Introduction

Abstract

The complexity of embedded hardware/software systems increases every year. For example, the currently implemented embedded systems in cars consist of 10 to 100 million transistors per chip, 1 to 10 million lines of code, and 10 to 100 microcontrollers (μCs) per car. Especially the automotive industry requires high-end μCs for Electronic Control Units (ECUs) to fulfil the government’s requirements on emissions reduction as well as the customers’ demands for comfort, safety and reliability. Today, most failures in cars are caused by electronic components and not by mechanical ones anymore [Jac03]. In addition, the cycle times for new products last only a few years in the automotive industry and just several months in the communications industry.