1. Processor: Selection of processor depends upon amount of processing power and the register width required. Powerful 8bit, 16 bit, 32 bit & 64bit processors are available. The clock speed and memory addressing capability is also measure of processor power. Powerful DSPs are available for real time analysis of audio and video signals
2. Memory: Designer has to make an estimate for memory requirement and must make provision for expansion. There are different types of memories in a system, like RAM, ROM, EEPROM etc. Flash memories are used in embedded system; hence operating systems can be ported in target hardware system.
3. Power : It is the amount of power consumed by the system which may determine lifetime of battery , or cooling requirements of the IC , since more power means more heat
4. NRE cost (Non-Recurring Engineering cost):It is the one-time monetary cost of designing the system. Once system is designed any number of units can be manufactured without incurring any additional design cost.