Career in EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

 

INTRODUCTION:

An EMBEDDED SYSTEM is a computer system with a particular function within a huge mechanical or electrical system, often with real time computing constraints, which means our PC or smart phone are not embedded systems but the Bluetooth module or graphic card in our PC are embedded systems.
Embedded system can also be defined as “A microprocessor based system does not look like a computer “. These are tiny electronic chips inside a CPU, that compute and calculate the commands.

WHY ACTUALLY WE NEED EMBEDDED SYSTEMS:

Due to their compact size, low cost and simple design features made embedded systems very popular and enter into human lives and become unavoidable. They are found everywhere from kitchenware to spare craft. To emphasize this ideas here are some illustrations.
Embedded systems connect all aspects of modern life and there are many examples of their use.

• Bio-medical instrumentation – ECG Recorder, Blood cell recorder, patient monitor system.

• Communication systems – pagers, cellular phones, cable TV terminals. Fax and trans-receivers, video games and so on.

• Peripheral controllers of a computer – keyboard controller, DRAM controller, DMA controller, printer controller, LAN controller.

SCOPE AND QUALIFICATION:

Embedded system field is highly technical and is mostly based on electronics engineering and along with some coding knowledge from computer science engineering .Usually only candidates with a background in electronics engineering can get into this industries because it requires a minimum of BE/B-Tech/BS in ECE/EEE as a necessary qualification. However, Computer Science/IT engineers can also try for these jobs, with good knowledge of digital fundamentals and software programming.

WHAT ARE THE SKILL REQUIRED TO BE A EMBEDDED SYSTEM ENGINEER:

There are mainly 3 skills to know-

• We need to know any programming language like C, C++, java etc.

• We need to know about microcontrollers like 8051 microcontroller and how to write and run the program in microcontroller.

• We need to learn interfacing and make our own breadboard circuits.

i.e., with programming language and micro-controller programming under our belt, we are ready to go on to next step-Building something and learning from it. Microprocessors are computing engines which we are controlling programmatically. But practically we cannot do anything with just a microcontroller.  Even for basic user interaction, we need to INTERFACE SOME PERIPHERAL to it.

JOB OPPURTUNITIES IN THE EMBEDDED SYSTEM INDUSTRY:

There are plenty of job opportunities in these industries. To properly line up our career goals and training, we need to have a better understanding of the job titles and job profiles in embedded system offers. More importantly, we should know about our strengths and personal attributes and choose the right job accordingly. Let us look at the various job opportunities and designations in the embedded system industry.

• Embedded Developer: The role of embedded developer is to design, develop, optimiz and implement the software that is programmed into devices built around a microprocessor. We write a code to solve problems and implement systems that make a physical hardware device which work through software.

• Embedded Firmware Engineer: Firmware is the programmable content in electronic hardware devices, such as remote controls, mobile phones and medical devices that provides commands to the device on how to operate. Firmware engineers create and implement these commands, called algorithms, which enable the hardware to function.

• Embedded Software Engineer: The role of embedded software engineer is designing and implementation of complete software development that include analysis and deployment.

• Embedded Test Engineer: The role of embedded test engineer is demonstrating experience in writing and execution of test cases and applying structured testing methodologies.

• Embedded Hardware Research Engineer: The role of hardware research engineer is leading and executing the development of embedded hardware of products.

• Lead Validation Engineer In Embedded Systems: The role of lead validation engineer in embedded system is development of new device drivers for future products and maintaining the existing device drivers for deployed products. 

PAYSCALE:
The average salary of embedded system engineer is in the range of 4L-7L/year.