Embedded systems are information processing systems embedded into products such as cars, telecommunication, or fabrication equipment. Marwedel (computer science, University of Dortmund, Germany) provides material for a first course on embedded systems for third-year students in computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering who have a basic knowledge of computer hardware and software. Chapters cover specifications, SDL, UML, VHDL, embedded system hardware, embedded operating systems and middleware, hardware and software design in implementing embedded systems, and validation.