Embedded Software

Co-ordinating the smooth operation of complex devices

Embedded software provides the ‘brains’ inside products and devices ranging from washing machines and mobile phones to smart home controllers, implantable medical devices and vehicle engine management systems.

It enables smart gadgets to gather data, make decisions, communicate with each other and provide a seamless connected experience – with the embedded software varying in complexity as much as the devices it is used to control.

A very simple microcontroller in a washing machine, for example, will run the relevant wash, rinse and spin cycles according to which programme is selected and control the user display. More complex embedded software in a car’s black box will read the information about driving style coming from the accelerometer and gyroscope and interface with a mobile sim card to send that data via the internet to an insurer’s servers.

In a smartphone, sophisticated embedded software manages everything from the operating system to the user interface – and handling power optimisation to maximise battery life. In industrial settings, it enables precise monitoring and control of equipment to improve efficiency.

Real-world challenges

Innovative early detection for underground electrical safety

When underground electrical wires are damaged – causing sparks that ignite surrounding gases – the result can be exploding service manholes.

That’s why a client wanted a system to detect and transmit early warnings about problems at sites before they reached a critical state – so that preventative action could be taken.

Power consumption was the key challenge in the design of the microcontroller – to minimise the disruption involved in changing batteries in such hard-to-reach locations. The embedded software was therefore designed to maximise the use of low power modes within the microcontroller to minimise power consumption.

Sensor Monitoring of Manhole Infrastructures
Maritime security enhancement through hybrid tracking technology

Protection of coastal borders is vital to help target smugglers and prevent illegal entry. The challenge from ATLAS Telecom was to deliver an innovative marine tracking solution as part of its next-generation E-Passport programme.

Resilient and secure communications were required, with seamless operation, along with a high level of tamper resistance, power efficiency and a robust marine enclosure for protection under extreme conditions.

The Plextek team developed an advanced military-grade hybrid TETRA-LTE GPS smart tracker device to provide lifesaving features for rescue teams during emergencies. Embedded software on the tracker was developed to ensure fast start-up times, reliable operation and a secure means for over the air updates to the software.

Marine Tracker
Advanced sub-surface radar innovation

When a client needed a ground-penetrating sensor to interpret sub-surface conditions and features from a fast-moving platform, no existing commercial systems were able to meet the required resolution and range within the operating parameters.

A bespoke ground-penetrating radar was required, with specific radio frequency (RF) and processing features to address the niche application. The Plextek team created a bespoke Yocto-based Linux platform, which included a board support package.

Custom embedded software applications were also created to provide a command interface to allow the device to be controlled, configure the field programmable gate array and save the scan data to a network-attached storage drive.

The applications also enabled the system to monitor the key device parameters, such as temperature, and act accordingly – and provided a synchronisation interface to allow for multiple devices to run at the same time, and for the data to line up.

Key skills

Embedded System Design
  • Custom embedded software development

    Developing tailored software to meet specific application requirements.

  • System integration

    Integrating hardware and software components for efficient operation.

  • Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) programming

    Expertise in configuring FPGAs for custom hardware performance.

  • Linux platform customisation

    Using Yocto project tools to create specialised Linux distributions.

  • Low-power operation

    Specialists in low size, weight and power (SWAP) systems, allowing long-term deployment with minimum power,

  • Real-time (including hard-real-time) software

    Using a commercial real-time operating system (RTOS) such as FreeRTOS or a custom-built RTOS.

  • Reliability engineering

    Providing solutions that are ready for production with stable performance in the field.

It is relatively easy to make a prototype device. But turning that into production-ready system with stable code that isn’t going to crash – and isn’t going to have corner cases that mean your device dies in the field after it’s been powered continually for three months – is far more of a specialist skill.

Dr Peter Debenham, Senior Consultant
Dr Peter Debenham

Senior Consultant

Our commitment to producing stable, robust software that performs reliably in demanding environments sets us apart in the industry.

At Plextek, our distinction in embedded software lies in our ability to deliver custom, reliable solutions tailored to specific client needs. Our proficiency in system integration, FPGA programming, real-time operations and customising Linux platforms ensures seamless operation and optimised performance.

  • Ground-penetrating radar
  • Radio frequency features
  • Custom embedded software
  • Real-time data synchronisation
  • Yocto-based Linux platform
  • Board support package
  • Command interface design
  • FPGA configuration
  • Network-attached storage integration
  • Device parameter monitoring
  • Temperature regulation in embedded systems
  • System stability and reliability
  • RTOS
  • Low SWaP
  • Scalable embedded software applications
Contact Plextek

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Projects

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Armour Integrity Monitoring System (AIMS)
Armour Integrity Monitoring System (AIMS)

Innovating a new Armour Integrity Monitoring System (AIMS) for the UK MoD, delivering a low SWaP-C solution that dramatically streamlines logistics and enhances protection through in-field armour integrity checks.

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Developing Automated Manufacturing Systems
Developing Automated Manufacturing Systems

Delivering a pioneering predictive maintenance solution for a global healthcare product company, utilising miniature battery-powered sensor systems to optimise automated production lines and significantly reduce costly downtimes.

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Revolutionising Car Infotainment
Ax1 – Revolutionising Car Infotainment

Developing the Clarion AX1, a revolutionary car infotainment system that uses Android OS to offer enhanced connectivity, streaming, and a touchscreen interface, redefining the in-car experience.

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Telehealth Innovation – Connecting Patients to their Carers
Telehealth Innovation – Connecting Patients to their Carers

Revolutionising telehealth with the MonitorMe phone, seamlessly connecting patients to healthcare providers for vital signs monitoring.

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Cost-Effective Technology Development
Cost-Effective Technology Development

Delivering reliable and affordable medical diagnostics through innovative, cost-effective technology development for early fertility screening.

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Vehicle asset management system
Vehicle Asset Management System

Designing a vehicle asset management system with custom-designed, multi-band cell and GPS antenna architecture, tightly integrated onto a PCB to meet stringent performance standards for the automotive insurance market.

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Marine Tracker
Marine Tracker

The team designed an advanced military-grade hybrid TETRA GPS smart tracker for ATLAS Telecom’s E-Passport programme, enhancing coastal security through cutting-edge surveillance and autonomous threat notification.

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Sensor monitoring of manhole infrastructures
Sensor Monitoring of Manhole Infrastructures

We designed and deployed an advanced sensor array system to monitor and mitigate risks in manhole infrastructures, enhancing urban safety and maintenance efficiency.

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Project Cubert desk lamp dimmable LED light and built-In USB charger
Project Cubert

Transforming the initial concept of Cubert into a high-volume, market-ready product, combining touch-dimmable LED lighting with device charging capabilities for a major commercial rollout.

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Related Technical Papers

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an image of our technical paper
An Introduction to Yocto

Yocto is a comprehensive project designed to address the complexity of building custom Linux distributions for embedded systems. Unlike conventional Linux distributions (distros) created for standard PC architectures, Yocto caters to the diverse and often incompatible hardware in the embedded world. By providing a sophisticated build system based on layered scripts called "recipes," Yocto streamlines the process of creating, maintaining, and updating embedded distros. Each package within a distro has its own recipe, maintained by the package developers, ensuring that updates and customizations are manageable and consistent. This structure allows developers to define precise sets of packages for their embedded systems, facilitates updates through package managers, and supports a wide range of hardware platforms. With support from major chip and board manufacturers, Yocto is becoming the go-to toolset for embedded Linux development, offering unparalleled flexibility and control for developers aiming to create finely tuned, market-ready products.

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