Software versatility is the key

John Minihan, general manager of Resource Engineering Projects, discusses the versatility of embedded software and how increasing functionality and reduced time to market

are making companies consider outsourcing more of the development lifecycle.
Of all system components embedded software is arguably the most versatile because of the relative ease and speed with which changes can be made.

The modification of a software function will usually take a fraction of the time of similar functional changes in electronic or mechanical components. Re-certification of these changes and the overall product will take similar time regardless of discipline, but the physical installation/upload of a software change onto the end product can typically be completed within an hour.

So what makes software so versatile? This is best answered by considering how it enables embedded systems to be designed from the ‘outside in'. Most systems can be designed by putting in place the I/O with which to interface with the outside world, then dropping in sufficient hardware, processing power, memory and firmware (i.e. programmable logic) to act as a computing platform. Control of the outputs in relation to the changing inputs can all be achieved in software, using the hardware as a platform to interface to the physical, real world components.

The system designer can choose to implement all or some of the functionality in hardware if timing is of particular issue, but any change in these hardware requirements could require a redesign, including PCBs which could be costly in terms of time, scrap and retrofit.

However, if the system is designed with requirement updates and software changes in mind, and enough ‘hardware headroom' (in terms of spare I/O, processing capacity, memory and firmware) has been provided at initial development, then the result is a platform on which to develop a versatile application. This way, designers can be safe in the knowledge that they can adapt how the system works through the software without changing the physical components of the system.

Software's adaptability has three main attractions. Firstly, its versatility enables ‘base' products to be developed and variants from this base to be generated for alternative applications. Secondly, software enables the fine-tuning of products during their development programmes and after entry into service by use of software variables that can be trimmed. Lastly, software can be used to implement fixes in response to problems found in the field or implement enhancements in functional requirements.

Time to market causes re-think

Versatility means embedded software is of increasing value in control intensive environments such as aerospace. The development, verification and certification of this versatile commodity are not without their challenges; most notably in light of current and predicted skills shortages, how to get your product to market before the competition.

Whilst universities here in the UK and abroad are producing a relatively plentiful supply of generic programmers, the development and verification for critical embedded applications requires software engineers with knowledge of real-time embedded safety critical development and testing techniques, which are not readily available from the universities. Accordingly, it's becoming an increasingly popular practice to outsource more of a product's development to specialist risk-sharing outsource partners.

Deciding what to outsource is difficult and is best achieved by conducting a ‘Do-Buy' analysis. It tends to be a given that top-level design remains in-house, as this is where a company's IPR resides, with implementation and verification activities being outsourced because the inputs are more stable, the IPR is more distant and the process is well-defined.

Historically, companies would outsource tasks that were labour-intensive and which required little application knowledge (hence the IPR was retained by the client), but now, against the background of finding the correct skills to deliver products on time, companies are looking higher up the lifecycle to see what else can be outsourced. These companies are looking for partners they can trust to deliver on time, to quality, at a reasonable price and who will treat their IPR with the same level of confidentiality as they do their own.

For example, in 2009, Resource Engineering Projects (REP), part of Resource Group, undertook software module verification activities on the engine control unit and engine/propeller protection and monitoring unit for a European military engine developer. Over the intervening years, REP's responsibilities have increased as more of the lifecycle has been outsourced, and now include requirement reviews, design reviews, code reviews, static analysis, control and data flow analysis, module testing, and hardware/software integration test reviews.

Where will it all end?

In light of the increased dependence on real-time embedded software within many industries and the predicted skills shortages we will undoubtedly see more and more outsourcing taking place; particularly as companies strive to develop products as quickly as possible that must boast adaptability, longevity and give them a competitive edge.

Increasingly, companies are outsourcing higher level activities, with some even outsourcing all of the development lifecycle. This makes for difficult commercial arrangements as the inputs are more volatile and will often require the supplier to take on some level of risk-sharing. The question now being asked within the software supply chain is, should Do-Buy analysis be replaced by Do-Buy-Share analysis?

For instance, WheelTug, the company behind the electric drive system installed in the nose landing gear of aircraft to give on ground the control and drive during push back and taxi operations selected REP as its risk sharing partner for all the software/firmware activities within the project. This decision was made based on Wheeltug's need to find a competent, specialist software partner who was willing to undertake risk sharing on a challenging project. REP will be responsible for the design, development, verification and provision of certification evidence (to DO178B) of all the software and firmware within the electric drive system and cockpit controller.

In conclusion, the versatility of software, coupled with the drive by companies to have more functionality in their products, has caused an explosion in the number of embedded applications being developed, particularly the number of those in safety critical applications. Added to this is the need for faster development times and the shortage of specialist engineers has driven companies to reconsider what they do in-house and what they outsource; and even to look for partners with which to share risk and reward.

www.repsoftware.co.uk

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