📃 7 ways to become a Full Stack Embedded Software Engineer
A short article with advices from the Senior Embedded Software Engineer and the inventor of CloudX
A Full Stack embedded Software Engineer (System Architect) is someone who has full knowledge of hardware, software, firmware, PCB designs etc.
A good embedded software engineer can develop hardware and all the source code that runs in the system, from board support package (BSP) to the user interface.
In Hardware, it means having great knowledge electronics interfaces like SPI, I2C, GPIO, UART, CAN etc. Good working knowledge of communication protocols like Bluetooth, MQTT, WIFI, etc.
In software, it means being able to understand and master the programming language used in communicating with the hardware, Embedded Software can be written either with low level or high level programming languages.
More information...
#articles #work
A short article with advices from the Senior Embedded Software Engineer and the inventor of CloudX
A Full Stack embedded Software Engineer (System Architect) is someone who has full knowledge of hardware, software, firmware, PCB designs etc.
A good embedded software engineer can develop hardware and all the source code that runs in the system, from board support package (BSP) to the user interface.
In Hardware, it means having great knowledge electronics interfaces like SPI, I2C, GPIO, UART, CAN etc. Good working knowledge of communication protocols like Bluetooth, MQTT, WIFI, etc.
In software, it means being able to understand and master the programming language used in communicating with the hardware, Embedded Software can be written either with low level or high level programming languages.
More information...
#articles #work
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💻 5 Tips for Choosing an Embedded Programming Language
The language will depend on the type of software, the needs of their company, and the technical debt for maintaining the code.
▫️ Avoid Dead or Dying Languages: The once commonly used languages fade away and are replaced by something new.
▫️ Select Object-Oriented Languages: Selecting a programming language that supports object-oriented programming concepts is critical to building scalable and reusable software systems.
▫️ Use Standardized Languages Only: For instance, C++ has a well-defined standard, and the standard is updated every three years. As a result, developers are provided with new techniques and features to improve their software, making the language live.
▫️ Balance the Languages Run-time Weight: Teams should carefully consider the overhead associated with the language they choose.
▫️ Use the Language that is Right for You: Teams need to decide what features and language best fit your needs.
#articles #programming
The language will depend on the type of software, the needs of their company, and the technical debt for maintaining the code.
▫️ Avoid Dead or Dying Languages: The once commonly used languages fade away and are replaced by something new.
▫️ Select Object-Oriented Languages: Selecting a programming language that supports object-oriented programming concepts is critical to building scalable and reusable software systems.
▫️ Use Standardized Languages Only: For instance, C++ has a well-defined standard, and the standard is updated every three years. As a result, developers are provided with new techniques and features to improve their software, making the language live.
▫️ Balance the Languages Run-time Weight: Teams should carefully consider the overhead associated with the language they choose.
▫️ Use the Language that is Right for You: Teams need to decide what features and language best fit your needs.
#articles #programming
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📰 Smartwatch developed at UCLA measures key stress hormone
Device opens new possibilities for personal health monitoring
The human body responds to stress, from the everyday to the extreme, by producing a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol levels traditionally have been evaluated through blood samples by professional labs.
Now, a UCLA research team has developed a device that could be a major step forward: a smartwatch that assesses cortisol levels found in sweat — accurately, noninvasively and in real time.
In the new smartwatch, a strip of specialized thin adhesive film collects tiny volumes of sweat, measurable in millionths of a liter. An attached sensor detects cortisol using engineered strands of DNA, called aptamers, which are designed so that a cortisol molecule will fit into each aptamer like a key fits a lock. When cortisol attaches, the aptamer changes shape in a way that alters electric fields at the surface of a transistor.
#news
Device opens new possibilities for personal health monitoring
The human body responds to stress, from the everyday to the extreme, by producing a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol levels traditionally have been evaluated through blood samples by professional labs.
Now, a UCLA research team has developed a device that could be a major step forward: a smartwatch that assesses cortisol levels found in sweat — accurately, noninvasively and in real time.
In the new smartwatch, a strip of specialized thin adhesive film collects tiny volumes of sweat, measurable in millionths of a liter. An attached sensor detects cortisol using engineered strands of DNA, called aptamers, which are designed so that a cortisol molecule will fit into each aptamer like a key fits a lock. When cortisol attaches, the aptamer changes shape in a way that alters electric fields at the surface of a transistor.
#news
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📰 Challenger RP2040 LoRa board
Raspberry Pi Pico's RP2040 Gains Long-Range Radio
Invector Labs is now offering a variant of the WiFi-based Challenger RP2040 board with a LoRa radio. The Challenger RP2040 LoRa board features the Hope RF RFM95W LoRa radio transceiver module instead of the ESP8285 Wi-Fi chip found in the original board.
Specifications:
▫️ MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+
▫️ Storage – 8MB flash
▫️ Wireless module – Hope RF RFM95W connected via SPI channel and some GPIOs
▫️ I/Os via Adafruit Feather compatible headers
▫️ Power Supply - 5V via USB Type-C port
▫️ Misc – Neopixel RGB LED, BOOT and RESET buttons, u.FL Wi-Fi antenna connector
We’re being told the Challenger RP2040 LoRa is programmable with Arduino, CircuitPython, and Micropython, but at the time of writing, no documentation is available yet.
