Introduction:
Most of the PC or Lap Top users today do not know about an embedded PC. An embedded computer system is a dedicated computer, which forms an integral part of a larger machine or system. In comparison with a desktop computer, an embedded computer is normally designed for a single purpose. Any enterprise IT equipment manufacturing corporation or any industrial pc manufacturer may process multiple different tasks in a record period. It spans across timesheets in Excel spreadsheets, MRP software for production planning, stock management, etc.
An embedded PC is used to process a single task, where the user sits inside a kiosk, or office and operates, as the PC is connected directly to the server room. In everyday life, people watch movies, play games on laptops and mobiles, and all other activities. The embedded computer system ensures all entertainment data and firmware are updated automatically from the operator’s central system and relays the required information. Similarly, CCTV cameras are installed at Airports, Railway Stations, Roads etc. All work through an embedded computer system.
THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE EMBEDDED COMPUTER SYSTEMS ARE GIVEN BELOW:
1.Pre-designing of hardware and software for maintainability:
At the manufacturing stage itself, industrial pc manufacturers haveto work on the design of the hardware and software components keeping an eye on the maintainability of the embedded computer system. The finalized design should follow the principles of modularity, readability, testability, and documentation. Modularity is that, each component should have a well-defined interface and functionality, where it is easier to replace, update, or reuse! Readability is the code and the circuit which should be clear and consistent. One should be able to understand, debug, and modify. Testability is about the components being verified and validated by using the right tools and methods, such as simulators, debuggers, and testers.
Documentation means the components should have sufficient and accurate information about their specifications, requirements, and behavior by making maintenance easier! While at the design stage, engineers should not compromise on SOLID, KISS, or DRY software. For sustainability, on the hardware side, manufacturers of industrial pc manufacturers, need to focus on the component selection which are active in production. Regarding the software, can use the current platforms and versions to increase sustainability.
2.Effective Maintenance and Upgradation of embedded computer system.
- Regular updates should be kept
- Need to keep current firmware and security patches
- Remote monitoring and robust diagnostics for proactive issue detection should be implemented
- Designing should be done with modularity for independent component upgrades
- Reliable data backups and comprehensive recovery procedures to be ensured
3. Lifecycle Management of embedded computer systems.
The engineers at industrial pc manufacturers should plan for the system’s entire lifecycle, including component longevity. The testing should be done by conducting thorough regression and field testing for reliability. When it comes to cybersecurity, one should implement a secure boot, strong authentication, and encrypted communication. There is a need to establish feedback loops, adopt agile practices, and iteration based on user input as a regular improvisation.
4. Usage of version control and configuration management:
Version control tools allow the engineers to track and manage the changes in the code and the hardware of the embedded computer system, such as GIT, SVN, or CVS. The configuration tools allow one to define and control the dependence, settings, and parameters of embedded systems like Puppet, Chef, or Ansible. These tools help engineers of industrial pc manufacturers, in avoiding errors, conflicts, and inconsistencies and come in handy to facilitate collaboration, testing, and deployment!
5. Need to adopt agile and iterative methodologies: This is one of the best methods to maintain and upgrade embedded computer systems, is to adopt agile and iterative functions to adapt towards changing requirements, feedback, and technologies. Engineers at the renowned, industrial pc manufacturers, believe that agile and iterative methodologies are approaches that divide the development process into short and frequent cycles, called sprints or iterations. These delivers working and tested increments of the system.
