Abstract Embedded systems are becoming more and more popular in a wide range of applications such as industrial control systems, avionics, health care, environment, security, mechanics. The development of the hardware and software for these systems require appropriate design, analysis and development tools. The underlying architecture also plays and important role. Special design related challenges come from the specialisation and customisation of target platforms in their use for embedded systems. The challenge is to maintain some degree of edibility to increase the reuse of hardware and software components.