Embedded system engineering magazine 2006.07,08

in both existing and new services.

These new revenue sources that validate the financial viability of an M2M project may come in a multitude of forms and are very much dependant on a company’s area of activity: Remote Maintenance/Monitoring (Industry, eHealth), Remote Alarming (Security, eHealth), Automatic Data Reading (Telemetry, AMR).

However, in some markets, stock management may become more visible and may subsequently create hurdles for adoption by the enduser worried about taxes or regulation concerns. Privacy protection and staff reduction may also be a barrier to acceptance.

On the other hand, M2M services often have a positive “green” side effect, since reducing the number of field visits contributes directly to a reduction in pollution.

Network choice

On the network side, the telecommunication operators’ coverage areas must encompass the locations targeted by the project. For international coverage, VNO (Virtual Network Operator) services ease the search for reliable and affordable network access.

The expansion of traditional cellular communication networks like GSM and CDMA and their

redundancy, and high availability drive the choice of network. The possibility to wake-up or to call the devices also impacts this selection and may lead to subscription to optional network services (fixed or public IP addresses) or to the use of an intermediary component hosted on the Internet called “Middleware”.

Security

When financial or personal data is being transferred, security is guaranteed through encryption at the application layer and/or by using secure standard Internet protocols (SSL, IPSec). A private communication network set-up by the carrier also provides good level of security whilst offloading the encryption burden from the M2M modules.

Piracy and hacking in M2M solutions is not usually a big concern since M2M modules are distinctly less permissive than PC operating systems, which are designed to support a large number of applications.

Components Selection

An analysis of technical requirements and technical competence will govern the choice of components of an M2M connectivity solution from the modules to be installed in the equipment to

tive but should be compared to the creation of a new hardware design.

The M2M middleware, in charge of managing connections between M2M modules and a back-office server, must include advanced services for easy troubleshooting of the remote devices (remote control, failure detection) and for extending the lifetime of the whole M2M fleet (remote configuration, firmware updates).

The storage capacity of the Back-Office server, in charge of pushing the M2M data into the corporate information system, must be volumeadaptable and must provide safeguards and backup solutions. With hardware investment, ramping-up evolution should be anticipated to ensure quality of service without a substantial increase in related costs.

Budget Forecast

Finally, the cost budget will be based on hardware investment (M2M modules, Middleware, Back-office), non-recurring expenses (software and hardware development, components integration, testing), recurring cost (network access, network traffic, middleware service, support, maintenance) and installation costs.<End/>

www.edevice.com

technical conference

The ESS Conference organised by the Institution of Engineering and

Technology is the UK’s largest forum for the embedded

system design community to share technical knowledge and expertise. The

programme will use submitted contributions and invited speaker’s presentations. Sessions will cover all of the key topics in system engineering and embedded software development with presentations

by leading academics, consultants, industry movers and professional tutors. Discounted delegate rates will be available for all IET members.

Full technical tracks, now in the final planning stages, aim to address:-

•multi-core embedded processing

•DSP development

•model-based system design

•dependable software development

•low-power wireless networks

•embedded systems security

A conference programme will be published shortly. Pre-register online to be sure to receive regular updates.

See website for more details:

exhibition update

The exhibition builds on the renewed success of ESS 2005 which saw a dramatic 30% increase in numbers of exhibitors and visitors. ESS’06 is going even further in connecting leading suppliers of semiconductors, boards, modules and development tools with decision-makers from the UK’s leading electronics OEMs and systems houses.

ESS is a national event run on local principles by enabling vendors to participate in a flexible and economical way. Package stands offer all companies, large or small, a means to reach UK customers, without having to allocate large budgets or human resources.

For a minimum investment of £1495,

ESS is an economical event, and offers many times the return. A range of package stands are offered to save your time, effort, resources and budget.

As you can see the exhibition is already an impressive line-up of the world’s leading embedded system, component and development tool suppliers.

Space is selling out fast!

Contact EDA Exhibitions for more information:

ess@edaltd.co.uk

exhibitor list

2001, Advantech, Altera, Avnet Memec, Avnet Silica, Cemgraft, Cyan Technology, Digi, eCosCentric, Elsevier Newnes, ENEA, ESE Magazine, Feabhas, Green Hills Software, Harting, Hero Electronics, Hitex, IAR Systems, Inova Multimedia, IPL, Jactron, Jade Communications, JTAG Technologies, Lantronix, Lauterbach, LDRA, Lexcom, Linkwave Technologies, Logic Technology, Mentor Graphics, MultiTech Systems, National Instruments, Nexcom, Nohau, Perforce Software, Plexus, Phaedrus Systems, Programming Research, Rittal, SDC Systems,

Software Acumen. Synplicity, Warwick Control Technologies, Wind River, XJTAG, Zigbee.

