Toyota's Embedded Software Image Problem

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Firmware Update - March 23, 2010

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In this issue:

-- Toyota's Embedded Software Image Problem

-- EmbeddedGurus: Experts on Embedded Software

-- Master Firmware at Embedded Software Boot Camp

-- Cryptography Jobs for Firmware Engineers

-- VDC Research's Annual Developer Survey

-- In Case You Missed It

Firmware Update is a free newsletter by embedded software expert Michael Barr. It is Copyright 2010 by Netrino, LLC, but may be reprinted for non-commercial purposes. Please forward it to colleagues who may benefit from the information.

Toyota's Embedded Software Image Problem

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It remains unclear whether Toyota's higher-than-industry-average number of complaints regarding sudden unintended acceleration is caused (in whole or in part) by an embedded software problem. But whether it is or it isn't actually firmware, the company has clearly denied it and yet still developed an embedded software "image problem".

They've brought some of this on themselves. And they're making matters worse by saying that their inability to reproduce certain misbehaviors proves that the problem isn't in software.

Get the full story...

EmbeddedGurus: Experts on Embedded Software

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Embedded Gurus.net is an online community dedicated to improving the quality and reliability of embedded software. Each of our six bloggers is an expert in a different area of embedded software architecture or process. Collectively, we blog on subjects including efficient C coding practices, making embedded C++ work, bug-reducing coding standard rules, device driver development, FPGA design best practices, embedded Linux, real-time programming, event-driven systems, and user interface design.

Last month we relaunched the site with a new look and better navigation between blogs. Major improvements include a feed-driven home page, which shows the most recent posts from all of our bloggers, the ability to search the blogs, and to easily browse using tag clouds and subject categories.

Check out our new look...

Master Firmware at Embedded Software Boot Camp

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Just two public sessions of the Embedded Software Boot Camp remain this Spring. These will be April 12-16 in Columbia, Maryland and May 3-7 in Chicago, Illinois. There won't be any more until Fall.

Three people who attend a Boot Camp this Spring will win an Apple iPad. Everyone who attends will be a better firmware engineer by the end of the week...guaranteed.

Cryptography Jobs for Firmware Engineers

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Cryptogr aphy Research is looking for Senior Embedded Software Engineers to join a world class technology team in its San Francisco office. You will work closely with hardware, verification, and security engineers to design, develop, evaluate, debug, and implement software for a variety of security-related products and systems. Specific experience in cryptography or security is not required; however, an interest in learning about these areas and the ability to do so is essential.

Read the full job description...

VDC Research's Annual Developer Survey

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VDC Research is conducting its annual survey of embedded system designers. If you are involved in the engineering of mobile or embedded systems/software, this is your chance to influence vendor road maps. The research covers embedded software, hardware, tools, and development practices.

VDC will provide everyone who completes the survey instant access to a summary of last year's findings and eventual access to a summary of the 2010 data. You'll also be entered into a prize drawing for one of five $100 Amazon gift certificates.

Take the survey...