Modern society depends heavily on embedded system technologies. The global embedded system market is anticipated to increase from $86.5 billion in 2020 to $116.2 billion by 2025, according to a report from ResearchAndMarkets.com. The advancement of electronics, networking, wireless communication, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other fields has contributed to this tremendous increase. Embedded systems also used in new contexts, making our lives more comfortable than ever before, as they become more sophisticated, cost-effective, and compact.
We will discuss the five current trends in embedded systems development that will influence this technology’s near future in this post.
Embedded technology: What Is It?
An embedded system is a piece of non-computer hardware with built-in software that uses a microcontroller or microprocessor to carry out a specific task. It can function both independently and as a component of a larger ecosystem. The embedded system’s primary components include:
- Microcontrollers or microprocessors present hardware.
- Software with a range of complexity.
- During program execution, the real-time operating system keeps an eye on the software and establishes the rules.
The following are only a few of the modern applications for embedded systems:
- Automobile: navigational systems, audio systems, vehicle system controls, engine management, etc.
- Healthcare: therapeutic tools, tools to keep an eye on vital signs, etc.
- Smart home amenities include digital clocks, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, and washing machines.
- Military: high-performance sensors, undersea vehicles, navigation systems, etc.
What are the Current Trends in the Industry?
We rely heavily on embedded systems because of their expanding significance and widespread use in virtually all fields. As a result, there also more demands placed on their efficiency, safety, and intelligence. Let’s have a look at the most recent developments influencing this technology’s development and forecasting the market for embedded systems technology.
Artificial Intelligence
The development of AI will expand the possibilities for embedded systems in numerous fields. Some fundamental AI-powered technologies, like autonomous parking, are now commonplace in the vehicle industry. However, promoting the development of driverless vehicles is artificial intelligence’s main objective. While “level 2” autonomous vehicles that can steer or manage speed for extended periods of time already available on the market, “level 5” fully autonomous vehicles still developed.
AI and IoT will continue to enhance the manufacturing industry’s production process by real-time operation control, error prevention, 24/7 manufacturing, and operational cost reduction.
Surgical robots that aid surgeons in developing their capacity to make precise and least invasive incisions one of the impressive examples of AI-powered embedded systems in medicine. Healthcare will keep integrating AI in the near future to create low-power, high-performance systems for better patient monitoring, diagnostics, etc.
How does AI function?
Vendors have been rushing to showcase how their goods and services use AI as the hoopla surrounding AI has grown. Frequently, what they mean by AI is just one element of AI, like machine learning. For the creation and training of machine learning algorithms, AI requires a foundation of specialized hardware and software. There is no one programming language that exclusively associated with AI, but a handful are, including Python, R, and Java.
A vast volume of labeled training data typically ingested by AI systems, which then examine the data for correlations and patterns before employing these patterns to forecast future states. By studying millions of instances, an image recognition tool can learn to recognize and describe objects in photographs, just as a chatbot that given examples of text chats can learn to make lifelike exchanges with people.
Three cognitive abilities—learning, reasoning, and self-correction—are the main topics of AI programming.
Processes for learning
This area of AI programming concerned with gathering data and formulating the rules that will enable the data to transformed into useful knowledge. The guidelines, also known as algorithms, give computing equipment detailed instructions on how to carry out a certain activity.
Reasoning techniques
This area of AI programming is concerned with selecting the best algorithm to achieve a particular result.
Self-correcting mechanisms
This feature of AI programming is to continuously improve algorithms and make sure they deliver the most precise results.
Cybersecurity
Without lessened cybersecurity vulnerabilities, embedded systems’ future is unavoidable. The impact of cyber attacks will become increasingly dangerous as embedded technology continues to permeate our daily lives. They not only have the potential to result in large financial losses when they target a manufacturing organization, but they also pose a threat to human life when they target a hospital.
Additionally, hostile assaults will increase in frequency due to the rollout of 5G Internet, which can demonstrate speeds up to 20 Gbps compared to the 10Mbps that 4G Internet can give. The Market Data Forecast predicts that by 2025, cybersecurity revenues will reach $254 billion.
