Embedded Systems Development

Astrosoft has been specializing in system applications and low-level software development since 1998, and, at the moment, considerable part of our project portfolio belongs to this area. Development of embedded systems, system applications and low-level solutions requires special additional skills of software engineers: understanding of hardware design and operations, capabilities to find the right solution taking into account different types of equipment limitations (performance, memory size, etc.), dexterity to quickly understand shades of specific hardware and usage of automated testing process to gain guaranteed stability of software.

The key areas of AstroSoft's activity in system applications software and embedded systems development are:

  • Compilers
  • Automotive Embedded Software
  • Audio/Video Processing
  • Industrial Automation
  • Software for POS Terminals

Tailor Made and Professional
AstroSoft is a leading IT service provider with the main focus on Development and Manufacturing of Industrial Embedded Software and Software for Business Applications for a wide range of industries. AstroSoft provides a lot of technologies and methods to support its clients with strong competences. Implemented solutions are supported from excellent engineers at Astrosoft who generate the "Best of Software" in embedded Systems.

Video & Audio Processing
In audio/video processing AstroSoft provides efficient compressing and processing algorithms for audio and video flows. These algorithms can be successfully implemented in video surveillance, media oriented systems, video and audio flows translations within bounded networks mobile technologies, different smart solutions, as well as in logics enhancing solutions based on video and audio processes. To name a few, there are:

  • Intellectual recognition systems,
  • Event processing and associating related actions,
  • Porting the existing implementation of audio/video processing software,
  • Optimization of audio/video processing tools,
  • Implementation of audio/video processing software from scratch,
  • Enhahcig standard algorithms and inventing new ones.

AstroSoft has deep experience in porting software for different target platforms, investigation as well as finding the most appropriate solution for the customer needs and corresponding means for testing. It is required to integrate software into new environment and effectively use available resources of the target environment. AstroSoft’s experience in the development of software for embedded systems and deep knowledge of optimization techniques help our company to provide customer with effective solution in each case.

Optimization of the audio/video processing tools
One of the main requirements for the audio/video codecs, pre- and post-processing algorithms, and other media processing software is the performance requirement. To be competitive on the market, it is required to provide better speed of processing: better quality, larger resolution, support of more streams processed at the same time, etc. Some optimizations are concerned mathematical algorithms optimizations, others relate to the specifics of the hardware platform (CPU instruction set, specifics of cache usage, etc.) Result code size of software is also an important element in embedded systems (it determines the final price of target device), and code size-oriented optimizations are required.

Implementation of the audio/video processing software from scratch. Sometimes, it is not possible to adopt existing implementation of the required standard software by the legal reasons, or it is not optimal due to low quality of the existing implementations or principal incompatibility with the target platform. In some cases, there are no existing implementations available, especially for new standards and protocols.

The appropriate decision in such situations is developing the required software from scratch. In comparison with porting and optimization of existing implementation, this approach typically requires more efforts and longer time period, but it provides possibility to consider all platform specific features at the design time and better control of architecture in the future. Astrosoft has a solid experience of implementing low-level software from scratch.
Enhancing standard and invention of new algorithms. In some cases, it is not possible to satisfy all requirements for the audio/video processing software using existing algorithms and standards. It is often required to add some specific features, remove unnecessary items, or even to invent principally new algorithms having no existing standards or implementations.

AstroSoft has successfully implemented several projects providing design and implementation of the algorithms and standards best suited for the developed systems needs. AstroSoft has experience in inventing new patent-clear algorithms as well.

Image Processing
Astrosoft has wide experience in image processing, image enhancement and image recognition. The development center dedicated to R&D outsourcing in this area was established in Kursk on the base of computer technologies department of Kursk State Technical University. Computer technologies department has core expertise in image processing, enhancement and recognition since 1970s. Over 10 R&D projects in the field of image processing have been completed since 2004, 10 patents have been created. In 2004-2005, our developments won 3d prizes in Display Idea Contests conducted by Samsung Electronics.

Currently Astrosoft perform research in the following areas:

Optimization of image processing methods using parallel data processing. Image processing and pattern recognition methods incorporated into real-time image processing systems must satisfy stringent requirements related to their performance. Software optimization is used to improve image processing systems performance, which makes them competitive on the market. Optimization relates to specific features of modern x86 family processors (data alignment, loops unrolling, data dependences removal, better cache and memory usage) and to parallel data processing using SIMD technologies (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3) and multi-threading processing aimed to increase performance on processors with Intel Hyper Threading technology and on multi-core processors.

Development of novel image processing tools for photo image enhancement. Nowadays digital tools of image recording are actively used in different spheres. Image processing methods provide photo image enhancement, which leads to improvement of device quality and it’s functions.

