Semiconductor IP News and Trends Blog

Intelligent Embedded Systems elude Definition

Although a boon to semiconductor sensor, analog and RF-wireless IP providers, few practitioners seem able to clearly define intelligent embedded systems.

The term “intelligent embedded systems” is popping up more often in blogs, public relations announcements – especially from Intel, and in trade journals. But what exactly does the term mean?

The key descriptor seems to be the interconnectivity of the system. A recent IDC report defines a traditional embedded system as a fixed function, isolated system. Conversely, an intelligent embedded system is distinguished by its high performance, highly programmable microprocessors, internet connectivity, and high-level operating systems, among other things.

In the introduction to her Intel Press book, Satwant Kaur defines intelligent (embedded) systems by describing over 101 related implementation scenarios. There scenarios are meant to demonstrate the technology utopia possible by, “the marriage of the two – embedded and intelligent systems.”

At first glance – and even second more puzzled stare – it appears as if the phrase “intelligent embedded systems” is more of a marketing term than a useful description of the next evolution of embedded systems.

Whatever you want to call it, today and tomorrows embedded systems are growing at a staggering rate. IDC estimates that intelligent systems revenue will increase by near $700 Billion over the next three years (see figure). It is interesting to note that IDC doesn’t include PCs or mobile phones in this forecast for intelligent systems.

One thing that I’ve learned about intelligent embedded systems is that they include a lot of sensor, analog and RF-wireless subsystems. This is great news for the semiconductor IP community, as these subsystems should represent a large boost in analog and RF-wireless IP usage and revenue.

Reference stories:

• Qualcomm Recognizes Importance of Gesture IP
• Wireless IP Grows in Surprising Ways