Without interfering with user or customer experience, the following best practices and technologies will assist your company in implementing robust cybersecurity that lowers your vulnerability to cyberattacks and safeguards your vital information systems:
IAM
Identity and access management (IAM) outlines each user’s roles and access privileges as well as the circumstances under which those privileges granted or refused. IAM methodologies include single sign-on, which enables a user to log in to a network once without having to enter their credentials again during the same session, multifactor authentication, which requires two or more access credentials, privileged user accounts, which only give certain users administrative privileges, and user lifecycle management, which controls each user’s identity and access privileges from the time they first register until they retired. Additionally, IAM tools can provide your cybersecurity experts with more insight into shady activity on endpoints, including those they can’t physically access. This shortens the time it takes to investigate and respond in order to isolate and contain a breach’s damage.
Sensitive information protected across a variety of environments, including hybrid multicloud systems, using a comprehensive data security platform. The finest data security platforms give users automated, real-time visibility into data vulnerabilities and continual monitoring that warns of risks and vulnerabilities before they result in data breaches. They should also make it easier to comply with industry and governmental data privacy standards. Encryption and backups are also essential for protecting data.
SIEM
In order to automatically identify suspect user activity and launch a preventative or corrective response, security information and event management (SIEM) gathers and analyzes data from security events. SIEM solutions now come with sophisticated detection techniques like artificial intelligence and user behavior analytics (AI). According to the risk management goals of your firm, SIEM can automatically order the reaction to cyber threats. Additionally, a lot of businesses are integrating their SIEM tools with security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms, which help businesses respond to cybersecurity incidents faster and more automatically while also resolving many incidents without the need for human intervention.
What is the purpose of cybersecurity?
Multiple layers of security are dispersed across the computers, networks, programs, or data that one wants to keep secure in an effective cybersecurity strategy. For a business to have a successful defense against cyberattacks, the people, processes, and technology must all work in harmony. By automating interconnections across a few Cisco Security products, a unified threat management system may speed up crucial security operations tasks like detection, investigation, and remediation.
People
Users must be aware of and adhere to fundamental data security rules including using secure passwords, being cautious when opening email attachments, and regularly backing up their files. Learn more about the fundamentals of cybersecurity.
Processes
Companies need a plan for how they will respond to both attempted and successful cyberattacks. You can be led by a well-respected framework. It describes how to recognize assaults, safeguard systems, identify risks and take appropriate action, as well as how to recover from successful attacks. Check out this video that explains the NIST cybersecurity framework (1:54)
Technology
Giving businesses and individuals the computer security tools they need to defend themselves against cyberattacks requires technology. Endpoint devices including PCs, smart devices, and routers, networks, and the cloud are the three key things that need to be secured. Next-generation firewalls, DNS filtering, malware protection, antivirus software, and email security solutions are some of the technologies frequently employed to safeguard these institutions.
What makes cybersecurity crucial?
In the connected world of today, cutting-edge cyberdefense programs are beneficial to everyone. A cybersecurity assault can personally lead to anything from identity theft to extortion attempts to the loss of crucial information like family photos. Critical infrastructure, such as power plants, hospitals, and financial service providers, is a necessity for everyone. To keep our society running smoothly, it is crucial to secure these and other institutions.
Everyone gains from the efforts of cyberthreat researchers who look into new and existing risks as well as cyber assault tactics, such as the 250-person threat research team at Talos. They strengthen open source tools, expose new flaws, and inform others about the value of cybersecurity. Their efforts increase everyone’s online safety.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The IoT connects physical objects to the Internet and allows them to communicate with one another. Many software businesses are currently working to improve or convert their products in order to benefit from integration with the growing IoT industry. For instance, Airbiquity offers its users data management services and over-the-air upgrades for connected cars. So they have the choice to select whether to automatically alert their loved ones in the event of an automobile accident.
However, IoT development has also given rise to further security worries. The hazards of data breaches, ransomware, and cyberattacks are growing as it is difficult to ensure that MQTT and other IoT protocols are secure. There is currently no perfect technique to guarantee IoT security.
What makes the Internet of Things (IoT) so crucial?
IoT has emerged in recent years as one of the most significant 21st-century technologies. Continuous communication between people, processes, and things is now possible thanks to the ability to connect commonplace items—such as household appliances, automobiles, thermostats, and baby monitors—to the internet via embedded devices.
Low-cost computing, the cloud, big data, analytics, and mobile technologies enable the sharing and collection of data by physical objects with a minimum of human intervention. Digital systems can record, monitor, and modify every interaction between connected things in today’s hyperconnected world. The physical and digital worlds collide, but they work together.