Development of methods and tools for digital image processing and analysis. Machine vision systems implementing visual scanning function are now actively used to solve wide range of problems in different sectors of the national economy, industry and science. Optoelectronic devices offer such advantages as remote monitoring capability, high-speed processing, multi-parameter analysis capability, high accuracy and stability of observations. Digital image processing and analyzing methods and tools are integral part of optoelectronic devices, which determines their operational functionality and qualitative characteristics.

Development of distortion compensation methods. The most important qualitative characteristic of optoelectronic devices is the accuracy of image acquisition. Due to optical block aberration image acquisition is accompanied by geometrical form distortion of objects, brightness inaccuracy, etc. Methods of distortion compensation provide image correction and functionality enhancement of optoelectronic devices.

Development of noninvasive methods of disease diagnostics. Noninvasive methods in combination with pattern recognition methods provide screening diagnostics of large number of patients within a short period of time, and require low-cost equipment.

Drivers & Firmware
AstroSoft develops drivers and firmware for various hardware devices, to optimize their functionality and performance. Firmware is used wherever applicable microprocessors are: in mobile phones, cameras, measuring instruments, TVs, payment cards, etc. Firmware and drivers can be created from scratch (for example, when developing a new type of device) or on the basis of ready-made operating systems (including open source ones).

AstroSoft pays great attention to the legal aspect of the development and usage of drivers and firmware created by third parties. We are working with device manufacturers and software vendors, as well as develop drivers and firmware for such rare models which industrial production has been terminated, but customers prefer to use them.

Compilers (Computer Language Tools Development & Optimization)
Nowadays the embedded devices market is growing in an extremely dynamic way. From the other hand, compiler development is said to be one of the most resource-intensive tasks within computer sciences. And this often leads to delays in market distribution for every new processor.
AstroSoft provides software development services for overseas customers in different technological and business areas. Development of different language tools is one of the key areas of expertise since 1998. Our Universal Compiler C/C++ is a really appealing product, because it has both relatively low price an extremely quick speed of reconfiguration for a new target device architecture. Prototype developing process takes only one person-month. And during 6 person-months the compiler may be finished completely. AstroSoft proposes the following services related to language tools development:
C/C++ Compiler Development
Each processor vendor needs creating development tools for new processors. Speed and quality of such tools often determine competitiveness of new processor. AstroSoft has finished C/C++ optimizing compiler that could be easily oriented to new hardware platform (a simple prototype in 2 week - 1 month, fully functional prototype in 2 month).
Non-typical Computer Language Tools Development
Different systems require own custom script languages; processors developers need SDK for processors. AstroSoft Development provides computer language interpreters/compilers/translators/assemblers and full SDK’s development
Compiler Related Software Porting
AstroSoft has a solid experience in porting different software from one platform to another, specializing in compiler scope.
Optimization of Customer Projects
Execution speed and code size of software are extremely important in embedded systems. These factors determine the final price of target device. AstroSoft have large experience both in compiler optimization techniques and in low level optimizations for different target platforms to provide optimization services for customer solutions.

Industrial Automation
Development of industrial automation software is one of the most rapidly developing areas of expertise. Here, AstroSoft proposes the following services:

  • Designing and developing automated measurements and process control systems,
  • Providing infrastructure for effective industrial automation solutions,
  • Hardware investigation and implementations of research & development tools,
  • CAN/CAN-Open/CAN-Kingdom/J1939/DeviceNet industrial standards.

Software for POS Terminals

  • Biometrics for POS Terminals
  • Security, encryption and alarm systems for POS
  • Terminal application development for banks and payment systems
  • Adaptation of existing terminal applications for payment system (host) requirements
  • Auxiliary application programming for ready terminal applications
  • Working with PIN pads, MICR devices, KSM devices
  • OPOS (OLE for POS) based applications development
  • Porting 16-bit applications to the modern 32-bit operating system
  • EMV (Europay/Mastercard/Visa) core development for terminals with follow-up certification
  • Developing emulators for EMV core testing (Lower Tester - the smart-card part, Upper Tester - the terminal application part)

Automotive Embedded Software
Astrosoft provides solutions for automotive industry which help to integrate different systems without hardware expansion. Our solutions are directed to the data-transfer in the car's net, to interaction between media-oriented and low-level car systems. In this area we provide our customers with different types of solutions:

  •    CAN-MOST gateway
  •    Navigation
  •    Media Systems
  •    Development tools for HW
  •    Software engineering

For more information about our expertise and services in the area of embedded systems development, please contact us via e-mail contactus@astrosoft-development.com

Tags: services, embedded systems, embedded applications