I am very interested in medical electronics, as I have written about here previously. In particular, I am always keen to learn more about the role of software in facilitating the functionality of devices. I recently encountered a particularly interesting example of the impact that the software can have.
Just before Christmas, I went to a session to donate blood - specifically I donate platelets, which … Read More
Tags: Medical
I have always for medical electronics interesting and I have blogged about it from time to time [here and here, for example]. Part of the reason for my interest stems from an occasional feeling that so much of the electronics around me is ultimately pointless. Many Mentor Embedded customers are making consumer devices, cell phones and other gadgets. Do we really need all of these? Aren’t they really … Read More
Tags: Android, User Interface, Networking, Inflexion UI, Low Power, Linux, Multicore, Medical, Nucleus, RTOS
I love gadgets but I hate cables – they make things so untidy. As a result, anything that can go wireless in our house has – even our light switches are on remote control. I used to think this was just plain silly when we were going through the retrofit until I realized I could turn off the kitchen lights from the comfort of our sofa. I’ve only used this “power” once but I tell you knowing that I can … Read More
Tags: Optimization, Physical Prototype, CFD, Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Quality, EMI shielding, Medical, Design Engineer, Thermal, Electromagnetic Interference
I am very sceptical when I hear the term “graphical interface”. All too often I have been frustrated and irritated by a webpage with flashing, animated GIFs or by a “user friendly” interface on a device that takes for ever performing somersaults and cartwheels instead of letting me get on with the task in hand. Of course, these are examples of badly designed graphical interfaces. I would like to talk … Read More
Tags: User Interface, GUI, Inflexion UI, Medical
There is a lot of buzz about Android at the moment. Indeed, I have written about it here, as has my colleague Scott. A lot of the discussion is around the topic of the new Android-powered smart phones that seem to appear on a daily basis. Just about every handset manufacturer seems to have jumped on the bandwagon. I have no problem with this. Far from it. I really like my Android phone and would encourage … Read More
Tags: Android, Medical, E-Books, Home Entertainment
For some years, there has been discussion about how embedded devices are increasingly becoming connected. WiFi enabled home appliances are one possibility. Everyone has heard about fridges that order the groceries. I love the concept of the Internet enabled toaster, which checks the weather forecast and burns a symbol onto your morning toast to tell you what to expect.
All of this is great, exciting … Read More
I have just been taking a short vacation and, while we were away, we met up with some friends. Their son was very excited to be the owner of the very latest model of iPhone. He was very keen to show us all the cool features and how slick it was to operate. I liked his enthusiasm and I was impressed by the device. But somehow I had two simultaneous trains of thought. First, I concluded that the iPhone … Read More
Tags: Medical, GUI, Inflexion UI, User Interface
It is an interesting question: when do you need the source code in order to reuse some software and when would binary [i.e. a black box] be quite satisfactory? With an embedded operating system the answer is far from obvious. There is even a question as to what source code really is.
If you ask an engineer whether he would like to have the source code for an OS or any other reusable software, the … Read More
Tags: C++, DO-178B, Nucleus, Medical, Avionics, Certification, Source Code, Nucleus Kernel, RTOS
We have a great many customers who are in the business of making medical equipment and instrumentation. Given the enormous increase in the use of electronics in hospitals and medical facilities, this is not too surprising. Our success in this area has come about naturally - the products just fit the needs of these developers. We have not really promoted ourselves in this space or adapted anything to … Read More
Tags: Nucleus Kernel, Medical, Wi-Fi, Wireless
Jim Martens
John Day
J VanDomelen
Michael Ford
Robin Bornoff
Mike Jensen
Tom Fitzpatrick
Patrick Carrier
Mark Laing
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