Design patterns – From Architecture to embedded software development

Developing application software for embedded systems presents many challenges as a number of constraints need to be optimized such as strict timings, limited power usage and memory utilization. Also, successful embedded application design are the result of the combined inputs from various related disciplines such as control engineering and scheduling theory. In this regard, recycling design experience can play a substantial role by providing previously tested and proven techniques incorporated into new designs. This paper reports on the evolution of the concept of ‘Design patterns’ originated by analogy from building architectures, and now followed by a wide variety of diverse disciplines. In the field of embedded software development patterns have been found to be a useful adjunct to traditional development processes. Nowadays practitioners in the field of successfully implemented patterns are encouraged to build reliable architectures for the safety-critical applications either from scratch or to transform existing architectures into more predictable forms.