Embedded Systems is probably one of the most underrated sectors in the ICT industry. Embedded devices surround us everywhere: in the home, in the car, in factories, in airplanes and even in space. To get an idea of the ubiquity we're talking about, more embedded processors have been shipped to date than there are people on the planet. What isn't so well known is that it takes top-tier specialists, with diverse skills, to deliver the robust and efficient implementations required for these applications.

An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system, which is completely encapsulated by the device it controls. It has specific (often real-time) requirements and performs pre-defined tasks, unlike a general-purpose personal computer. More...

Firmware is software that is embedded in a hardware device. Often it is provided in Flash ROMs. It may also allow the user to perform upgrades. More...

A device driver is a special piece of software that controls specific hardware. Unlike application software, writing device drivers requires an in-depth understanding of how a given platform functions, both at the hardware and the software level.

Moreover, debugging device drivers is a difficult skill as it often involves monitoring hardware itself which often acts in an unpredictable manner. More...

Many of today's products, such as home appliances and consumer electronics, are controlled by an embedded system. Using an embedded system rather than custom hardware provides enhanced features at a lower cost.

A consequence of having an onboard embedded system is that built-in firmware can provide power-up diagnostics and greatly assist testing during manufacture.

In typical manufacturing situations, embedded test software is often relied upon to control external test equipment.

Monetics, used here in the context of electronic payments, is closely tied with security issues. Payment terminals and ATMs, which are examples of embedded systems, must be designed to ensure that secret data, such as credit card numbers, PIN data and keys cannot be easily compromised.

This is not limited to providing secure communication channels, but involves additional physical and logical security aspects, such as the use of secure cryptoprocessors for provision of tamper resistance, detection and responsiveness, thereby protecting the equipment and its software from unauthorised access and modifications.