IoT applications are what?
Commercial-grade SaaS IoT applications
IoT Intelligent Applications are prebuilt SaaS applications that can analyze and display IoT sensor data to corporate users via dashboards. A whole range of IoT Intelligent Applications are available.
IoT apps analyze vast volumes of linked sensor data in the cloud using machine learning algorithms. You may see important performance indicators, statistics for the mean time between failures, and other data using real-time IoT dashboards and alerts. Algorithms built on machine learning can detect abnormalities in equipment, inform users, and even start automated repairs or preventative steps.
Business users may immediately improve current operations for supply chains, customer service, human resources, and financial services with cloud-based IoT apps. There is no need to start from scratch with every business procedure.
What are some methods for deploying IoT applications?
A wide range of applications are being driven by IoT’s capacity to both enable and deliver sensor data as well as device-to-device communication. The most well-known programs and their functions are listed below.
Utilize machine monitoring and product-quality monitoring to increase manufacturing efficiencies
To ensure that machines are operating within the necessary tolerances, they can be continuously evaluated and monitored. Real-time product monitoring is another option for finding and fixing quality issues.
Enhance the “ring-fencing” and tracking of physical assets
Businesses can rapidly locate assets thanks to tracking. They can ensure that high-value assets are safeguarded against theft and removal by using ring-fencing.
Use wearables to keep an eye on environmental conditions and human health metrics
IoT wearables allow patients to be remotely monitored by doctors and help consumers understand their own health better. Additionally, thanks to technology, businesses can monitor the health and safety of their personnel, which is particularly helpful for those who work in dangerous environments.
Improve existing processes to create new opportunities and efficiencies
One illustration of this is the use of IoT to improve linked logistics for fleet management in terms of efficiency and safety. Businesses may enhance productivity by directing trucks in real-time using IoT fleet monitoring.
Embrace changes to company processes
The use of IoT devices for linked assets to monitor the health of distant machinery and initiate service calls for preventive maintenance is an illustration of this. The capacity to remotely monitor equipment is also opening up new product-as-a-service business models, in which clients pay to use a thing rather than purchase it.
What is the Internet of Things’ history?
Although there are undoubtedly some much earlier precedents, the idea of integrating sensors and intelligence into everyday objects was discussed throughout the 1980s and 1990s. However, aside from a few early projects, such as an internet-connected vending machine, progress was sluggish due to the fact that the technology wasn’t yet mature. There was no practical mechanism for objects to interact since chips were too huge and heavy.
Before it was eventually feasible to connect billions of devices, we required processors that were affordable and power-efficient enough to be all but disposable. This problem was partially resolved by the use of RFID tags, which are low-power chips that can communicate wirelessly, as well as by the growing accessibility of broadband internet, cellular technology, and wireless networking. A critical step for the IoT to scale was the introduction of IPv6, which should, among other things, offer enough IP addresses for every device the globe (or, in fact, this galaxy) is ever likely to need.
Internet of Things
The term “Internet of Things” was first used by Kevin Ashton in 1999, but it took at least another ten years for technology to catch up with the concept.
“The Internet of Things (IoT) unifies the interconnection of our digital information system, or “the internet,” with the interconnectedness of human culture, or “things.” IoT in that sense, “said Ashton to ZDNet.
One of the first IoT uses involved equipping pricey pieces of equipment with RFID tags to track their whereabouts. However, since then, the price of integrating sensors and an internet connection into things has decreased, and experts anticipate that this fundamental capability could one day cost as little as 10 cents, making it possible to connect almost everything to the internet.
The IoT was first most attractive for business and manufacturing, where its use is frequently known as machine-to-machine (M2M). However, the emphasis is now on bringing smart gadgets into our homes and workplaces, making it important to practically everyone. Blogjects (things that blog and record information about themselves to the internet), ubiquitous computing (or “ubicomp”), invisible computing, and pervasive computing were some of the early concepts for internet-connected items. Internet of Things and IoT, however, became popular.
System-on-Chip (SoC) (SoC)
Because of its small size and enormous potential, SoC is a hot topic in the contemporary embedded sector. On a single chip, it enables businesses to create a full embedded product. Allied Industry Research projects that by 2023, the SoC market will be worth $205,4 billion. Even while SoC is applicable everywhere, the healthcare industry benefits most from it. Manufacturers of medical wearables can use this CPU architectural approach to create compact, feature-rich devices while still satisfying the necessary power requirements.
