Architecting your embedded system

Defining a system architecture is the first step in an embedded product design. It is where the system is partitioned, key components are chosen and the interfaces that govern the rest of the project are written down. Decisions made here determine cost, reliability, flexibility and how much rework the project will see later.

We consider hardware, firmware, power, thermal, manufacturing and test together at this stage.

How we approach it

We start by defining features and performance targets, the system operating environment, cost ceiling and certification needs with you, and by separating the core requirements from preferences.

From these requirements we partition the system into hardware and software components and define how they interact: buses, protocols, timing budgets, fault handling, manufacturability and update paths.

Microcontrollers, memory, sensors, power and communication components are selected against performance, cost and long-term availability.

The output is a set of block diagrams, interface specifications and a development plan that electronics and firmware work can proceed from in parallel.

Why it matters

Time spent on architecture is the cheapest time in the project. It reduces rework, settles long-lead decisions early and gives everything downstream a shared goal.