The C/C++ programming languages have long dominated the embedded systems industry, with very few other languages being able to find a foothold. The winds of change are upon us, however, and MicroPython may be the programming language you use to build your next product. Python’s shallow learning curve and the fact that even elementary-school students … Continue reading CEC – Designing Embedded Systems using MicroPython
Year: 2019
The Big Tech Cloud Wars Ramifications on the Embedded Industry
Several years ago, Amazon acquired the open source operating system FreeRTOS(TM) and with it, launched a new operating system named Amazon FreeRTOS(TM)? which provides developers working on IoT devices an integrated path to connect with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The idea seems simple, provide developers with a free method to connect to the cloud and … Continue reading The Big Tech Cloud Wars Ramifications on the Embedded Industry
An Ingenious Arduino to Breadboard Adapter
When I work on a development project, I’ve become a big fan of using development boards that have the Arduino headers on them. The vast number of shields that easily connect to these headers is phenomenal. The one problem that I’ve always had though was that there is always a need to use a breadboard … Continue reading An Ingenious Arduino to Breadboard Adapter
5 Tips for Optimizing the Heap in MicroPython
Python has been used by embedded software developers for many years on the PC side to interact with embedded systems. Over the past several years, Micro Python, a Python port that can run on a microcontroller, has been gaining in popularity. Python developers may be tempted to architect and write their Micro Python code similar … Continue reading 5 Tips for Optimizing the Heap in MicroPython
5 Lessons to Learn from the Boeing 737 MAX Fiasco
On Sept 17, 1908, Orville Wright and Lt Thomas Selfridge took off in a Wright Flyer from Fort Meyer Virginia. Shortly after take-off, the Wright Flyer suddenly pitched down, driving the aircraft into the ground, injuring Wright and killing Selfridge. The crash occurred when one of the wooden propellers split and pulled on the bracing … Continue reading 5 Lessons to Learn from the Boeing 737 MAX Fiasco
7 Tips for Creating a Reliable Embedded System
Despite the hopes and dreams of many embedded engineers, reliable code doesn’t happen by accident. It is a painstaking process that requires developers to maintain and manage every bit and byte of the system. There is usually a sigh of relief when an application is validated “successfully” but just because the software is running correctly … Continue reading 7 Tips for Creating a Reliable Embedded System
CEC – Machine Learning for Embedded Software Engineers
Artificial intelligence has long been a tool for developers working in high-performance computing and cloud-based systems. AI has transformed the way that networks are monitored, email is scanned and even the way we interact with our phones and devices. While AI and machine learning have always felt like a distant tool that lived outside real-time … Continue reading CEC – Machine Learning for Embedded Software Engineers
The MicroPython Pyboard Series-D Module
MicroPython has been an interesting project to watch over the last few years. If you’ve not heard of it, MicroPython is an open source project to port Python to run in a real-time, microcontroller-based environment. The ports typically are for Arm Cortex-M processors but there are several ports that run other architectures from Microchip and … Continue reading The MicroPython Pyboard Series-D Module
5 Techniques for Accelerating Engineering Development
The coveted, and often overused marketing phrases in product development as a whole revolves around decreasing costs, faster time to market while improving product quality. We have all heard these statements uttered by probably 90% of all engineering vendors ranging from parts and software suppliers through system integrators and even consultants. As humans, we want … Continue reading 5 Techniques for Accelerating Engineering Development
Defining the Meaning of Software Quality
It’s not uncommon for a software library, vendor or team to claim that they develop quality software. The problem with this proclamation is that the definition for quality can be interpreted quite differently between different developers and teams. One team may consider any code base that meets MISRA-C to be a quality code base while … Continue reading Defining the Meaning of Software Quality