Clarence also points out that electronic circuits (analogue designs) are very tricky, and you should be very observant and patient to avoid damage to the system that you design.
Kumar says that, the industry expects you to have super specialisations within the field, such as Embedded C programming, exploring controller-specific features under Embedded C, RTOS porting and application development, knowledge of special networking protocols, along with sound understanding of fundamentals like eight-bit microprocessors/microcontrollers, electronics hardware (basic, digital, analogue) and PCB designing.
Patel emphasises on the need of a broad approach to education as embedded systems encompass a wide range of applications, technologies and disciplines. He lays stress on the importance of ‘C’ language (as most of embedded work is based on it), small and single-microcontroller applications, control systems, distributed embedded control, system-on-chips, networking, embedded PCs, critical systems, robotics, computer peripherals, wireless data systems, signal processing, and command and control. Additional cross-enterprise skills that are important for embedded system designers include security, dependability, energy-aware computing, system engineering, real-time computing and human-computer interaction.
One should be able to think logically and learn to use real-time operating systems. Some of the advanced topics like VLSI, DSP and robotics need more knowledge of topics like analogue and digital designs, signal analysis and mechanical design, respectively.
The last frontier
It is possible that your awareness about most of the aforementioned terms is from a notional perspective only. The industry, however, needs something extra—the actual in-hand experience. Various private-and public-sector organisations absorb final-year and pre-final-year students in their live projects.
Patel informs, “At eInfochips, we recruit students at fresher level through campus placement wherein they start their eighth-semester industrial training. On an average, hiring happens at the entry level, in ASIC, embedded and software development divisions. As mentioned before, we provide technical and non-technical trainings to make freshers competent enough to work at eInfochips on customer projects either by owning a module or work with senior engineers.”
Similarly, at KPIT Cummins, trainees spend initial 3-6 months on learning the core essentials and then move to roles of software engineer in the areas of electronic design and software development.
On the other hand, industry-academia partnership models like TI’s ‘University Relationship’ and eInfochips’ ‘Impetus’ are good endeavours to make students industry-ready.
Ganesh Guruswamy, vice president and country manager, Freescale Semiconductor, opines, “While embedded software companies are leveraging the growing availability of fresh engineering graduates, they must also spend considerable time and resources on training and boosting productivity. Currently, our universities offer limited exposure to real-world situations, and this poses a challenge when we hire fresh graduates. Increased industry participation in talent development will ensure industry-ready talent.”
Become a go-getter
So dig out all possibilities to get a practical exposure. At the same time, keep abreast of the latest technological trends through newspapers, technical magazines, technical seminars and, last but not the least, trade fairs. You can learn about ‘chip to ship’ of an embedded system only after completing a proper project.
The author is a consultant–editorial, industry & academia interface at EFY
very useful article, got lot of information on embedded. Thank you sir.