Asian embedded systems become more complex

A survey of Asian embedded systems shows that the region's engineers are working with more complex designs and components, with 55% expected to use 32bit or higher microprocessors this year.

Global Sources' sixth annual "Embedded systems development trends: Asia survey" shows that the region's engineers are working with more complex designs and components, with 55% expected to use 32bit or higher microprocessors this year - up from 49% in 2005.

The survey was conducted by Global Sources publication Electronic Engineering Times-Asia (EE Times-Asia) and Gartner.

It attracted 547 engineers from mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and India.

EE Times-Asia publisher, Mark Saunderson, said: "As Asia moves up the silicon value chain, not only are engineers using more advanced components, project teams are also expanding and becoming increasingly specialised".

"39% of engineers surveyed primarily design software and firmware - up from 34% in 2005".

"Meanwhile, the proportion of system designers has fallen to 39%, from 47%".

Saunderson added: "In mainland China, the trend toward specialisation is also accelerating".

"System designers still comprise the largest category of mainland China respondents - at 44% - but the proportion is significantly lower than last year's 57%".

"42% of mainland China engineers now focus on software and firmware design".

As projects grow more complex, Asia's engineers increasingly use third-party modules or cores to reduce design time and costs.

66% of surveyed engineers specify the use of cores.

Gartner Research Vice President, Daya Nadamuni, said: "Consumer electronics shares the spotlight with communications as the electronics industry's main growth drivers, while industrial controls are increasingly important as more factory floor appliances are networked".

"23% of respondents said consumer electronics is the main application for their designs, while 21% cited communications and 22% cited industrial controls".

Saunderson added: "Demand for embedded components and development tools will continue to grow robustly in Asia and China - 67% of surveyed engineers plan to start an average of five new design projects this year".

In evaluating component suppliers, respondents rated component/system size as the most important factor with a rating of 2.1 on a 2.5-point scale.

Other important factors include support for BDM/JTAG; availability of on-chip memory; power consumption and availability of evaluation kits/reference designs.

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