Cycle Time (time To Market)
- Mechanical aspects drive schedule
  - Electronics hardware usually not the long lead item; So --
       electronics absorbs much of the changes
- Software used to inject new functionality into existing
       products
  - Bypasses lengthy retooling, especially with FLASH PROM
  - "It's just hacking some code..."
- Because applications are often unique, software development may
       wait for hardware to become available -- need for
       simulators/emulators/etc.
Design Challenges:
  - High-fidelity emulators/ simulators for custom hardware
       platforms
  - Rapid redesign for changing form factors
  - Rapid redesign for changing control algorithms