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Big Bad John
What is it with this test mania? I hate taking tests. There is a reason I ...
peter.clarke
ARM is encouraging universities to pick up on the syllabus
ARM to intro engineer certification
Peter Clarke
7/24/2012 4:54 AM EDT
More examinations coming
"The ARM Accredited Engineer certification program we are developing with Prometric will be a key factor in driving the proliferation of engineers with demonstrable skills in the design and development of devices integrating ARM technology," said Paul Elbro, vice president and general manager of ARM Services, in a statement. "ARM Accredited Engineer certification will be an important differentiator for the industry's engineers and engineering students."
ARM said on its website that engineers, engineering employers and students would all find the AAE certification program useful.
Engineers could use it to secure better jobs, promotions and pay-rises while students could use the AAE to help demonstrate their suitability to be employed. For employers the AAE benchmark will provide a consistent way of selecting superior engineers, ARM said. ARM is also expecting universities to sign up as ARM Accredited University Partner by teaching the AAE syllabus and purchasing a number of examination vouchers for their students annually.
However, the AAE certification is only first qualification in the program. It is intended to be an entry-level qualification that focuses on software-related aspects of the ARMv7 architecture with a specific focus on the Cortex-A and Cortex-R cores, processors and software tools. It does not include questions about Cortex-M cores and systems.
According to ARM's website the company plans to roll out a suite of accreditation qualifications covering a range of different domains and specialist areas (see diagram). The accreditation scheme divides into embedded, microcontroller and system-chip tracks and covers more specialized knowledge on graphics, security and Android.
Click on image to enlarge.
ARM certification pathways Source: ARM
Candidates for the entry-level exam are expected to be familiar with the C programming language and have the ability to read and understand ARM assembly language code as well as a good grounding in basic software engineering and development skills. The entry-level syllabus could be downloaded from ARM's website when this article was first posted.
Related links and articles:
www.prometric.com
AAE support page
Download AAE entry-level syllabus
"The ARM Accredited Engineer certification program we are developing with Prometric will be a key factor in driving the proliferation of engineers with demonstrable skills in the design and development of devices integrating ARM technology," said Paul Elbro, vice president and general manager of ARM Services, in a statement. "ARM Accredited Engineer certification will be an important differentiator for the industry's engineers and engineering students."
ARM said on its website that engineers, engineering employers and students would all find the AAE certification program useful.
Engineers could use it to secure better jobs, promotions and pay-rises while students could use the AAE to help demonstrate their suitability to be employed. For employers the AAE benchmark will provide a consistent way of selecting superior engineers, ARM said. ARM is also expecting universities to sign up as ARM Accredited University Partner by teaching the AAE syllabus and purchasing a number of examination vouchers for their students annually.
However, the AAE certification is only first qualification in the program. It is intended to be an entry-level qualification that focuses on software-related aspects of the ARMv7 architecture with a specific focus on the Cortex-A and Cortex-R cores, processors and software tools. It does not include questions about Cortex-M cores and systems.
According to ARM's website the company plans to roll out a suite of accreditation qualifications covering a range of different domains and specialist areas (see diagram). The accreditation scheme divides into embedded, microcontroller and system-chip tracks and covers more specialized knowledge on graphics, security and Android.
Click on image to enlarge.
ARM certification pathways Source: ARM
Candidates for the entry-level exam are expected to be familiar with the C programming language and have the ability to read and understand ARM assembly language code as well as a good grounding in basic software engineering and development skills. The entry-level syllabus could be downloaded from ARM's website when this article was first posted.
Related links and articles:
www.prometric.com
AAE support page
Download AAE entry-level syllabus
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iniewski
7/24/2012 9:46 AM EDT
ARM is getting very creative. This reminds me of Cisco certification program. If executed well in 5-years most embedded system jobs will require ARM certification! Kris
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junko.yoshida
7/24/2012 4:33 PM EDT
Indeed, this is pretty creative. I wonder if any other processor core guys would have ever attempted something like this before....
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AlPothoof
7/24/2012 7:30 PM EDT
This may be the first processor-based certification but I see calls for certification come and go periodically. I have yet to see one which was worth the effort for someone doing embedded software and I expect this one to be no different. Contrary to Kris's assertion, I don't expect it become a requirement; I've never worked with an ARM core and don't expect to in the foreseeable future.
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Sanjib.Acharya
7/24/2012 10:47 PM EDT
Are there any prerequisites before taking the exam, for example certain years of experience in working with ARM based processor hardware/ software? I feel, mandating a year or a couple of years of experience in working with ARM based processor for taking the exam makes practical sense. But, that might create "chicken and egg" situation for the engineers fresh from college.
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peter.clarke
7/25/2012 4:23 AM EDT
As far as I can tell there are no requirements for taking the tests....apart from a working credit card.
Never-employed students can take the tests and are encouraged to do so. But you have to know the stuff to pass the test.
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elctrnx_lyf
7/24/2012 11:45 PM EDT
Ano wonder we will see more such courses and exams from different companies. This could definitely provide huge money to ARM.
