2025-12-04 –, Walnascar
The lifetime of electronic products is not defined solely by hardware; software design has become a decisive factor. Design choices in embedded software, such as build reproducibility, dependency management, update strategy, and security configuration, have a direct impact on product reliability and long-term usability. This talk explores how robust and sustainable software practices can extend component lifetimes and reduce maintenance demands. Using the Yocto Project as a demonstration platform, it presents practical examples of reproducible builds, modular layer structures, and CI/CD integration that support system stability and maintainability. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for long-lived embedded products, including maintainable BSP creation and secure update management, emphasizing that designing for longevity is a shared responsibility between hardware and software engineering.
Designing for longevity means shifting focus from short-term delivery to long-term maintainability. Embedded software, if engineered with reproducibility, modularity, and security in mind, becomes the determining factor in extending the life of electronic components.
The Yocto Project provides both the tools and the structure to implement these practices effectively. Through disciplined layer management, automated validation, and secure update infrastructures, developers can create products that remain functional, maintainable, and secure over many years.
By treating software as a lifecycle driver rather than a disposable component, we contribute not only to technical excellence but also to environmental sustainability and the principles of green electronics.
Lenka is an embedded software developer with a long history in the automotive and avionics industries. She has worked as a software specialist and requirements engineer for STMicroelectronics, Skoda Auto, and Hood GmbH. She teaches and runs several research projects at Technical University in Liberec and at Czech Technical University. Her main research focus is Embedded Linux, Zephyr OS, and other embedded operating systems. She lectures Embedded Linux development courses for the Linux Foundation Education and maintains the content of Yocto trainings at LF. She helped to start the Linux4Space.org project at TUL.