[Turn] 10 recommendations for embedded systems engineers

From being more familiar with open source software to developing applications (apps), industry experts are encouraging embedded engineers to get out of the comfort circle and learn new skills to keep pace with the times.
Looking back at the 1980-year-old embedded field, engineers at the time were designing mixed-signal circuits, connecting microcontrollers, writing low-order codes, and taking back product prototypes from the outside ... As long as an engineer can do all these things. But now, the embedded system becomes larger and more complex, a device may have millions of lines of software code, embedded technology is also divided into hardware development, firmware development and software development.

This is still true in many large companies, but the trend seems to be showing signs of turning back; more and more players are starting to integrate the role of engineers, looking for engineers who are familiar with software and hardware technology, in order to do more with less. Surveys show that more and more engineers are now working on both hardware and software technologies.

There are more and more engineers need the ability of soft and hardware technology

Embedded technology in the thousands of miles, how can engineers ensure that they learn the new technology is the most critical? For this reason, EETimes has consulted nine embedded field experts and a director responsible for recruiting, asking them to share what important skills the embedded engineers need to master today, although their opinions are slightly different, but agree with one point: all engineers should not stop learning.

The following is a summary of the expert opinion, summed up 10 recommendations to the embedded engineer:

1. Learn about the technologies that make the internet possible

Ken Wada, general manager of Aurium Technologies, an independent product design and consulting firm with experience in embedded engineers in 30, believes that most embedded field engineers know how to write C or C + + language programs, but sometimes such skills are not enough He advises embedded engineers to learn about the Internet-related technologies that will add to their career progression, such as several of the development cases he is currently responsible for embedding virtual XML in embedded systems, so that some small network devices can have a "Plug and use" mode of operation.

2. Learn to use the search engine

As a 35-year-old engineer, the PTR group chief scientist who considers himself a "software person who understands the system architecture", Michael Anderson believes that, instead of working behind closed doors, to make good use of the information in the open source world, many common design problems can be found in the Internet to find the same field of elite contribution code , embedded engineers want to get out of their small world and embrace the community, to interact with other engineers in the field, to help each other, and this is the spirit of the open source world.

3. Leave the Comfort Circle!

While it is important to constantly update and upgrade the technology that was good, embedded engineers would be more useful if they were only 18 years of engineer, but the DSP and embedded software development consultant, Jetperch founder of the system and software technology "generalist", suggested that it would be helpful to keep updating and upgrading the technologies that were already well-versed. Getting out of the comfort circle, challenging yourself, learning something you're not familiar with, including engineering knowledge, such as interacting with customers and colleagues, will be rewarding.

4. Familiar with the real-time operation system (RTOS)

Randstad Technologies, a solution manager for the embedded industry at the engineering talent recruiting agency, said that the industry now needs high-quality engineers who are familiar with RTOs and are willing to offer higher pay levels. ; Therefore, he encouraged embedded engineers who had not been exposed to RTOs to start with a smaller system and accumulate relevant technical experience. In addition, he also found that the industry has a lot of needs for embedded Linux talent, mainly because the operating system has a large design flexibility.

5. Develop diversified skills and system concepts

Rebelbot consultant Jen Costillo, a technical consultant with nearly 20 years of engineering and technical experience in a number of different fields, suggested that engineers working on smaller systems architectures (such as MCUs) could begin to familiarize themselves with larger systems (such as Linux drivers) and vice versa. Trying to develop a mobile app, or a technology that learns back-end servers, can open a completely different perspective, and he advises engineers to familiarize themselves with open hardware, and now has a lot of ready-made development boards that allow engineers to focus on the development of unique algorithms.

6. Understand the software also need to know the latest processor

Elecia White, a embedded.fm engineer with over 15 years of experience in embedded software engineers, says that in addition to learning about basic programming languages such as C or C + +, there are times when you need to know some of the hottest new programming languages to meet special design needs, but more importantly, learn about the latest processor technologies The processor is the essence of the embedded system. Because our system resources are limited, we need to know what resources are available.

7. Be familiar with open source software

Rob Oshana, director of global software development for Freescale Semiconductor Digital networks with 31 of engineers, says customers often require a large stack of software to be integrated into the system, so all embedded engineers need to be familiar with various software , he advises engineers to avoid only a single area of expertise, because that may hinder your growth. For embedded engineers, it is invaluable to make sure that you understand the hardware and software technologies.

8. Building a system-level engineering mindset

As an expert in embedded systems with high reliability and a 15-year engineer, Adam Taylor, chief engineer of E2V Electronics systems, believes that embedded engineers have a system-driven mindset that is important, and that many development cases have problems because they do not have the baseline in the early stages of development, Validation strategies and compatibility verification programs, and each embedded engineer should have excellent project management skills to complete the responsible project on time. Having the ability to intelligently respond to technical and project risks can be very helpful for career development.

9. Be able to express your thoughts and opinions clearly through writing or drawing)

Micrum president Jean Labrosse believes that no matter what kind of engineer, they need to be able to effectively express their ideas and opinions, often some novice engineers can not express their ideas clearly, because there is no focus, and the best solution is to practice the graphical, such as drawing a flowchart. This may sound a bit dated, but sometimes it can be useful to use various frame combinations to organize your thoughts and express ideas, such as the ipad's ithoughts application.

10. Learn Wireless Link technology

irobot, a senior Chief software engineer with over 13 years of experience as a low-level embedded engineer, suggests that embedded engineers will need to learn about Wireless Link technology over the next 1-3 years, especially Wi-Fi and Bluetooth low power (BLE), because now the embedded device ( At least a variety of consumer devices are the main (or only) way to connect with the user's smart phone, which is through these wireless technologies, although Wi-Fi and ble may not necessarily be standard for embedded systems, but familiarity with these technologies can be useful for embedded engineers.

Compilation: Judith Cheng

(Refer to Original: Embedded engineers:10 Skills you need now,by Karen Field)

[to] 10 recommendations for embedded system engineers