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wilber_xbox
7/25/2012 1:02 PM EDT
yeah, and it makes company known to the masses. I doubt whether such certification are really useful. Can't we include professional courses in the university study modules itself.
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peter.clarke
7/31/2012 5:47 AM EDT
ARM is encouraging universities to pick up on the syllabus
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iniewski
7/25/2012 12:15 AM EDT
I dont think money is the issue
Locking young engeers into arm is the goal
Kris
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teddy_zhai
7/25/2012 5:39 AM EDT
Yes, I agree!
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elektryk321
7/25/2012 6:26 AM EDT
I doubt if it is real locking. I have passed some Cisco exams, but over the longer period this was a terrible mistake. They are overpriced and focused only to Cisco features with have very small connection to real problems in the network. I suspect those courses and exams will no make the enginner understand how to design and programm products. They will only teach some templates and thats all. Of course they can teach some specific naming convension or any other things that typical engineer is aware of.
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iniewski
7/25/2012 9:44 AM EDT
I agree elektryk321, I doubt it is real locking too...but I can easily see why ARM would be trying, it is very tempting to corner the market...Cisco used to be dominant networking box maker, but even at its peak they had 10 or so competitors so being certified in Cisco gear had limited value...in microprocessor space there is only ARM, Intel and Mips so the market is more concentrated, it might be easier to pull certification trick...it will be interesting to see what Intel does, I am sure they are watching...Intel certification to follow? Kris
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RalphnKC
7/26/2012 10:11 AM EDT
To say that only those three are in the microprocessor 'space' shows a lack of knowledge of what is shipping out in the real world. All the older 8 and 16 bit cores are still shipping in high volume, and the fpga/asic IP cores are also shipping in high volume. And most are NOT based around Arm and Mips. I designed high volume products for over 20 years before using an ARM part and that was based on the cost benefit, not any architectual superiority. Certification only has meaning IF the person can apply the knowledge used to gain his piece of 'paper' in the real world.
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iniewski
7/26/2012 10:14 AM EDT
Good point @RalphnKC, I only had in mind modern, complex microprocessors...only for those I would think you need certification...Kris
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KRagh
7/25/2012 9:48 AM EDT
Far more neutral but good real test is the WCET conducted by the IEEE to certify wireless engineers. Cisco certification, which is a joke (does not need even a basic degree and is limited to Cisco products), has brought a bad rap to certification. The IEEE certification is conducted worldwide and expects a good background both in RF and EE. It covers both cellular and WiFi but quite well in depth.
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iniewski
7/25/2012 9:51 AM EDT
Good point @KRagh...I think certification should be left to left to IEEE or similar bodies that has no incentives to push certain technologies or products...so we need microprocessor certification program IEEE! Kris
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KRagh
7/25/2012 9:53 AM EDT
For details on the Wireless certification by IEEE, please visit: www.ieee-wcet.org/
In response to comments by elektryk321, I would say many people have fallen pray to Cisco's advertising tactics. Cisco is not a wireless company and does not have the background to conduct wireless certification. One look at the syllabus by IEEE exam will con tests. One look at the IEEE site will convince any engineer what is needed (prep needed is quite extensive) since the exam includes latest topics. Unless one is a praciticing wireless engineer, it is hard to attempt this exam.
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etalaris
7/25/2012 10:09 AM EDT
I think this is a very bad thing for engineers. Now company HRs who have no idea what embedded systems programming is all about will start denying jobs to engineers with 20 years' embedded systems development in favor of a recent grad who studied for the ARM test because they have the piece of paper. Brilliant move by ARM, but a scheme that will ultimately, I suspect, will make us see lower quality code being produced "in the wild".
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peter.clarke
7/26/2012 5:04 AM EDT
Well the good news is engineers are not compelled to take the test.
But if employers and HR people start asking for AAE certification as a pre-condition for certain jobs and work then those that have it will get the work.
But engineers with 20 years experience should be able to schedule a test and pass easily, right?
So then it will be back to a level playing field with the experienced engineers beating out the recent grads that only have the AAE.
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synapse
7/25/2012 4:28 PM EDT
@etalaris...that's so true and I wonder why they came up with this idea. As it's been said on top, certifications should be left to bodies like IEEE not companies...
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hm
7/25/2012 7:58 PM EDT
Very good idea. Will ARM also provide on lectures for these certification free?
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peter.clarke
7/26/2012 5:07 AM EDT
I don't think ARM provides lectures for free but the syllabus document is free
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Neo1
7/26/2012 12:48 AM EDT
I believe that this is a good step by ARM, not because it will generate lot of good programmers but it will certainly proliferate ARM's architecture among the student community and be helpful as a guide for employers in ascertaining a candidates profile. The certification has multiple levels so it's not just about processors but includes software, hardware and systems knowledge which makes for an all round skill for intending to go all the way.
It would probably also help in increasing the arm talent pool in the job market and also aid free lancer embedded programmers who are new to ARM.
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dvk
7/26/2012 4:30 AM EDT
Very good for young engineers like me. I learned a lot from the syllabus itself...oops.
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Big Bad John
8/4/2012 10:22 AM EDT
What is it with this test mania? I hate taking tests. There is a reason I didn't become a doctor or laywer.
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