FSDA Company Limited
Distinctive Competence
Market research and technology watch capabilities

We have significant capabilities and skills in market research and technology watch, which have been proven in a number of challenging missions.
We are able to undertake:
v requirements gathering and analysis
v analysis of segmentation
v estimation of market size and characteristics of the target market
v "technology futures" analysis to determine market perceptions and expectations of new technology concepts (e.g. via "delphi analysis")
v technology watch to monitor developments and identify sources of expertise

We have undertaken a number of missions and studies in microelectronics, embedded systems and software, covering various domains of application (e.g. automotive and aerospace technologies, medicine ...)
Here, we offer you access to sample reports which demonstrate our capabilities.

The Contents List (for Report#1) and Section Summaries (for Report#2) can be viewed below, on this page, by clicking on the titles which follow.
Report #1 : published November 1997
The European Automotive and Aerospace Industries:
Issues and Opportunities for Development and Transfer
of Embedded Technology and Applications

Report #2 : published December 2000
Challenges and Requirements
in Complex, Software-intensive, Networked Interfaces
and Dedicated Systems

To request a full copy of any report (these are provided as a courtesy, free of charge)

please write an e-mail to us via the "For Information and Enquiries" link
(you can find this at the bottom of the FSDA home page )
and simply cut & paste into your e-mail, from the list above here, the number and title of the report(s) you would like to receive.

!! Important !! Please remember to include a note of your own e-mail address and contact details !!
We will forward the document to you via e-mail just as soon as possible.

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The European Automotive and Aerospace Industries:
Issues and Opportunities for Development and Transfer
of Embedded Technology and Applications
 published November 1997

 CONTENTS LIST
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE REPORT pg 1
    1.1 Objectives relative to specification of embedded systems requirements pg 2
    1.2 The approach to information gathering pg 3
2. EMBEDDED SYSTEMS AND THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY pg 5
    2.1 Technology and Applications: opportunities, issues and perceived needs pg 7
            2.1.1 Constraints impacting on technological evolution pg 7
            2.1.2 Pollution legislation: rationale for perceived weakness of importance pg 8
            2.1.3 Factors driving the advancement of automotive electronics pg 9
            2.1.4 Scope for synergy with other sectors of industry pg 10
            2.1.5 Application areas with significant scope for evolution of embedded systems pg 12
            2.1.6 Specific example of engine/chassis-related embedded systems opportunity pg 13
            2.1.7 Market demand for new embedded applications pg 14
            2.1.8 Comparison of the evolution of new applications areas pg 15
    2.2 Scope for Accompanying Measures pg 15
            2.2.1 Improving the reliability of devices from European silicon suppliers pg 15
            2.2.2 Reinforcement of the use of standard devices pg 16
            2.2.3 Other factors positively influencing opportunities for new embedded applications pg 16
    2.3 Conclusions and recommendations: automotive industry embedded systems pg 18
3. EMBEDDED SYSTEMS AND THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY pg 19
    3.1 Technology and Applications: opportunities, issues and perceived needs pg 21
            3.1.1 Factors driving the search for synergy with automotive electronics pg 21
            3.1.2 Constraints impacting on the technical evolution of aerospace electronics pg 22
            3.1.3 Factors driving the advancement of aerospace electronics pg 23
            3.1.4 A comparative analysis of cost factors in automotive and aerospace electronics pg 24
            3.1.5 Searching for synergy with other sectors of industry pg 26
            3.1.6 Areas with potential for evolution of embedded systems pg 27
    3.2 Scope for Accompanying Measures pg 29
    3.3 Conclusions and recommendations: aerospace industry embedded systems pg 30
4. SUMMARY AND CONCLUDING REMARKS pg 31
APPENDIX A - GLOSSARY pg 33
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Challenges and Requirements in Complex, Software-intensive,
Networked Interfaces and Dedicated Systems
published December 2000

 IN BRIEF:
 This report provides comments, analysis, and identifies issues & emerging challenges over the 5 year time horizon (2000 - 2005), in 3 subject areas.

Firstly, Process, methods & tools to handle system complexity (Section 1).
A major conclusion here is that, rather than more or "better" tools, education is a much more important key factor, to ensure the adequacy of engineering design of increasingly complex systems.
Complexity here can be taken as synonymous with "intellectual unmanageability".
To successfully cope with increasing complexity requires a high level of skill in abstraction - being able to start from the "big picture" and work down towards implementation.
Today's cadre of engineers are considered to be already lacking in this skill, and the situation is perceived as potentially getting worse in the future.

Secondly, the Adaptive Man-Machine Interface (MMI) (Section 2).
Here, a major conclusion is that although various techniques exist to construct interfaces between the human and the machine, little account has been taken of the behaviour of the user when interfaces have been designed.
Design has typically, to date, proceeded on the basis of technology (e.g. speed, performance), with MMI being considered as an "add-on" after the function design is implemented.
However, rather than a technology-centric approach, it is argued that a user-centric approach to MMI design will yield the benefits expected by all stakeholders - users and product developers alike.

Thirdly, Software-intensive, networked systems (Section 3)
From a technical standpoint, system interconnect - at the lowest possible cost, and with the least necessity for user intervention - is pinpointed as a key factor for the future technological success and market acceptance of products.
Furthermore, education is again identified as a key factor affecting the future success or failure of software-intensive systems.
Too much attention is currently being focussed on implementation, and not enough on the product requirements and specification phases.
This leads to extremely costly delays in getting to a final product which is error-free and market-ready.
A more disciplined approach to the overall design process and flow is recommended.
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