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Security challenges for embedded systems
In today's interconnected world, embedded systems are ubiquitous – from automobiles and industrial controls to IoT devices. But with increasing connectivity, security risks also rise. Cyberattacks, data leaks, and insecure implementations can have serious consequences. So how can we minimize security risks and develop robust systems?
Generational change at MicroConsult – Nora Pohle takes over management
After almost 50 years of successfully supporting companies and professionals in embedded systems development, MicroConsult is undergoing a significant change. As of September 1, 2024, MicroConsult Microelectronics Consulting & Training GmbH has transferred its business operations to the newly founded MicroConsult Academy GmbH.
Challenges in the software design of modern embedded systems
Software plays an increasingly central role in today's embedded systems. Systems based on complex microcontroller and processor architectures must offer more functionalities – and in a shorter development time than ever before.
Virtualization in embedded systems
Virtualization is revolutionizing the embedded sector, but due to technical challenges, it remains rarely implemented. Infineon's third generation of AURIX microcontrollers now promises native support. Learn what virtualization means, what advantages it offers, and what hurdles need to be overcome to use this technology efficiently.
Aurix – a look at the third generation
Infineon continues its success story with the third generation of AURIX microcontrollers. This new generation brings a wealth of improvements and innovations that promise increased performance and efficiency. However, to fully exploit the potential of this technology, a fundamental understanding of these new developments is essential.
Python: A perennial topic – an introduction
Among the many programming languages popular with developers, one stands out as a chameleon, adapting to a wide range of requirements: Python. Python has long been known as one of the most widely used programming languages. But what makes coding with Python so special? Let's take a look at why it's worthwhile using Python in projects.
Requirements Engineering and Management for Embedded Systems
Embedded systems are an important component of today's technologies and enable a wide variety of applications, for example in industry, automation, medical technology, automotive, or aerospace. These systems are designed to perform specific functions while adhering to the required quality standards.
Software Redesign: When and how should code be revised?
Sometimes simply extending old code isn't enough: a complete overhaul is needed. This article describes the process of embedded software redesign and explains the concepts of reverse engineering, refactoring, and reengineering.
C++: Dynamic and static polymorphism compared
A key means of meeting software quality requirements is the application of polymorphic structures in architecture, design, and implementation. But what exactly are dynamic and static polymorphism? This article explains these two concepts and demonstrates their application using a simple case study.
That's why upgrading to the Cortex®-M85 is worthwhile.
While the Cortex-M23 and M33 have gradually gained market acceptance as successors to the Cortex-M0+ and M4, the Cortex-M55, as the first member of the Armv8.1 architecture extension released in 2019, has remained almost unnoticed.
With the Cortex-M85, Arm closes this gap at the top end.
Design for Test and Design for Safety – Software Architectures Made to Measure
Connected devices and systems have become an integral part of our everyday life and we take this for granted. Finding the fastest way to our destination with a smartphone, reading the news on a tablet while sitting on the sofa, or controlling our smart heating with a smartphone app – tese systems make life more convenient. But this gain in convenience calls for more stringent security and safety requirements which must be managed by those developing such systems.
Design for Test and Design for Safety – Tailor-made software architecture
Our everyday lives are now seamlessly integrated with networked devices and systems. Whether using a smartphone to find the fastest route to a destination, reading the newspaper on a tablet while relaxing on the sofa, or controlling smart heating via a smartphone app, these systems make life more convenient. However, this increased convenience also demands stricter security and safety requirements, which the developers of such systems must meet.
it-daily, July 2022, ELEKTRONIKPRAXIS, Aug. 2022 & industr.com, Sept. 2022
Trends in microelectronics: New perspectives and requirements
Every year, new and even more powerful microcontroller architectures are announced. This paves the way for increasingly convenient and even autonomous transportation devices for our everyday lives. Besides the increased computing power, the enormous demands on safety and security are one of the biggest challenges.
A common language for cybersecurity
A shared understanding of the cybersecurity perspective in vehicle development is not a given. How do you define processes and manage risks in accordance with ISO 31000?
Software development reimagined
Embedded software development today still mostly takes place in single-core environments. However, software is increasingly controlling complex processes that only function in multi-core environments. This presents new challenges for development.
The embedded technology boom continues – the most important trends
The rapid growth of the Internet of Things, the 5G network, artificial intelligence and cloud or edge computing has a major impact on the development of embedded software.
Factory, May 2021, E&E, May 2021 & ELEKTRONIKPRAXIS, June 2021
Interface designs and their implementations
The use of software interfaces is a fundamental tool for developing durable and robust software architectures. Therefore, they should be established as early as possible in the architecture to stabilize it. This allows the software architect to ensure rapid task distribution to independent individuals, teams, or locations without further friction.
A common language for cybersecurity
The highly anticipated "ISO/SAE 21434 Road Vehicles – Cybersecurity Engineering" standard is nearing its final adoption. Even though changes may still occur, it is worthwhile to familiarize oneself with the content and requirements, which cover the development of safe vehicles not only from a safety perspective, but now also from a security perspective.
Depriving hackers of sensitive attack vectors
The Armv8-M architecture brings fundamental security to Cortex-M devices, thus enabling greater protection for IoT systems. But how does the "Secure Exception Priority Boosting" feature perform in practice?
MicroConsult is a top training provider in 2021
The business magazine Focus has awarded prizes to the best providers of adult education. Out of 20,000 providers and 315 shortlisted, MicroConsult made it onto the list of Germany's top providers of continuing education for 2021.
Smartphones and data protection
Performance and battery life remain among the most important features of smartphones. However, mobile devices have become a critical part of our identity and lives. Therefore, data security deserves particular attention.
