Book excerpt: This book outlines a methodology for the use of parallel processing in real time systems. It provides an introduction to parallel processing in general, and to embedded systems in particular. Among the embedded systems are processors in such applications as automobiles, various machinery, IPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), multimedia embedded systems such as those used in the computer game industry, and more. * Presents design and simulation tools as well as case studies. * First presentation of this material in book form.