#embedded software

Over the course of this year I have explained to colleagues and clients who’s roles are not in Cybersecurity what certain phrases or abbreviations mean. After I while I started to drop them into a word document so I could reuse them. Then I decided to make this post so I can easily share the explanations. There are bound to be things missing, please drop a comment if I have missed something and…

Why are tactile feel and smooth operation important for industrial knobs and switches?

Tactile feedback and smooth rotation allow operators to accurately confirm positions without visual attention, improving control reliability in demanding environments. Proper sealing, durable materials, and defined indexing prevent wear, contamination, and mis-operation, ensuring consistent performance and long service life in heavy-duty equipment.

Sometimes, the simplest-looking part in complex equipment can be the most critical. Knobs and switches, for example, tend to be an afterthought… turn, push… what more could they do? A lot, actually. In fact, these small, often overlooked parts can provide big control functions and incorporate more capabilities than you might think.

Millions of rotary switches and knobs They are sold globally every year for heavy-duty commercial and industrial applications, where reliable operation, precise positional setting, and the ability to withstand harsh environments are critical for rugged use.

Reliable operation and dependability out in the field are just two of the core requirements needed for rotary switches and knobs. What good is the knob or switch on a “control panel” if the components fail to “control”? Elma Electronic has spent over six decades focusing on constant improvements to the feel (haptics) and robustness of its switches as well as on the aesthetics, including the finish and the precision fit of its knobs.

Construction is Important to Reliability

Another important consideration is panel and shaft sealing up to IP68 to prevent dust and water ingress into the equipment’s chassis. The option for panel sealing is a standard offering for all of Elma’s rotary switches and encoders. Shaft material should also be of primary concern because the shaft itself is overwhelmingly the point of damaging contact in equipment drops or radial or axial impacts of any kind. Brass as standard material, or stainless steel for added durability in harsh conditions, should always be considered.

In addition to the added robustness provided by brass and stainless, these two premium materials add to the reliability of panel sealing, due to the resultant machine finish on the exterior surface of the shaft, providing a much smoother surface for O-rings to seat against versus machined or tooled aluminum. Lastly, to ensure years of trouble-free electrical performance, all internal contacts are plated with hard gold over a nickel sealing layer.

Functionality Plays a Role

Rugged design elements for switches and knobs are only half the story; switches are available in many competing technologies and knobs are available in many different materials and fixing schemes…all with their advantages and disadvantages. Selecting the correct switch functionality or technology can be confusing, due to some of the common industry vernacular, and knob materials can range from basic plastic to high temperature plastic to different kinds of metals. These elements need to be considered, depending on the application.

Many factors influence the right switch technology, so be sure to ask questions, like the following, before selecting a knob or switch:

What rotational or switching cycle life is needed for the application?

What is the turning force (turning torque) required for the application?

Is the actuator stepped (click/click) or continuous (smooth turning)?

What is the expected indexing angle (space between position) desired for the application?

What are the cost consideration in comparison to your budget?

The following examples highlight some of the non-traditional uses where knobs and switches are helping to provide greater control and functionality in a growing number of rugged applications:

Multi-Mode Selection in Agricultural Applications

An increasingly diverse group of industries are turning to a more sophisticated user interface as digital technologies force the transition from inexpensive components to more sophisticated switches and knobs, and these components are finding their way into traditionally manual, heavy-duty applications.

In the agricultural world, switches and knobs play a critical role in all equipment from planting, harvesting and storage of crops. Because much of the machinery used in commercial agriculture spends its life outdoors, components need to stand up to challenging environmental conditions. Protection against moisture, dust and fine particles is critical to maintaining reliable operation.

In one case, Elma Electronic’s MR50 multi-rotary coded switch is used as the mode selector switch on a grain spreader that needed a switch capable of up to 16 positions with only 1/2” of round space horizontally and 10mm depth behind the panel.

The switch’s front panel meets IP68 panel sealing for ingress protection and operates in temperatures from -45°C to +85°C, ensuring reliable operation across the seasons, wet or dry, hot or cold.

The positive tactile feedback from the MR50 is excellent, even while using heavy-duty gloves; and the standard, low-profile, stainless-steel shaft provides resistance to lateral impacts of all kinds that can occur on a routine basis.

Highest Precision for Performance Aircraft

Air races…fast paced, high flying fun…and at the annual Red Bull Air Race, an official World Championship accredited by the FAI – The World Air Sports Federation, Elma was there, helping pilots cruise through the course!

At the event, pilots navigated their extremely light and maneuverable racing aircraft at a speed of up to 370 km/h (300 mph). This demanding, and extremely safety-critical, environment requires all on-board equipment to include the most reliable and haptic-rich switches available, as pilots do not always look at their controls, but rather turn and count the clicks to know where they are setting the switch, a practice commonly used in public safety radios, as well.

Elma’s robust, mechanical encoder type E33, as well as our space-saving, dual concentric encoder type E37, are staples in the innovative, high-performance aircraft navigation systems developed by LXNAV, and used in a competition aircraft.

