Embedded systems hot in China

 BEIJING, CHINA: CCID Consulting recently released its article on China's embedded systems and design market.

Across microelectronic, information, software, as well as hardware technologies, embedded system has been a hot field at present. Driven by the recovery of global semiconductor market, the rapid growth of consumer electronic, communications, and other applications, as well as technology innovation of embedded microprocessors, the global embedded system industry maintains stable growth. In 2007, the market scale reached $408.16 billion, up 17.5 percent over 2006. The scale of China's embedded system market also reached 221.81 billion Yuan in 2007, up 32.3 percent over 2006.

The development of embedded computing technologies is changing our daily lives. Used almost everywhere in a wide range of products, such as mobile phones, cameras, medical instruments, automobiles, industrial control equipment, aerospace equipment, etc., embedded systems realize the integration of AI technologies and super computing technologies which almost make it invincible.

In fact, in the near future, embedded devices will be used in chairs, tables, dishware, curtain, and other daily necessities. In China, the development of information systems and improvements in living standards bring huge market demand to embedded systems. For example, sales volume of information home appliances is likely to reach several hundred millions each year.

Five major five embedded system applications

Embedded system applications cover aerospace, transportation, network, electronics, communications, finance, intelligent appliance, smart building, instrument, industrial control, NC machine tool, PDA, IC card, and so on. Five major areas of embedded system applications that are worth special attention are listed here.

1. Home information network: There is a trend for home appliances to become highly digitalized and connected to network. TVs, microwave ovens, and other home appliances will have embedded processors to be connected to the Internet through home gateways to form a home information network. Embedded systems are necessary parts for both smart digital terminals and various digital converged products. That is, embedded system is the technical foundation for home information network and IT convergence products.

2. Mobile computing device: Mobile phones, PDAs, and pocket PCs are currently the most common mobile computing devices. China has the largest mobile phone subscriber population in the world. The number of PDAs and pocket PCs will continue to grow rapidly in China due to features such as easy to use, portability, and cheap price.

3. Network device: With the development of NGI, more and more powerful network device equipped with embedded systems will come into being, which will bring new opportunities for embedded network devices and products. WLAN devices with embedded systems will be deployed to residence and commercial buildings.

4. Automation, measuring and controlling instruments: New measuring and controlling instruments are all equipped with embedded systems. Embedded systems are also widely used in industrial control and simulation fields. Intellectualized and digitalized transformation of China's industrial production will bring great opportunities for intelligent control equipments, intelligent instruments, and automatic control equipment, as well as embedded systems.

5. Electronic devices in transportation systems: Automobile intelligent steer devices, automobile driving simulators, steamship intelligent steer devices, and other transportation electronic devices are having product replacements and updates. The rapid growth of China's automobile industry will bring opportunities to automobile electronic devices. Hence, embedded systems in traffic direction systems, expressway tolling monitor systems, automobile self-navigation devices, vehicle GPS terminals, electronic police systems, are expected to do well in the near future.

From "Made in China" to "Created in China"
China's industrial capabilities are large, but not strong. Facing rigorous pressure from resource and environment protection, scientific development is an inevitable choice for China. Innovation in product development has been the common choice for China's enterprises to change unfavorable situation in international competition.

Strengthening R&D in embedded system would be the best strategy in the transition for China products from "Made in China" to "Created in China".

Firstly, embedded systems are widely used, which leaves considerable space for the development of high-tech SMEs. Secondly, the application of embedded systems requires constant upgrade in technology in order to match with the embedded device, which drives the need for technology innovation. Domestic embedded system companies should make full use of the advantage in resources in order to occupy a leading position in China's embedded application development fields.