What are Embedded Systems?
Embedded systems are computer systems that perform a finite and usually a small set of specific tasks. These systems are designed around microcontrollers or Digital Signal Processors. Embedded systems are all-pervasive these days and can be found in telecom devices, automobiles, medical, industrial and scientific instrumentation, consumer electronics devices, etc.
The embedded computing system existed even before the invention of the first four-bit microprocessor in the 1970s. The most notable examples of such system were then in spacecrafts, aircrafts and in sophisticated medical instrumentation. Since the invention of the microprocessor by Intel in the early 1970s, embedded systems have become a part of our daily lives, across the globe. Entertainment, communication, home appliances, automobiles and industrial instrumentation and automation have all benefited from embedded systems and software. The total embedded software market in India was estimated to be USD 4.9 billion in 2007 and over 100,000 people were employed by this sector (this excludes the people employed in hardware and board design). The requirement is expected to touch 179,000 in 2010-2011.
The software activities in this sector are as follows:
- Chip level programming (programming microcontrollers and digital signal processors for specific applications)
- OS related programming (device driver development, OS customization and porting, etc.)
- Middleware (e.g., APIs and SDKs)
- Embedded application development and product testing
- Protocol level development (e.g. protocol stacks for Bluetooth, USB, etc.)
Why is NU offering this unique program?
As per IDC-ISA report 2008 on Embedded System Design Service Industry, the shortage of technical workforce is the key challenge in India for this industry. The companies have access to a fairly large number of fresh engineering graduates but have to spend considerable effort on training to make them productive. A further challenge is to upgrade module developers into complete product developers. In other words the product mindset is lacking. With this picture in mind, NU has launched a Masters level program in Embedded Systems – M.Tech. (Embedded Systems).
NU’s core faculty in this area already have a considerable portfolio of intellectual capital to their credit. They have a combined industrial experience of over a hundred person-years and have several granted patents in India and abroad. The researchers in this team have successfully led embedded designers in the diverse fields such as transportation, telecom, telematics, testing & instrumentation, medical electronics and embedded systems for science education. They have created award-winning products which can be seen in action across the globe. Needless to say, the NU team also has a large portfolio of papers published in international conferences and peer reviewed journals.
Whom is the M.Tech. (Embedded Systems) program for?
The program is open to engineering graduates of select specializations, MCAs and M.Sc. degree holders from specific specialization (see eligibility criterion for details). In particular, the program is intended for working professionals in relevant areas of hardware/software development and who are sponsored by their employers.
Key benefits to organizations having M.Tech. (Embedded Systems) degree holders
This program gives an opportunity to sponsoring organization to expose their employees to those aspects of ES development that they would not normally be involved in (ref list of courses). This opens the possibility of rapid reallocation of engineers to different functional areas as per the need of the project. Needless to say, this would also create channels for their growth within the organization. The program would also supplement the efforts of in-house training and development divisions of sponsoring organizations which are usually overloaded with the training of fresh engineering graduates to make them productive.
Key benefits to professionals with M.Tech. (Embedded Systems)
M.Tech. (ES) of NU is not just another Master’s degree in technology. The professional undergoing this program will get a 360O exposure to embedded system development process that starts with requirements and ends with a tested, marketable product. It is embedded systems more than any other computing system that developers and test engineers are expected to be aware of techniques to test for and rectify malfunctions and failures arising out of complex hardware and software interactions in real-time. Therefore the program focuses on system design and development, rather than teaching hardware and software courses in separate, water-tight compartments. This is expected to groom the students as embedded system designers and not just embedded software or hardware developers.