What if what you’re debugging is a little more complicated than verifying a serial packet? That you’re not just tracking down an issue with a couple bytes or words of sensor, variable, or EEPROM data, but a more complex algorithm. In doing so, you may want to know the critical values involved in each step […]
Year: 2015
Software: Octave
GNU Octave is a high-level interpreted language, primarily intended for numerical computations. It provides capabilities for the numerical solution of linear and nonlinear problems, and for performing other numerical experiments. It also provides extensive graphics capabilities for data visualization and manipulation. Octave is normally used through its interactive command line interface, but it can also […]
Book: Making Embedded Systems
Author: Elecia White Interested in developing embedded systems? Since they don’t tolerate inefficiency, these systems require a disciplined approach to programming. This easy-to-read guide helps you cultivate a host of good development practices, based on classic software design patterns and new patterns unique to embedded programming. Learn how to build system architecture for processors, not […]
Capacitor Conversion Chart
This is a rather useful print-able capacitor value conversion chart I’ve used when assembly prototypes when the units on the Digikey bags does not line up with the schematics.
Tools: RealTerm Serial Monitor
RealTerm tends to be one of my primary go-to debugging tools. It provides a simple and easy way to get a clearer picture in what’s going on with the system. In-circuit debuggers exist but they often fall short when real-time interaction is needed (interrupts, COMS, etc). As opposed to other serial programs like TeraTerm, RealTerm […]
Passive Analog Filtering
The passive analog filter is the simplest and compact way to filter analog signals. They are very reliable and require no additional power supply. All of these can be designed with a simple configuration of resistors and capacitors. The basic filter types are: Low pass High pass Band pass Band reject / Notch Critical Equations […]
Knowledge Based Product Development: A Practical Guide
Author: Bob Melvin Engineering managers are constrained by knowledge gaps created by complex customer interests, multiple ways to solve problems, and emerging technologies that impact 21st century markets. In “Knowledge Based Product Development”, Bob Melvin describes from start to finish how he practices a relatively recent convergence of techniques known as lean (from Toyota design […]
Timer Module on PIC18 Microcontrollers (in mikroC)
Timers are a fundamental building block in embedded programming and are integral when implementing an RTOS or an RTOS like solution. The high-level basic premise is that the internal module counts “ticks” either from an internal clock source or an external oscillator. When this count overflows an interrupt is thrown. Depending on how you configure […]
Visual Studio Code
Microsoft’s new Visual Studio offering isn’t a full IDE but a light-weight (and cross-platform) text editor. Packed with intellisense, version control, and debug tools it can be a powerful addition to your tool-box. The Good VS Code is simple, clean, and easy to use. Since I don’t tend to program a substantial amount of C# […]
DFU Mode on a STM32 Microcontroller
DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is an incredibly useful feature on modern microcontrollers. It allows for quick and easy updates to a device’s firmware without the need of extra piece of hardware. This can be critical if you need to update the firmware of a device in the field or to streamline a production or […]