Modern digital products depend heavily on embedded software to deliver intelligent functionality, real-time responsiveness, and seamless user experiences. From consumer electronics and industrial automation to healthcare devices and automotive systems, embedded software development plays a critical role in powering connected technologies and enabling digital transformation across industries.

As organizations continue to build smarter and more efficient products, embedded software has become the foundation for innovation, scalability, and long-term product performance.

Understanding Embedded Software Development

Embedded software is designed to operate within hardware systems and control specific device functions. Unlike traditional software applications, embedded systems are optimized for performance, efficiency, reliability, and real-time operation.

Embedded software is commonly used in:

IoT devices

Automotive electronics

Medical equipment

Industrial control systems

Smart consumer products

Telecommunications devices

Aerospace and defense systems

These systems require software that can operate efficiently with limited memory, processing power, and energy consumption while maintaining stable and reliable performance.

Why Embedded Software Is Essential for Digital Innovation

As digital technologies continue to evolve, businesses are increasingly relying on embedded software to create intelligent products that improve operational efficiency and customer experiences.

Enabling Smart Connected Devices

Embedded software allows devices to collect, process, and exchange data in real time. This capability is essential for connected ecosystems such as IoT platforms, smart homes, wearable devices, and industrial automation systems.

With advanced embedded software development, organizations can build products that deliver improved automation, remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and intelligent decision-making.

Supporting Real-Time Performance

Many industries rely on systems that require immediate responses and continuous operation. Embedded software enables real-time functionality that is critical for applications such as automotive safety systems, robotics, and healthcare monitoring devices.

Reliable real-time performance helps organizations improve safety, efficiency, and system accuracy.

Improving Product Efficiency and Reliability

Well-designed embedded software helps optimize hardware resources, reduce power consumption, and improve overall device performance. This allows businesses to develop products that are more stable, energy-efficient, and capable of handling complex operational requirements.

Efficient embedded systems also help reduce maintenance costs and improve product lifespan.

Key Components of Embedded Software Development

Successful embedded software engineering involves multiple stages that ensure product quality, stability, and scalability.

System Architecture Design

The development process begins with defining hardware-software interactions, communication protocols, memory usage, and performance requirements. A strong architecture provides the foundation for reliable system functionality.

Firmware Development

Firmware acts as the interface between hardware components and software applications. It enables devices to perform essential functions while maintaining system control and stability.

Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

Many embedded applications require RTOS integration to support multitasking, fast processing, and predictable execution times. RTOS-based systems are commonly used in industrial, automotive, and medical applications.

Testing and Validation

Extensive testing is necessary to ensure embedded systems operate reliably under different conditions. Functional testing, performance validation, security checks, and hardware compatibility testing help identify potential issues before deployment.

The Growing Importance of Embedded Software in Modern Industries

Embedded software development is becoming increasingly important as industries adopt automation, artificial intelligence, and connected technologies.

Automotive Industry

Modern vehicles rely heavily on embedded systems for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, navigation, battery management, and safety features.

Healthcare and Medical Devices

Embedded software supports medical monitoring systems, diagnostic equipment, wearable health devices, and remote patient care technologies that require high reliability and accuracy.

Industrial Automation

Manufacturing and industrial sectors use embedded systems for machine control, robotics, predictive maintenance, and operational monitoring to improve productivity and efficiency.

Consumer Electronics

Smartphones, smart appliances, wearable devices, and entertainment systems all depend on embedded software for intelligent functionality and seamless user experiences.

Challenges in Embedded Software Development

Although embedded systems offer significant advantages, development can be complex due to hardware limitations, security concerns, and integration requirements.

Common challenges include:

Managing limited hardware resources

Ensuring real-time responsiveness

Maintaining cybersecurity and data protection

Supporting hardware compatibility

Reducing power consumption

Handling complex system integrations

Organizations often require experienced engineering teams to manage these technical challenges effectively.

Companies like Fidus support businesses with advanced embedded software engineering solutions that help accelerate product innovation, improve system reliability, and streamline development processes for complex electronic applications.

Future Trends in Embedded Software Development

The future of embedded software is closely connected to emerging technologies such as AI, edge computing, 5G connectivity, and intelligent automation.

Some key trends shaping the industry include:

AI-powered embedded systems

Edge computing integration

Increased IoT adoption

Enhanced cybersecurity frameworks

Energy-efficient device development

Autonomous systems and robotics

As technology continues to evolve, embedded software will remain central to building scalable, connected, and intelligent digital products.

Conclusion

Embedded software development has become a driving force behind modern digital innovation. From enabling real-time system performance to supporting intelligent connected devices, embedded systems are transforming how businesses design, develop, and operate advanced technologies.

The IC-INT-VPX3l is a 3U VPX Single Board Computer based on the Intel® Xeon® W (code name Tiger Lake-H) processor and designed in alignment with the SOSA™ Technical Standard. This high-processing module is ideally suited for mil-aero applications and edge applications such as Mission Computer, Radar and Sonar HPEC.