Teaching embedded software concepts using Android

Abstract

Does smartphone application development provide an opportunity to explore various aspects of embedded software? This question is the primary motivator behind the ideas explored in this paper. We cannot deny the ubiquitous nature of smartphones. Leveraging on this already available "platform" to convey embedded software concepts to Computer Science (CS) students seems an exciting opportunity. Traditionally CS have often shied away from the field of embedded systems owing to their perception of this area as "hardware" oriented, not without reason. We explore the Android platform as a means of advancing embedded software concepts to CS students.