disclosed herein is an embedded system having a processor and at least one reference lookup table . the embedded system may be capable of supporting a component architecture platform framework and providing a mechanism to resolve references for modules and operands at runtime . the embedded system facilitates update of firmware , drivers and application software in embedded systems such as mobile electronic devices . the system also facilitates generation of compact update packages for the embedded system . replacement of modules is efficiently handled because at least one reference lookup table provides a needed level of indirection .