Embedded Processing
Technical Editor Robert Cravotta explores processor and software-processing architectures and the impact they have on system and software development. Relevant architectures include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), multiprocessor architectures, processor fabrics, coprocessors, and accelerators, plus embedded cores in FPGAs, SOCs, and ASICs. You can find out where Robert is posting by checking Embedded Insights. Follow Robert at Twitter at: http://twitter.com/robertcravotta
Join me at the Embedded Master Micro-site
I have found a new home at the Embedded Master-Microsite to continue the topics we were exploring here. Thank you to all of the people that sent me an email in response to the Tying up Loose Ends post. I have three series running at the micro-site at this time.Monday posts address the Robust Design series. Wednesday posts address the Question of the Week series. Friday posts address the Extreme P ...... Read More
Comments (1)Tying up loose ends
In my last two posts, I mentioned that there has been a change of plans. After this week, I will no longer be EDN’s technical editor for embedded processing. My goal with this post is to share where I was going with the active threads, and to provide a means so that I can contact you when I find a new place to continue discussing the embedded processing space with you. Please email me to le ...... Read More
Comments (0)Inflection Points : eight bits to save two bits
This last planned guest post for the inflection point series coincidently overlaps with my latest article about how low 32-bit processors can go. This article would have started up a third series thread, but plans have changed which I will explain shortly in my next post. In this latest guest post, Andy Gryc, senior product marketing manager at QNX Software Systems, observes that while 8-bit proce ...... Read More
Comments (2)Inflection Points : Blurring 8- and 32-bit Microcontrollers
These last two planned guest posts for the inflection point series coincidently overlap with my latest article about how low 32-bit processors can go, so I have delayed posting them so they could more closely coincide with that article. This article would have started up a third series thread, but plans have changed which I will explain shortly in a future post. In this latest guest post, Pete Jon ...... Read More
Comments (3)Building the 2010 DSP Directory
I update the DSP and Microprocessor Directories each year – six months apart from each other. The DSP Directory is scheduled for an update this April, and I am collecting inputs for all of the companies listed in it at this time. If you have a favorite company that was not listed in last year’s listing, please let me and them know as this is the time to add them to the list. Thanks i ...... Read More
Comments (1)Inflection Points : Wireless and Programmability
Chris Rowen, Founder and CTO at Tensilica, shares his perspective on currently evolving inflection points in the wireless and programmable design spaces. The market’s migration to a single wireless standard that will enable wireless designs everywhere and in everything. This trend will encourage embedding of LTE wireless connectivity into a huge variety of system-on-chip designs, just as wi ...... Read More
Comments (0)Robust Design : Good, Fast, Cheap – pick two
Reading Battar’s response to the introduction post for this series has suggested to me that it is worth exploring the relationship of the popular expression “good, fast, and cheap – pick two” in the context of robust design principles. The basis for this expression is that it is not possible to globally maximize/minimize all three of these vectors in the same design. No ...... Read More
Comments (1)Inflection Points : Wireless and SDR
Continuing the series on inflection points, Eyal Bergman, Director of Product Marketing for CEVA shares his thoughts about the inflection point timeline in a near term perspective with a focus on wireless baseband and SDR (software defined radio). With regards to what is driving demand for wireless service Eyal observes: … The latest AT&T numbers show that it added 2.7 million ne ...... Read More
Comments (0)Season for Design Challenges
A second design challenge for embedded developers has opened this week. The Texas Instruments competition is based on their 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 processor while the NXP competition center is based on their 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0. Both competitions offer a free evaluation or developer kit to complete your entry. Although I doubt this was the intent of any of the competition sponsors, it will be inter ...... Read More
Comments (0)Robust Design
I am accelerating my plans to start a series on robust design principles because of the timely interest in the safety recall by Toyota for a sticking accelerator pedal. Many people are weighing in on the issue, but Charles J. Murray’s article “Toyota’s Problem Was Unforeseeable” and Michael Barr’s posting “Is Toyota’s Accelerator Problem Caused by E ...... Read More
Comments (5)Competitive design challenges
NXP just opened the doors on a competitive design challenge based around their LPC1100 Cortex-M0 processor. The challenge takes place over three phases covering conceptual, hardware, and prototype phases. The conceptual phase is open now and closes on March 8th, 2010, so you will need to move sooner, rather than later if you want to participate. I am a strong believer and supporter of competitive ...... Read More
Comments (0)Inflection Points : timeline (networking)
George Zimmerman, CTO of SolarFlare, has graciously shared some of his thoughts and observations about the past, present, and future inflection points, especially with regards to the telecommunications and networking markets. The following excerpt from his post illustrates how inflection points can sneak up on us … I distinctly recall giving a talk to a communications systems group at a maj ...... Read More
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