Alternatives with a Specific Use
In addition to the System-on-a-Chip with a multi-functional microprocessor described above, there are other SoCs that lack a CPU core since they were created specifically for a given application in a given system. These are known as ASICs, or Application-Specific Integrated Circuits. In addition, there are Use-Specific Standard Parts, or ASSPs, which operate in a similar manner but have a broader application than ASICs due to their bespoke design. Although technically System-on-a-Chip designs, these two are typically regarded as distinct from SoCs because of their more specialized applications.
SoCs typically require a larger initial investment than motherboard-based systems, ASICs, or ASSPs because they are customized and fully functional integrated circuits. However, if packaging and interface technology develops further, devices with power and size similar to SoCs will appear—at lower prices. Multi-chiplet systems-in-package that have been redesigned are challenging SoCs as we move towards the future of microsystem development. With new possibilities becoming available, the concept of “chip” is starting to haze.
Why SoC?
One of the fundamental driving forces behind the development of systems on a chip is the realization that, as we move forward into the future, our main objectives are to reduce energy waste, save money, and reduce the space occupied by massive systems. By essentially condensing what are typically multichip architectures onto a single processor that consumes a lot less power than before, a SoC allows you to accomplish all of those aims. These chips have enabled us to design a wide range of portable devices that we can easily carry with us wherever we go without ever having to give up on the strength and functionality of the tools. As a result, they are frequently utilized in embedded systems, as well as our own cellphones, vehicles, and other devices.
Priceless applications
A system on a chip is now an essential component of the current technology and electronics industries, yet just a few decades ago it was nothing more than a buzzword. SoCs have nearly endless and priceless applications in the real world. The majority, if not all, portable electronics like cameras, tablets, cellphones, and other wireless devices use them. An effective illustration of a system on chip is your smartphone.
In addition to making and receiving calls, using a cell phone also includes browsing the internet, watching videos, listening to music, taking pictures, playing games, sending texts, and other activities. Without a number of other parts, such as a graphics card, internet access, wireless connections, GPS, and many others, none of this would be feasible. All of these parts can be combined on a single chip, reduced in size to fit in the palm of your hand, and carried around in your phone as a functioning system thanks to a SoC.
Building Blocks for SoC
- The processor that defines a system on chip’s functions must be present at the system’s core from the outset.
- An SoC often contains several CPU cores. It could be an application-specific instruction set processor, digital signal processor, microprocessor, microcontroller, or microprocessor.
Second, the chip needs to have the necessary memory for computing. It might have flash memory, EEPROM, RAM, or ROM. - External interfaces that enable compliance with industry standard communication protocols like USB, Ethernet, and HDMI are the next item a SoC must have. It can also use wireless technologies and Bluetooth and WiFi protocol integration.
- A GPU, or graphic processing unit, is also required in order to aid in interface visualization.
- Voltage regulators, phase lock loop control systems, oscillators, clocks, timers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, and other components may also be found on a SoC.
- A network or internal interface bus that connects each of the separate blocks.
- In the end, the components that make up a SoC match the job that it is designed to do.
SoC Benefits
Utilizing a SoC primarily results in power savings, space savings, and cost savings.
Because their performance is optimized per watt, SoCs are also significantly more efficient as systems.
Systems on chip also frequently reduce latency, provided that the motherboard’s numerous components are arranged in a way that reduces interference, shortens connecting times, and speeds up data transmission.
CPU vs. SoC
The time when the CPU was the central and most important component of the complete computing system is long past. Now, the CPU is merely one component of the whole equation that results in a system on chip. The strength of the CPU is combined with a number of other parts that it need to function and carry out its functions in a SoC.
Because a SoC has double the power and capability of a simple CPU system while occupying almost the same space on the motherboard, SoCs are becoming more and more popular. The CPU will continue to depend on many other pieces of external hardware, but a SoC has room for everything you wish to add on its little chip. SoCs are substantially more efficient and energy-conscious than CPUs since they consume less wire and less electricity as a result. The SoC’s only drawback, when compared to a CPU system, is that it requires more maintenance and repair work.
