Autonomous vehicles must operate in a world of uncertainties. Validation platforms are now capable of determining whether behavior is correct given complex contextual attributes. David Fritz, Mentor, A Siemens Business There is an interesting dashcam video circulating in the autonomous vehicle (AV) development community of a Tesla-paid test driver coming up on what the driver […]
FAQ
The working principle, applications and limitations of ultrasonic sensors
The ultrasonic sensor (or transducer) works on the same principles as a radar system. An ultrasonic sensor can convert electrical energy into acoustic waves and vice versa. The acoustic wave signal is an ultrasonic wave traveling at a frequency above 18kHz. The famous HC SR04 ultrasonic sensor generates ultrasonic waves at 40kHz frequency. Typically, a […]
Embedded security: Do you know what you don’t know?
by Lynnette Reese, contributing editor Most of us assume that security comes from the operating system or application software. However, firmware is also at risk, including anything that barely hovers over the physical layer (silicon) in the chip. Embedded security is especially important in blocking seemingly innocuous pathways for hacking, such as in an automotive […]
The role of sensors in IoT networks, Part 2: Smart sensors and how to choose
Part 2 of this series continues with answering common questions about how sensors work in IoT system development. What are smart sensors? Basic sensors can detect changes in their environments and convert measured data into a digital format for the external microcontroller to process. The “smart” is in the microcontroller. Combining the microcontrollers in a […]
What are the roles of sensors in an IoT network? Part 1
The Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing have created many smart industries such as smart city, smart factories, smart agriculture, smart medicine, and more. How do they become smart? The key lies in real-time data capture and analytics, using various types of sensors. TechJury, a software firm that reviews forecasts from various companies, predicts […]
Inertial Measurement Units: The hidden key to Apollo success, now a MEMS device (Part 2)
Part 1 of this article looked at the classic, highly refined, mature gyroscope-based IMU used for the Apollo moon mission; this part looks at the very different technologies which have largely replaced it. Gyro-based IMU: obsolete, or not? Inertial navigation relies on a stable platform with an orientation which is fixed in space and maintains […]
Inertial Measurement Units: The hidden key to Apollo success, now a MEMS device (part 1)
Transforming the gyroscope from a child’s toy to a precise guidance system for the Apollo moon landings demanded the ultimate in analytical, engineering, and manufacturing effort: now, MEMS-based units have largely replaced these gyro-based systems. With the 50th anniversary of the Apollo manned lunar landing on July 16, 1969, 9:32 AM GMT-4, there have been […]
Part 3: Winning with a sustainable PDC management process in embedded systems design: implementation
In part 1, we presented an overview of the product life cycle (PLC) and product development cycle (PDC), as well as the difference between the two. Part 2 explained in detail the 12 steps of the product life cycle (PDC). In this final part, we offer some practical suggestions on PDC implementation. The secret to […]
Part 2: Winning with a sustainable PDC management process in embedded systems design – 12 steps
In part 1, we provided an overview of the product life cycle (PLC) and product development cycle (PDC), noting their distinct differences. In this second part, we will explain in detail the 12 steps of the product development cycle (PDC). Figure 1 shows the typical flow chart of a PDC management process and the 12 […]
Winning with a sustainable PDC management process in embedded system design
This is the first in a three-part tutorial series explaining how to implement the product development cycle process. Nearly everyone knows Microsoft Excel. Fewer know Lotus 123, and almost no one remembers VisiCalc, the first version of a spreadsheet computer program for personal computers, which ran on the Apple II. There have been a few […]
