Computers as Components, 2nd Edition

Foreword to The First Edition

Digital system design has entered a new era. At a time when the design of

microprocessors has shifted into a classical optimization exercise, the design of

embedded computing systems in which microprocessors are merely components

has become a wide-open frontier. Wireless systems, wearable systems, networked

systems,smart appliances,industrial process systems,advanced automotive systems,

and biologically interfaced systems provide a few examples from across this new

frontier.

Driven by advances in sensors, transducers, microelectronics, processor per-

formance, operating systems, communications technology, user interfaces, and

packaging technology on the one hand, and by a deeper understanding of human

needs and market