Media Sponsor:

Partner:

Show Sponsor:

Why should I use a distributor to source my embedded operating system? I could use the principals instead.

Most principals, especially Microsoft who we represent, have a very high minimum volume requirement on customers that they will deal with. Unless you meet this, you actually don’t get the option of dealing direct.

Don’t distributors just add to the price without providing anything extra?

Authorised distributors of Embedded Operating Systems not Nick Donaldson only act as suppliers but also add value to these products by providing free first line support, workshops and access to the whole embedded partner ecosystem as well as an invaluable conduit into Microsoft technical and commercial. By leveraging our relationships with industry experts we can significant-

ly reduce your time to market.

Using the modular approach you can create your own ‘image’ of Windows XP – not hard, but it’s useful to have someone around who’s been there before to give you a steer. Our seminars on this are very popular too.

Can’t I just source online or via the catalogue companies?

Embedded operating systems are only available through authorised distributors for 99% of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Through Microsoft’s shared success program an evaluation version of the software can be freely downloaded or a hard copy provided by us. So for your evaluation period of about 120 days there are no upfront costs of development. It is only when you have committed to a Microsoft embedded operating system that we are approached for the software and licenses. We will provide all the support you require to move your product to market engaging along the way in collaborative marketing, case studies and articles in a relevant publication if appropriate.

With Microsoft specifically, we do regularly get customers who ask us why they shouldn’t just buy shrink-wrapped

Microsoft Windows XP from the web – and we recognise it is possible to source more cheaply that way. It’s actually contrary to your license to install this on anything other than a recognised desktop PC. Beyond this, here’s what you don’t get:

•Access to the solutions Microsoft has created for Embedded systems – such as Microsoft Windows XP

Embedded. This is componentised allowing unwanted features to be removed. That way, they don’t use up disk space and memory in your application. They also don’t need to be maintained, and it removes the risk of them being used as a point of attack by the malevolent.

•Support – see above.

•Enhanced licensing terms, that allow you to add a custom boot logo, no need for the Windows splash screen, or for acti-

vation.

•Finally, longer continued availability of the product, eliminating the need to upgrade the software when Microsoft

updates its desktop product line. We’re still able to supply customers with DOS, Windows 3.11, Windows NT Workstation and other early versions of Microsoft products for embedded applications.

By the way, Abacus ESG can supply you with the ‘Classic’ desktop operating system as well. This isn’t componentised, but we can offer it with the other benefits listed above. Other features of XP Professional Embedded include the ability to create multi-lingual platforms, or change the language in the user interface. The embedded license also allows a third party company, such as a systems integrator or subcontract manufacturer, install the operating system on behalf of the license holder. Both of these procedures are prohibited under standard desktop licensing terms.

Isn’t the trend to big conglomerates who are only interested in the high volume and high margin?

In the embedded space, you cannot succeed only by supporting high volume customers – you have to support the whole market. That is why vendors choose to use channels like ourselves to act as intermediaries. The margins that we make are justified by the support that we offer.

Why not build links with the small, specialist companies?

Abacus ESG has taken the lead in doing just that. ESG extends our Microsoft experience, through the expertise of sister companies, such as Trident for displays, and TDC for communications. We also have flourishing relationships with companies such as MPC Data, DSP Design and Intrinsyc. Collectively, we can provide any level of support that the customer requires. That can include taking complete ownership of the design, taking it from concept to finished product, including computing hardware, user interface, communications, operating system,

Recognising the significance of wireless and display technologies, RS Components has carefully selected a new range from market leading suppliers. Customers can now choose from RFID, Narrow Band, AM/FM, ZigBee, Bluetooth, W-LAN, GPRS and GPS wireless modules or TFT panels, LCD graphics and character modules, industrial monitors and fully embedded display solutions. RS Components are part of a larger group - Electrocomponents plc

Information

RS Components

PO Box 99

Corby

NN17 9RS

Tel Orderline 08457 201201 Technical Help 0845 850 9922 web site rswww.com/electronics

Contact details: Primary contact rswww.com/electronics

Specialisms: Wireless and Display Technologies

(see rswww.com/electronics)

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