Hardware and embedded software are different parts of the same device behaviour. Considering component selection, connections, timing and software flow together provides a clearer basis for design decisions.
The information produced by the hardware, the way software processes it and the responses the device provides are defined together. Power, memory and processing time also form part of this assessment.
During prototyping, components are observed both individually and in combination. Scenarios such as startup, reconnection, unexpected input and recovery after interruption are selected according to the system’s intended operating conditions.
Recording design decisions and test findings helps changes to hardware and software remain traceable together. When a component changes, its effects on the other parts of the system can be reassessed.