$ 159.12 Billion by the end of 2031.

  • Consumer Electronics
  • Medical Equipment
  • Automotive Systems
  • Smart Devices
  • Robotics Development
  • Communication Systems
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Industrial Automation
  • Defense Technologies
  • IoT Devices

Uses of embedded systems

Embedded systems are designed to operate with little to no human interference and to complete tasks most efficiently. Listed below are some of its unparalleled advantages:

  • Easy to manage
  • Lightweight and portability
  • Fast and reliable performance
  • Little or no hardware limitations
  • Cost-effective
  • Extremely versatile

Embedded systems are one of the fastest-growing domains. However, constant pressure for development & innovations prevails to garner new efficient & reliable overall outcomes. This gradually snowballs into a major challenge in the evolution of the embedded system domain.

Recent trends in Embedded System

Nevertheless, aligning your embedded systems journey with the below-emerging trends can cut down the numbers in terms of time and $.

1.Implementation of Cybersecurity Layers

Embedded systems often suffer from vulnerability to cyber-attacks and security breaches. They are common targets for hackers as they are reservoirs of core processing & functional data. Despite protections through passwords and encryption methods like SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or SSH (Secure Shell), some void in security & embedded systems needs more sophisticated cybersecurity protection. The surge of IoT security platforms & solutions is commendable, which possess advanced, faster, and more potent mechanisms that protect embedded systems. In embedded security, the application of Public Key Infrastructure(PKI) boosts the communication flow security between the trusted parties, props to solid asymmetric cryptography mechanisms.

2.Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI)

While analyzing emerging trends, it is rather hard to rule out the prominence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Microcontrollers with peripherals accelerating the calculations and enabling the implementation of neural networks have become a part of the product portfolio for many embedded systems. This includes all kinds of libraries and tools supporting the implementation, learning, and testing of created solutions to support and accelerate the work on solutions using artificial intelligence.

3.Strengthening of Software Quality and IoT Capabilities

The embedded systems industry needs to catch up in using the latest trends in code quality, which is at the expense of software development. This lag spirals into the functional reliability concerns of IoT devices. However, the light at the end of the tunnel is now more visible than ever. The growing awareness of software quality and strengthening them for embedded platforms is increasing daily. Numerous courses, webinars, and conferences are being opened to unpack the nuances of overcoming this challenge.

4.Power-efficient systems

With the advancements in embedded systems demanding more sensor nodes, it has become paramount for such systems to be power-efficient. Recent implementations have started to focus on running at low power states, both from a hardware and software perspective, to achieve benefits like extended power source utilization, Performance improvements, & optimal green quotient.

5.DevOps in Embedded Systems

Traditionally, embedded system development has had limited exposure to Agile adoption & DevOps utility. But the times are now changing, as embedded developers have started maintaining records to consolidate their embedded toolchain, automating the build process with CI/CD (Continuous Integration/ Continuous Deployment) practices. This enables the embedded community to stay advantageous with the inherent benefits of agile practices like reduced complexity, simplified workflows, and quick product customizations & releases.

Recent Embedded Systems Innovations Globally

  • In September 2022, Marvell unveiled its LiquidSecurity 2 (LS2) hardware security module (HSM) adapter, designed for general purposes and payment processing. LS2 is built on the company’s technologies and deployed across the top-tier hyper-scale clouds. The new Marvell HSM adapter offers high-performing cryptographic acceleration and processing, including hardware-secured storage of up to one million encryption keys for AES, RSA, and ECC encryption algorithms and 45 partitions for multi-tenant use cases.
  • In Dec 2022, Lattice semiconductors announced their new FPGA board Avant-E based on their innovative Avant architecture. These compact 16nm mid-range FPGA boards are commended for their real-time data processing, AI & edge computing capabilities, and remarkable power efficiency. It is designed to well-suit for computer-vision solutions, industrial automation, automotive communications, robotics & software-defined radio applications.
  • Recently, Variscite – a Leading ARM SoM designer, introduced Pyvar – a python API that simplifies the development of machine learning & multimedia applications of the devices built on its i.MX8-based SoMs. This platform propels building & programming embedded systems for AI/ML applications a lot faster & efficiently, demonstrating the collaboration of technology domains.

As the domains evolve and culminate, New Technologies and their implementation techniques will keep showing up. We at SRM Tech, with a two-decade-strong experience in embedded systems, can assist you in making the most of the embedded innovation with our spectrum of embedded solutions – Development, Verification & Validation. Let’s connect to learn how we can build more robust & scalable embedded systems for your business.

One Comment

Leave a Reply

  • SHARE