Functional Safety, AI & Vibe Coding: When in doubt, better to avoid!
How should we assess the interplay of functional safety and AI? A detailed look at a complex situation.
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Do we need functional safety RTOS software?
While functional safety doesn't require an RTOS as a prerequisite, an RTOS becomes technically advisable when scheduling, task separation, resource management, stack monitoring, or partitioning become part of the safety case.
CRA Article Series Part 2: Spoofing and Tampering Attacks in Bus Systems
In the context of embedded systems, spoofing and tampering are the most common types of message manipulation. Starting from an attacker who has gained access to the overall system via a maintenance or telemetry interface, compromised attempts to manipulate message traffic are made on a bus network. This allows for...
Embedded Systems Architecture: Specification and Description
„Does an embedded system have an architecture? Yes, always. Regardless of whether it is “good„ or “bad.„ This is why refactoring and porting projects often begin with documenting the embedded system's architecture. It plays a central role in the hardware and software view of...
Cyber Resilience Act Embedded Software Article Series
Article Series Part 1: Significance and Classification The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), adopted by the EU Council in October 2024, defines binding cybersecurity requirements for digital products for the first time and directly links them to the CE marking. The Cyber Resilience Act thus has for manufacturers of...
How we structurally implement customer ideas in electronics
The classic requirements specification is often considered an indispensable starting point for an electronics project. However, in reality, this approach often proves to be inflexible. Requirements are still unclear, the application is complex, and the optimal technical solution has not yet been determined. With…
Requirements for Service Providers and Development Partners in the Defense Industry
The development of defense electronics and electronic defense systems is subject to special regulations. Companies that want to act as electronic development partners for defense or as technological development partners for the German Armed Forces or a NATO partner must meet strict criteria. B2B buyers and technical decision-makers in the defense and security industry pay attention...
EMV problems with industrial printed circuit boards
EMV is rarely the primary topic at the beginning of a development project. EMV problems are insidious and only appear long after the initial development iterations. In the early stages, functionality, component selection, and PCB layout are the focus. However, if EMV requirements are not considered from the start…
Electronics & Rail Industry: Requirements for Service Providers
In the railway industry, safety is paramount – especially in the development of electronic systems that are essential for train operations and signaling technology. This particularly concerns safe electronics. The railway industry and train traffic mean not only flawless function but also reliable…
ITAR & Electronics: Critical Components and Dual-Use
Especially in the military sector, electronics development is subject to strict regulatory requirements. Two of the most important U.S. regulations are the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). „ITAR electronics“ therefore means that the electronics contain components that are subject to ITAR rules. They…
Outsource embedded systems?
Many technology companies invest a significant portion of their development resources in activities that create little differentiation for the actual product. For many decision-makers, it is therefore already clear today: outsourcing embedded systems is not a disgrace, but a success factor for products with a high...
Standards for MIL Electronics and Embedded Systems in Defense
Military-grade PCBs are characterized by high climatic demands. Above all, however, they must work reliably for decades – often without the possibility of maintenance. Hardware development at MIL Elektronik is therefore subject to strict limitations early in the process. This article examines...
Software-Defined Defense – Explained Simply
The term Software Defined Defence (SDD) currently dominates the strategic centers of defense contractors and armies and describes an approach in which military capabilities are primarily defined and further developed by software. Instead of achieving upgrades mainly through new hardware, the...
Why the Cyber Resilience Act is not a paper tiger
Since the adoption of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), many manufacturers and suppliers have been wondering how seriously the European Union intends to implement this new regulation. Will it ultimately remain mere lip service – or will there actually be a...
Why MIL-498 (MIL-STD-498) is still relevant
MIL-STD-498 (Military Standard 498) is a U.S. military standard for software development and documentation, published in 1994. It was developed to replace the previous, sometimes separate, software standards DOD-STD-2167A, DOD-STD-2168, DOD-STD-7935A, and DOD-STD-1703. The goal was to establish uniform requirements for...
Cortex M85 – the standard for AI on microcontrollers
The requirements for embedded devices have increased significantly in recent years. Particularly in areas like machine learning (ML) and signal processing, there is a growing demand for powerful yet energy-efficient solutions. Due to limited resources and processing power, microcontrollers are often…
Competency Profile of Service Providers for Embedded Systems in Armaments and Defense
What must an electronics service provider for defense be capable of? Electronics are a central component of modern military systems. Sensor technology, communication systems, control units, autonomous platforms, or electronic countermeasures are based on highly integrated hardware and software. Companies that work as development partners for such systems must therefore…
ESP32 and ESP8266 – Perfect Weapons for Cyberwar
Conspiracy myths surround the ESP32 and ESP8266. China? WiFi? Killswitch? A explosive document from the think tank ICIT already caused a stir in 2020 with a report. This now updated essay again provides reasons and arguments that, quite one-sidedly, support this thesis...
Embedded Software Freelancer – 5 Honest Reasons For, 5 Against
Many companies look for an embedded software freelancer when development projects come under pressure, internal teams are stretched, or specialized expertise is lacking on short notice.
Hiring an Embedded Systems Freelancer – Helpful or Risky?
Many companies look for an embedded systems freelancer when internal development projects come under pressure, staffing shortages arise, or specialized expertise is needed on short notice. The idea is obvious: an external specialist can start quickly, provide flexible support, and fill in for missing resources on short notice. …
Embedded Systems Recruiter vs. Service Provider for Urgent Projects
Personal Demand for Embedded Systems as a Motivation for Action Those seeking support for embedded software, electronics, or technical development projects often encounter a market that appears homogeneous at first glance but actually consists of two completely different worlds. On the one hand, there are…
What is the hourly rate for an embedded systems service provider?
How much does an embedded software or hardware developer cost per hour? The question about the service provider's hourly rate is valid and legitimate.
The Electronics and Embedded Systems Requirements Specification
Companies that want to have custom embedded systems developed often face the same question: How do you describe the requirements for a new device or board so that a development service provider can work with them? In many cases, a technical idea already exists…