Embedded Systems Dictionary (Paperback)

~ Jack Ganssle (Author), Michael Barr (Author)
Key Phrases: various related languages, extended state variables, several related languages, Data Section, Intel Hex, Mars Pathfinder (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a valuable desktop reference to the confusing plethora of terms...[it] will find a place on my desktop!" -- Bruce Powel Douglass, Ph.D., chief evangelist, I-Logix

"...an incredible piece of work...Definitions are very clearly described and some are even accompanied by practical examples." -- Jean Labrosse, author, MicroC/OS-II

"...covers the territory and then some--software, hardware, organizations, people, standards--in a manner that's sometimes irreverent but never irrelevant." -- Benjamin M. Brosgol, sr. technical staff member, Ada Core Technologies

"A must for hardware engineers, software engineers, and students alike. The definitions give not just meaning, but relevant background information." -- John Catsoulis, author, Designing Embedded Hardware

"An indispensable guide for anyone who needs to understand the terminology and buzzwords..." -- Stuart Ball, author, Embedded Microprocessor Systems

"This comprehensive reference will quickly become a strategic ally of both engineers and managers." -- Andrew Girson, CEO, InHand Electronics

Product Description

This technical dictionary defines the 2,500 most-used words in the embedded systems field, with over 4,500 entries and cross-references. Designed to serve both the technical and non-technical audience, this book defines advanced terms in two steps. The fi

This dictionary defines the 2,500 most-used words in the embedded systems field, with a general, contextual definition for less technical readers, and an in-depth definition for serious technical readers.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 291.00 pages
• Publisher: CMP Books; 1st edition (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578201209
• ISBN-13: 978-1578201204
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #918,679 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help for the the Newbie, July 11, 2003

By	Arnie Berger (Sammamish, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Very few people are comfortable admiting that they don't understand something. As a teacher, I deal with this all the time. As a former Engineering Manager, I know first-hand that an engineer is usually very reluctant to admit that they don't understand what you are talking about.

As with most engineering disciplines, embedded systems designers have their own language. What we didn't have, until now, was a dictionary for the language. "Embedded Systems Dictionary" is the book that every Embedded Systems Engineer should have at their desk, even if they cover it in a plain brown wrapper.

As with any dictionary, you will not get an extensive discourse on a word or term that is puzzling you. However, you will get a really good starting point so that you can do some extensive research later. In fact, I noticed that a number of the entries also included references as well.

As I read through the book I was really impressed by the completeness of it. I was able to come up with only one term, "n-wire", that wasn't included included.

Finally, two very minor quibbles. I found a few explanations that were as arcane as the concept that they were trying to define ( see "H-infinity filter" ) and a few that were so basic ( "average" ) you have to wonder.

In summary, this is a much-needed text for a technical subject area that has more than its share of jargon. I highly recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch Reference for Engineers and Managers, July 2, 2003

By	"mitchb63" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

A handy source for definitions of the words used by embedded systems designers on the job. Having served my time as an EE/hardware designer, I can confirm the technical depth is accurate. And now that I'm the manager of a team that develops firmware for real-time systems, I'm finding this dictionary helps me communicate better with my engineers.

It's helpful that this one book spans the areas of hardware and software, real-time and embedded, and project management. Since buying it I've been keeping it handy, right on my desk. I'm back on Amazon today ordering copies for the engineers on my team. The book's figures, code listings, equations, etc. should hopefully make their work easier. And we'll finally be able to communicate better about what needs to be done.