Issue #185

Dear ,

Welcome back to the Embedded Bytes newsletter!

In this issue, you’ll find:

• Let Data Dictate Your Software Design

• A Simple Trick to Improve Firmware Quality and Testing

• Industry News and Insights

• From the Embedded Toolbox – Watchdog Timers

• Upcoming Industry Events

• Join the Conversation

• Jobs

• Upgrade Your Skills, Processes, and Architecture

I’ve had several requests from folks to run a Zephyr training course, so on November 13, 2025, Mohammed Billoo and I will be running a one-day intensive Zephyr Bootcamp in Auburn Hills, Michigan. You can learn more here.

Have you encountered any great embedded tools or data you’d like to share with the community? Feel free to share by emailing me at [email protected], and I’ll try to get it into a future edition of Embedded Bytes.

In the meantime . . .

Happy Coding,

Are you interested in using Zephyr RTOS but feel stuck with FreeRTOS?

I’m running from FreeRTOS to Zephyr, A Practical Migration Guide for Embedded Developers, on November 19th!

Industry News and Insights

Let Data Dictate Your Software Design

(DesignNews.com)

Design firmware around the data, not the hardware. Discover how starting with your system’s inputs and outputs leads to modular, future-proof architectures that cut risk and time-to‐market..

A Simple Trick to Improve Firmware Quality and Testing

(DesignNews.com)

A single shift in mindset can dramatically boost firmware quality. Learn the simple trick top developers use to catch bugs earlier and ship more reliable code.

Gophyr: Building a Gopher Client for Zephyr with Claude

(Interrupt.Memfault.com)

Built with Claude in just hours, Gophyr brings the retro Gopher protocol to Zephyr RTOS—showing how AI can accelerate creative embedded development.

Qualcomm to Acquire Arduino

(QualComm)

Qualcomm is acquiring Arduino to bring its edge-AI tech to the 33 million strong Arduino developer community and launch a new “UNO Q” board.

If you’re interested in seeing my thoughts on the topic, my R.I.P. Arduino post on LinkedIn caught a lot of attention. Check it out and leave your comments . . .

You can save 50% on registration to the DSP Online Conference by using the code BENINGODSP! Register at www.dsponlineconference.com.

From the Embedded Toolbox

A Watchdog Timer is Needed in Every Device

Many embedded devices fail in the field because they lack one simple safeguard — a watchdog timer.

Without it, even a small software hang can make your product unresponsive until a customer flips the breaker.

That’s exactly what happened to me today.

I had to power cycle my house today.

Not because of a storm or electrical issue.

Because a smart light switch stopped responding weeks ago — and cutting power to the misbehaving device was the only way to bring it back.

This is what happens when embedded devices ship without . . . 

Continue Reading . . .

Upcoming Industry Events

A lot is going on in the industry over the next couple of months. Here are some of the upcoming events, both free and paid:

Join the Conversation

Follow me on LinkedIn for daily tips, insights, and strategies to help you develop faster, smarter firmware. Here are a few recent highlights:

The goal of a firmware update isn’t to succeed. It’s to fail gracefully . . .

R.I.P Arduino. And good riddance!

Jobs

If you’re hiring embedded engineers, let me know!

Please keep it to 150 words or fewer. I reserve the right to edit it to fit the newsletter’s format and intent.

No recruiters, please!

Upgrade Your Skills, Processes, and Architecture

Struggling to keep your development skills up to date or facing outdated processes that slow down your team, raise costs, and impact product quality?

Here are 4 ways I can help you:

1. Faster. Smarter. Firmware: A 2-Day seminar on modern practices for better embedded systems. Doing software the right way means fewer bugs and earlier deliveries. This seminar gives your team the tools and techniques to develop software with fewer bugs in less time by leveraging modern techniques to develop faster and smarter. To learn more, email me at [email protected]

2. Embedded Software Academy: Enhance your skills, streamline your processes, and elevate your architecture. Join my academy for on-demand, hands-on workshops and cutting-edge development resources designed to transform your career and keep you ahead of the curve.

3. Consulting Services: Get personalized, expert guidance to streamline your development processes, boost efficiency, and achieve your project goals faster. Partner with us to unlock your team’s full potential and drive innovation, ensuring your project’s success.

4. Team Training and Development: Empower your team with the latest best practices in embedded software. Our expert-led training sessions will equip your team with the skills and knowledge to excel, innovate, and drive your projects to success.

Take action today to upgrade your skills, optimize your team, and achieve success.