Embedded Software Development for TI Calculators

The client requested to keep the project information confidential. With permission, this case study shall describe the basic software outsourcing procedure for the pilot project only.

The embedded software development pilot project was outsourced to RayooTech by an IT company located in America. This company (our client) specializes in educational software developments. An investor requested the client to create embedded software that would aid high school students in studying for college entrance exams. The client was in critical stage to deploy one of their main educational software, so the project was outsourced to China.

Preliminary Analysis, Specification, Requirement, and Design
The real objective and purpose was undetermined during the beginning stage of the embedded software development project. RayooTech researched various college examinations and high school environments and discovered that TI graphing calculators are widely used by middle and high school students. TI graphing calculators are powerful calculators which support assembly and BASIC programming. RayooTech suggested using Taxes Instruments calculators as embedded system for this project.

The client and RayooTech agreed on using agile software development methodology for this project. The following specifications were decided for the first stage of the embedded software development.

Exam Type: SAT I
Exam Subject: Math

The embedded software was designed to be simple. Sample SAT questions were added to the embedded software. Students should be able to answer these sample questions. If the student answers correctly, the student can proceed to the next round of questions. If the student did not pass, sample solution and analysis are provided to the students. The sample solution was programmed to utilize the full feature of the graphing calculator and would teach the student how to solve the problem step by step.

Development, Testing, and Implementation
It took two weeks to complete the actually development, testing, and implementation of the pilot project. During the step, embedded software developers had to overcome the following challenges.
+ Learn to use features from the graphing calculators
+ Optimize embedded software to limit using too much calculator resources
+ Compatibility issues with TI 83 models
+ Making the program interactive, so it’ll attract students’ attention

Documentation and Aftermath
RayooTech embedded software development team created reports including test result and enhancement advices. The client was extremely impressed by these documentations and suggestions. RayooTech and the client renewed the embedded software development contract.

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