Microcontroller based systems are evolving to include multicore processing. Multiple cores adds a new design paradigm to embedded software developers and can make working with an RTOS more challenging. In this course, we will explore how to get started with multicore microcontroller based systems and how to leverage an RTOS when multiple cores are involved.
Registration and Playback located here (May require login to access)
February 22 – Day 1 – Multicore Application Architecture Design
Multicore microcontrollers are becoming a standard design element in many embedded systems. In this session, we will explore the different hardware and software architectures that are available to developers and discuss how different application components can be distributed. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the different design options relating to real-time processing, security, machine learning and more.
February 23 – Day 2 – A Quick Review of RTOS Fundamentals
Before diving deeper into multicore multiprocessing, it’s imperative to make sure everyone is well grounded in RTOS Fundamentals. In this session, we will review the characteristics of real-time operating systems in preparation for writing RTOS based multicore applications later in the week. Attendees will walk away with a review of RTOS fundamentals like how to design a software architecture, use mutexes, semaphore, queues and event flags.
February 24 – Day 3 – Digging into the Dual-Core STM32H7 MCU’s
Dual core microcontroller application development offers a new programming paradigm for a lot of embedded developers. In this session, we will dig into the hardware to understand what capabilities are built into microcontrollers and how coordination and data can occur between multiple cores. Attendees will walk away understanding the hardware better with examples being provided using the STM32H7 series processors.
February 25 – Day 4 – Toolchain Setup for Dual Core MCU’s
Developing applications for a multicore microcontroller is not exactly the same as a single core processor. In this session, we will explore how to setup the STM toolchain to write application code on each core of the microcontroller. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of toolchain setup, device programming and how to debug a multicore application.
February 26 – Day 5 –Writing Multicore Microcontroller Applications
In this session, we will explore how to design and write multicore microcontroller applications. We will explore examples for using an RTOS, coordinating processing, sharing data and more. Attendees will walk away with a foundational understanding that they can use to design and implement their own multicore applications.
Course Resources
Jacob’s General Embedded System Resources:
- Sign-Up for the Embedded Bytes Newsletter here
- Embedded Software Design Techniques – An API Standard for MCU’s here
- Developing Reusable Firmware – A Practical Guide to API’s, HAL’s and Drivers here
- MicroPython Projects Book here
- Doxygen C Templates Download can be here
- DesignNews Blog Articles can be found here
- Jacob’s YouTube Channel – here
