Issue #177

Dear ,

Welcome back to the Embedded Bytes newsletter!

In this issue, I’ve collected a few key insights to help you modernize your embedded development practices and ultimately build faster, smarter firmware:

• Why TDD Fails in Embedded Teams and How to Fix It

• 3 Reasons AI Code Reviews are Bad for Your Team

• 3 Lessons to Learn from Zephyr RTOS

The Embedded Frontier Podcast is on a short break, but will resume next month.

I will also be teaching a Free DesignNews.com Continuing Education Course (CEC) entitled Mastering Zephyr RTOS July 21 – 25. You can register here.

Happy Coding,

Industry News and Cool Stuff

Reviving a classic electronic game – using SEGGER Tools and Software

(SEGGER.com)

A classic 1980s electronic game gets new life on modern hardware. Discover how SEGGER tools helped bring Galaxis to the i.MX RT1050—starting with the GUI and game grid in Part I of this three-part series.

3 Reasons AI Code Reviews are Bad for Your Team

(DesignNews.com)

AI code reviews promise speed and automation but are they quietly destroying your team’s collaboration, architecture, and ownership? Here’s why relying on AI alone could cost you more than you think.

Why TDD Fails in Embedded Teams and How to Fix It

(Beningo.com)

Test-Driven Development promises better code and fewer bugs but most embedded teams fail to adopt it. Why? It’s not the tools—it’s how you’re using them. Here’s how to fix it.

3 Lessons to Learn from Zephyr RTOS

(Embedded.com)

Most embedded teams treat firmware like throwaway code—but modern systems demand more. Here’s what Zephyr RTOS teaches us about building scalable, secure, and future-ready firmware.

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:

Your application code should not care about hardware.

A funny thing happened during COVID . . .

You don’t need 100% code coverage. You need these 3 things instead:

Mastering Zephyr RTOS

Zephyr RTOS is rapidly becoming the go-to real-time operating system for embedded developers building scalable, connected applications.

In this course, you’ll gain a hands-on introduction to Zephyr’s architecture, configuration, and development workflow.

We’ll explore how to build real applications using device trees, Kconfig, west, and Zephyr’s driver model—without getting lost in the complexity.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a working foundation in Zephyr and the confidence to build your own embedded applications with it.

Day 1: Welcome to Zephyr RTOS

Day 2: Build Systems, Kconfig, and Device Tree

Day 3: Threads, Scheduling, and RTOS Primitives

Day 4: Drivers, Peripherals, and Customization

Day 5: Debugging, Logging, and Best Practices

Class times are 2:00 – 2:45 ET each day with recordings available.

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. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Customized Design Solutions: Get design and development assistance to enhance efficiency, ensure robust testing, and streamline your development pipeline, driving your project’s success.

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