{"id":8727,"date":"2025-11-30T22:04:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T21:04:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web-dev-weissblau.de\/microconsult\/?p=8727"},"modified":"2026-02-10T08:43:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T07:43:21","slug":"embedded-software-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microconsult.de\/en\/embedded-software-entwicklung\/","title":{"rendered":"Embedded software development"},"content":{"rendered":"

The term\u00a0Embedded\u00a0<\/strong>stands for\u00a0embedded.\u00a0<\/strong>An embedded system is a functional unit that has its own computing kernel, which is "embedded" in the system.<\/p>\n

Embedded systems are typically used in decentralized assemblies for the control, regulation, and monitoring of devices.<\/p>\n

Embedded software is software specifically designed for embedded systems.<\/p>\n

\"Standard<\/p>\n

Figure 1: Standard SW vs. Embedded SW<\/em><\/p>\n

Difference between standard software and embedded software<\/h2>\n

Traditional software programming uses languages such as ANSI C, C++, Java, Python, etc. The generated software is then typically executed on a PC-based system (desktop or notebook).<\/p>\n

The response time of software running on a desktop or notebook computer depends significantly on the following aspects: the architecture of the processing core (single-core or multi-core architecture), the available RAM speed (maximum CPU clock speed), the operating system used, and the number of applications to be run concurrently. Each of these aspects influences the application's performance.<\/p>\n

Requirements in embedded software development<\/h2>\n

A typical requirement for\u00a0Embedded systems<\/a>\u00a0Real-time capability is crucial. Processing with unpredictable speeds is unacceptable. Many applications (especially control systems in safety-critical systems \u2013 i.e., systems that could endanger, injure, or even kill a person) require a predictable system response time.<\/p>\n

The brakes in a car, for example, must react to the driver's braking with a very short delay (in the range of milliseconds). A PC-based control system could not reliably meet this real-time requirement.<\/p>\n

When developing software for an embedded system, it is possible to design the programs in such a way that the delay or processing time of the embedded system can be precisely determined. This includes, for example, the ability to detect an input signal (e.g., the signal from a switch) and generate the motor-off signal at an embedded system output with a maximum response time. This also applies to the response time for inter-module communication or the exchange of telegrams between interface and control modules via bus systems such as USB, Ethernet, CAN, LIN, etc.<\/p>\n

Embedded software development: typical applications<\/h2>\n