With a CPU, you can quickly swap out and use other components like RAM or a GPU, but with a SoC, the procedure is much more difficult. In reality, it is nearly impossible to make modifications to a system on chip once it has been produced, therefore it is better to construct a new one instead of even attempting to repair or upgrade the existing one if it is broken or needs to be updated.
Online Reality (VR)
Virtual reality and augmented reality are currently used in a wide range of industries, including medical, manufacturing, education, and others, when previously they were exclusively connected with gaming.
The development of VR and AR systems depends heavily on embedded technologies. More sophisticated and advanced VR solutions are made possible by the increased processing power, enhanced connection, and shrinking of embedded devices.
VIRTUAL REALITY: WHAT IS IT?
With images and things that seem real, a virtual reality (VR) environment gives the user the impression that they completely engrossed in their surroundings. A virtual reality headset, helmet, or other equipment is used to view this environment. VR enables us to learn how to conduct heart surgery, better our sports training to increase performance, and immerse ourselves in video games as if we were one of the characters.
Even while it can appear to be quite far in the future, its beginnings are not as recent as we might believe. Many people actually believe that the Sensorama, a machine with a built-in seat that played 3D movies, released odors, and produced vibrations to make the experience as lifelike as possible, was one of the first Virtual Reality gadgets. The invention created in the middle of the 1950s. Over the years that followed, software and technological advancements brought about a steady progression in interface design and in devices.
AUGMENTED REALITY DIFFERENCES
Even though virtual reality is a technology that has been around for a while, many people are still not familiar with it. Another frequent misunderstanding is between augmented reality and virtual reality.
The primary distinction between the two is that, using a certain headset, VR creates the reality in which we immerse ourselves. Everything we see is a part of a synthetic environment that has created with visuals, audio, etc. It is entirely immersive. Contrarily, in augmented reality (AR), our own world serves as the backdrop for the placement of various objects, images, and other things. Everything we see is in a real world, so wearing a headset might not be strictly necessary. The best and most well-known illustration of this idea found in Pokémon Go.
Mixed reality, on the other hand, combines the two realities. With the help of hybrid technology, it is possible to create experiences where the physical and the digital are almost indistinguishable, such as seeing virtual objects in the real world.
VIRTUAL REALITY’S MAIN APPLICATIONS
I’ll stop talking about the idea that is predicting the future now. Which industries are now utilizing virtual reality? Some of the fields that have already benefited from this technology. They are medicine, culture, education, and architecture. Virtual reality enables us to traverse barriers that would otherwise be unthinkable. From narrated museum tours to the dissection of a muscle.
VIRTUAL REALITY’S FUTURE
One of the technologies with the highest expected future growth is virtual reality. The most recent predictions from IDC Research (2018) state that over the next four years. Investments in VR and AR would increase 21-fold, reaching 15.5 billion euros. Furthermore, these technologies will be essential to businesses’ goals for digital transformation, and by 2019. Ttheir spending in this area will surpass that of the consumer sector. As a result, it anticipated that by 2020. More than half of the major European corporations would have a VR and RA strategy.
Applications that go beyond leisure, tourism, or marketing are now in high demand on the market. And they must also be more user-friendly and economical. Additionally, virtual interfaces must enhanced to prevent flaws like clipping. Which gives the appearance that some solid objects can pass through. Or to lessen the negative impacts that VR has on people. Such as motion sickness, which caused by a mismatch between how our bodies move. And what perceived in the virtual environment.
HD visual viewing
The major technology firms are already striving to create headgear. That don’t require cords and allow for HD visual viewing. Virtual reality headsets with 8K resolution and even more potent processors currently developed. Even the possibility of integrating artificial intelligence within the following few years discussed. The most recent 5G standard may potentially offer some pretty intriguing VR development situations. More gadgets and sizable user populations will be able to connect thanks to this standard. Customers will be able to receive photos in real time. Virtually as if they were seeing them with their own eyes, because to its nearly undetectable latency.
With all of this, virtual reality is no longer the stuff of science fiction. It is a part of the present and will spur innovations that will influence the future in the coming years.
Looking Forward
Embedded systems will keep evolving, allowing developers of embedded software to create more effective, reliable. And secure embedded solutions. It makes sense to keep an eye on the major trends in the industry. If you want to increase clientele and improve the customer experience.
The adoption of IoT, AI, and more complicated VR and AR solutions. As well as an increase in cybersecurity concerns and better solutions to address them. Will drive the current trends in embedded technology.
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