Managing embedded software development in a competitive world: A challenge from digital broadcasting

Advances in sensor technology and digital signal processing have spawned innovative products in contexts as diverse as the automotive, medical and broadcast industries. These products rely on embedded software to provide enhanced functionality such as data streaming, digital to analogue conversion and display driving. In this sense embedded software can be seen as a powerful enabler for the emergence of new technologies and of the industries in which they are deployed. For technologists, the question of how best to manage the development and commercialisation of the embedded software inevitably arises. Traditionally, techniques used for developing and managing software in general have also been applied to embedded software. However this ignores certain characteristics that are unique to embedded software. In particular it has been argued that dependencies on the physical world mean that embedded software should be treated differently. This paper explores one case from digital broadcasting and reports on the development and management methods used. The challenges faced by the managers are examined in the context of the proposed means of commercialisation. The characteristics of the approaches adopted are compared against those reported in literature, and learning from this experience will be used to assist the development of methods specially tailored to embedded software.