What is an Embedded System ? Embedded System programming - An Intro.

Embedded systems are electronics added to other products to make them "smarter", or easier to use, or to add unique features. Examples include coffee pots that know when to start brewing that morning cup ( before your alarm clock even goes off ), or the bread machine that makes an excellent loaf of wheat bread, or the engine control in your car that knows when it needs a tuneup. 
Embedded control products are found in almost all market segments : consumer, commercial, PC peripherals, telecommunications (including personal telecommunication products), automotive and industrial. Most often embedded control products must meet special requirements : cost effectiveness, low-power, small-footprint and a high level of system integration.

Typically, most Embedded control systems are designed around a MCU (Micro Controller Unit) which integrates on-chip program memory, data memory (RAM) and various peripheral functions, such as timers, displays, keyboard and communication devices. Such systems usually requires display drivers, device drivers to manage various devices and implement the application with or without operator intervention. Some systems require real time or quick response to real world inputs. Often they operate without any operator assistance or inputs round the clock. This requires very high system stability and error handling capability.

Embedded Systems programming is different from PC application programming in the following aspects.

a. Unlike "processor" applications such as personal computers and workstations, the computing or controlling elements of the embedded control applications are buried inside the application. 
b. Requires understanding of Hardware/System architecture. The user of the product is only concerned with the very top-level commands. Very rarely does an end-user know (or care to know) the embedded controller inside (unlike the conscientious PC programmers, who are intimately familiar not only with the processor type, but also its clock speed, DMA capabilities and so on). 
c. Requires strict/careful timing characteristics.
d. Should be programmed to run on resource/ time/ performance constrained environments and fast response/ less memory.

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Why should I outsource Embedded Software ?

"Whenever a company produces something internally that others can buy or produce more efficiently and effectively, it sacrifices competitive edge." - Harvard Business Review, April 1990

• When a company does not have access to the technology or human resources required to develop a high quality software product.
• Even if a company has got the technology to meet its project, it may not have a quicker access to the available technology-it may need to train its in-house development team, making the cost of the project high and delaying it.
• When a company wishes to develop software, and its in-house development team's experience does not match the requirements.
• When a company has a special project that needs to be developed with unusually high quality and robustness.
• Outsourcing allows customers to retain focus of core business/technology.

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Does TSPL undertake "other" software projects ?

While we specialize in system softwares such as Device Drivers, RTOS, ... we also undertake custom application development on Linux and Windows platforms.

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What can TSPL do in Data Communication area ?

We can undertake a wide range of projects/services such as implementing/adapting Standard Protocols to a platform, Custom Protocols for Industrial Controls and Instrumentation, develop Applications based on Data Communication.

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What is the size of a typical project ?

Typically our projects range from 6 staff-months to as large as 10 staff-years with elapse time/time schedule ranging from 4 months to 18 months.

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Does TSPL undertake hardware development ?

Though we are primarily a software development company, we do undertake design and development of certain small hardware interfaces and subsystems as part of a more extensive development project.
(eg: interface cards, buffers, etc).

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How does TSPL support its customers ?

We provide support onsite and through web and E-mail.

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