For me, Clean Code also represents a certain aesthetic.
Embedded software still has a low priority in many German companies. There are no established training programs for programmers; knowledge is acquired through reading or simply lost along the way. Frank Listing, trainer and project coach at MicroConsult, sees a need for action and discusses the advantages of clean code and his vision of the ideal embedded project workflow in this interview.
Contain systematic errors through structure and processes
A holistic approach and a thorough understanding of the details are essential when it comes to creating functionally safe embedded systems. Software integrity can be achieved through structured and targeted methods and techniques.
Save development time with design patterns
The most important elements for design patterns that allow you to easily reuse standardized software structures.
Object-oriented programming with C
Although C is not an object-oriented language, object-oriented programming is certainly possible with it. What is possible, and where does the C programming language reach its limits?
Software erosion and what you can do about it
Successful embedded software is usually developed over a long period. During this process, relationships may occasionally be introduced into the code that don't belong there. Over time, the software deviates increasingly from the planned architecture – software erosion is well underway.
Embedded System: Its life cycle from cradle to grave
Let's take a control unit for a coffee machine and examine the life cycle of this embedded system from its inception to its retirement. The control unit tells a fascinating story full of surprises. You'll likely recognize one or two episodes from the ESKA01 embedded system's life cycle.
Coding guidelines: Are programming guidelines a curse or a blessing?
Whether it's safety or security guidelines like MISRA:C or uniform guidelines for in-house program code: there are many reasons why companies require their software developers to adhere to programming guidelines. But is that always sensible?
Development processes as the basis of modern software development
In professional software engineering, the development and process steps prior to software implementation are essential. Terms such as software analysis and software design, or software rough design and software detailed design from development processes (e.g., the V-Model XT or the industry-specific V-Model Automotive), represent precisely this.
Scrum reimagined
To successfully develop agile solutions in embedded environments, in addition to the fundamentals of Scrum, the specific characteristics of the complex interplay between hardware and software must be considered from planning to testing. ScrumBedded promises success here as a tailor-made solution.
Functional safety – How to reduce systematic errors in software development
A holistic approach and corresponding detailed knowledge are essential for creating functionally safe embedded systems. Software integrity can be achieved through structured and targeted methods and techniques.
Electrical Engineering Automation, Oct. 2018 & embedded software engineer, April 2018
Develop requirements and refine architectures
„According to experts, predictive maintenance will become the norm for virtually all rotating machinery within the next 5 to 10 years. The rapid development of sensor technology and AI is further accelerating this pace. The embedded systems connected to the IoT are placing increasingly complex demands on design. Those who develop well-thought-out requirements in advance and consistently refine the architecture with software design ensure software and product quality.
IoT Design, Aug. 2018 & embedded software engineer, July 2018
Successfully filling agile roles in embedded projects
Agile development has become the dominant methodology for manufacturing technical products and product components in a wide range of industries in recent years. However, filling the necessary agile roles is one of the biggest hurdles when changing this development methodology.
To be on the safe side
On the one hand, safety ensures operational safety; on the other hand, it encompasses all measures taken to protect a system from external threats. This underscores the distinction between these terms, but also demonstrates how closely they are interrelated.
Thinking in systems and architectures
The embedded world and the IT world are intertwined and will become increasingly so. The major challenge lies in thinking in terms of ever more complex and dynamic systems and combining the ever-accelerating pace of technical and business developments into new systems and business ideas.
Operating system: with or without?
Every runtime architecture contains some kind of "operating system," even if it's just the core component for process control—the scheduler. Therefore, the answer to the question above is clear. This article goes a step further and answers the question: Which type of runtime architecture is best suited for my application?
Psychogram of agile methods
Agile methods are increasingly finding their way into development departments. This article highlights some compelling reasons for this. The key to success lies in human needs.
Multicore microcontroller selection
Part 3: Are the available resources in the periphery sufficient?
After examining the project requirements regarding functional safety and data security, the final step deals with the peripheral components: What pins, memory, or bus systems do I need?
Multicore microcontroller selection
Part 2: Which safety and security requirements are important when choosing an MCU?
The first part of this series on selecting the right multicore processor focused on determining the computing power requirements and evaluating their suitability for the project. As a second step, we will now consider the requirements regarding functional safety and data security.
Multicore microcontroller selection
Part 1: Choosing the right multicore MCU based on project resources
Microcontroller-based systems are expected to offer users ever greater convenience, expanded functionality, and enhanced security each year. The processing cores that handle these expanded and new tasks require more computing power to meet these demands. This three-part series helps developers find the right multicore MCU for their specific needs.
Agile development of embedded systems
Switching the entire development process, including system testing, to agile methods and close coupling with hardware development leads to the successful use of agile concepts.
You can find all our publications here in the respective topic categories.
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Press releases
Generational change at MicroConsult – Nora Pohle takes over management
September 2024 – Download as PDF (German) – Press release
FOCUS selects MicroConsult as a top training provider
November 2020 – Download as PDF (German) – Press release
MicroConsult and Renesas Electronics Europe agree to collaborate on training for the Renesas Synergy™ platform
April 2016 – Download as PDF (German) – Press release
MicroConsult's cooperation with Lauterbach provides developers with bundled know-how for multicore debugging.
April 2016 – Download as PDF (German) – Press release
Mixed Mode and MicroConsult agree to cooperate in the training sector
March 2016 – Download as PDF (German) – Press release
Press contact
Bernhard Lermann, Bernhard Lermann Editorial Office
+49 179 5029855, bernhard@lermann-pr.com
Sabine Pagler, MicroConsult GmbH
+49 89 450617-46, s.pagler@microconsult.com