Efficient techniques and methodologies for embedded system design usign free hardware and open standards

In an embedded system hardware design process, there are three main factors that have a great impact on quality, cost and development time of the final design. These factors are the availability of a library of well proven building blocks (also known as IP cores); computer tools for the design, implementation and verification of the system, and finally, the adoption of efficient methodologies well suited to the design environment and to the available set of cores and tools.