In my last post, I explored how OTA updates are typically performed using Amazon Web Services and FreeRTOS. OTA updates are critically important to developers with connected devices. In today’s post, we are going to explore several best practices developers should keep in mind with implementing their OTA solution. Most of these will be generic … Continue reading 5 Best Practices for Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates
Category: Software Techniques
Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates with AWS and FreeRTOS
Updating firmware in the field has always been a critical component to nearly every embedded system since the dawn of embedded systems. Access to programming tools like a JTAG or SWD programmer and physical access to the programming port has often necessitated the need to update firmware using an alternative interface such as USB, CAN, … Continue reading Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates with AWS and FreeRTOS
3 Common Challenges Facing RTOS Application Developers
Real-time operating systems (RTOS) are now included in many embedded applications. They can dramatically simplify time and task management in a system and help improve scalability and maintainability (if the application is designed correctly). I’ve found though that there are several common challenges that face RTOS application developers. Let’s examine these challenges and discuss a … Continue reading 3 Common Challenges Facing RTOS Application Developers
5 Tips for Developing an RTOS Application Software Architecture
Real-time operating systems (RTOS) are finding their way into nearly every IoT device. An RTOSes ability to manage low-level resources and complex timing requirements make them well suited for these applications. It is not uncommon though to struggle with how to design a software architecture that includes an RTOS. In today’s post, we will examine … Continue reading 5 Tips for Developing an RTOS Application Software Architecture
5 Tips for Building a Modern Telemetry GUI
Nearly every embedded system I have ever built has required a graphical user interface (GUI) to monitor and display telemetry. Monitoring telemetry during development can help developers to visualize what the system is doing and play a critical role in verifying and debugging the system. Telemetry in this context is any health and wellness information … Continue reading 5 Tips for Building a Modern Telemetry GUI
Simplified Software Development using MCU Configurators
When I first started writing embedded software, nearly every project started the same. For the first 3 – 6 months, every single day was spent pouring through microcontroller datasheets and writing a driver for each peripheral that was going to be used on a project. It was a lot of fun. Every microcontroller worked slightly … Continue reading Simplified Software Development using MCU Configurators
One “RTOS” to Rule them All
It’s always nice to have a choice, but when it comes to real-time operating systems (RTOS), there are just too many! If you’ve ever taken the time to search the web, you’d find that there are over a hundred different RTOS’s out there! Some are general, some try to differentiate by industry such as the … Continue reading One “RTOS” to Rule them All
7 Tips for Mastering Git
One thing that every embedded software developer, and hopefully every general software developer has in common is that they use a revision control system to manage their software. There are different revision control systems out there, but the most popular system today is Git. If you have never used a revision control system or are … Continue reading 7 Tips for Mastering Git
5 Best Practices for Utilizing Open Source Software
Open source software is everywhere and has the potential to help businesses accelerate development and improve their software quality. Achieving these results though can be challenging if care is not taken. Here are five best practices for utilizing open source software that will help leverage open source software successfully. Best Practice #1 – Use an … Continue reading 5 Best Practices for Utilizing Open Source Software
5 Keys to Successfully Managing Legacy Code
I feel like there is always a big focus on developing new features, launching the next product or the next big thing, but once those things are successful there is an extraordinary challenge that teams face in managing their legacy code. Even the latest and greatest software at some point becomes legacy and it isn’t … Continue reading 5 Keys to Successfully Managing Legacy Code