#news #boards
Raspberry Pi Pico's RP2040 Gains Long-Range Radio
Invector Labs is now offering a variant of the WiFi-based Challenger RP2040 board with a LoRa radio. The Challenger RP2040 LoRa board features the Hope RF RFM95W LoRa radio transceiver module instead of the ESP8285 Wi-Fi chip found in the original board.
Specifications:
▫️ MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+
▫️ Storage – 8MB flash
▫️ Wireless module – Hope RF RFM95W connected via SPI channel and some GPIOs
▫️ I/Os via Adafruit Feather compatible headers
▫️ Power Supply - 5V via USB Type-C port
▫️ Misc – Neopixel RGB LED, BOOT and RESET buttons, u.FL Wi-Fi antenna connector
We’re being told the Challenger RP2040 LoRa is programmable with Arduino, CircuitPython, and Micropython, but at the time of writing, no documentation is available yet.
#news #boards
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🎚 RP2040 Stamp Review: Condensed Pico Platform
Distilling the Raspberry Pi Pico experience into a one inch square board
This $12, one-inch square board resembles a postage stamp but emblazoned on the center is the familiar RP2040 SoC, along with 8MB of flash storage and a full complement of GPIO pins forming a perimeter of castellations around the board.
Speaking of GPIO pins, RP2040 Stamp has a few extras built in. On the underside of the board, we spotted breakouts for USB (D+ and D-), Battery and serial debug (SWCLK, SWDIO) which enables the board to work with the carrier board, but more importantly it enables it to work with your custom board.
This isn’t for everyone, but if you need the power of the RP2040 in a small and convenient form factor, then RP2040 Stamp is for you. Ease of use, great form factor and a full GPIO make this a great way to make your own boards.
Benefits of the board:
▫️ Small form factor
▫️ GPIO selection is excellent
▫️ PCB Design footprints
▫️ Ease of use
#boards #raspberry
Distilling the Raspberry Pi Pico experience into a one inch square board
This $12, one-inch square board resembles a postage stamp but emblazoned on the center is the familiar RP2040 SoC, along with 8MB of flash storage and a full complement of GPIO pins forming a perimeter of castellations around the board.
Speaking of GPIO pins, RP2040 Stamp has a few extras built in. On the underside of the board, we spotted breakouts for USB (D+ and D-), Battery and serial debug (SWCLK, SWDIO) which enables the board to work with the carrier board, but more importantly it enables it to work with your custom board.
This isn’t for everyone, but if you need the power of the RP2040 in a small and convenient form factor, then RP2040 Stamp is for you. Ease of use, great form factor and a full GPIO make this a great way to make your own boards.
Benefits of the board:
▫️ Small form factor
▫️ GPIO selection is excellent
▫️ PCB Design footprints
▫️ Ease of use
#boards #raspberry
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📃 Top 5 MicroPython IDEs for ESP32 and ESP8266
IDEs compatible with MicroPython that you can use to program your ESP boards. You should choose the IDE that best suits your needs:
▫️ Mu Editor is a simple Python editor for beginner programmers. It works pretty well, comes with a simple and intuitive interface, and provides a menu to burn MicroPython firmware to your boards quickly, so you don’t need to use esptool to burn firmware.
▫️ uPyCraft IDE was specifically designed to be used with MicroPython. With this IDE it is pretty easy to establish communication with the board once you select the right COM port.
▫️ Thonny IDE is a simple IDE for Python with MicroPython support. Intuitive, simple, and easy to use.
▫️ VS Code + Pymakr Extension is an excellent choice for those who are used to VS Code.
▫️ PyCharm is an advanced Python IDE with cool features like code completion, debugging, error highlights, and it helps you write better Python code by providing tips and tricks.
#articles #python #esp32
IDEs compatible with MicroPython that you can use to program your ESP boards. You should choose the IDE that best suits your needs:
▫️ Mu Editor is a simple Python editor for beginner programmers. It works pretty well, comes with a simple and intuitive interface, and provides a menu to burn MicroPython firmware to your boards quickly, so you don’t need to use esptool to burn firmware.
▫️ uPyCraft IDE was specifically designed to be used with MicroPython. With this IDE it is pretty easy to establish communication with the board once you select the right COM port.
▫️ Thonny IDE is a simple IDE for Python with MicroPython support. Intuitive, simple, and easy to use.
▫️ VS Code + Pymakr Extension is an excellent choice for those who are used to VS Code.
▫️ PyCharm is an advanced Python IDE with cool features like code completion, debugging, error highlights, and it helps you write better Python code by providing tips and tricks.
#articles #python #esp32
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🤖 Stereo Vision: Making a Depth Map from scratch
Imagine you need to create an environmental garbage-collection robot. However, you do not want to invest heavily in LiDAR technology to determine how far the trash is. This is where Stereo Vision comes into play.
Using two regular pin-hole cameras to not only detect depth but also use the same camera for other Machine Learning tasks can be a huge cost-saving factor.
This project is a great way for beginners to step into the field of not just Computer Vision but Computer Science as a whole, picking up skills in Python and OpenCV.
To begin on this project, you'll need a few essentials:
▫️ Jetson Nano Developer Kit B01
▫️ Two Raspberry Pi cameras
▫️ Interest!
More information:
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Depth Map
Part 3: Adding Object Detection
#articles #robots #machine_learning #python
Imagine you need to create an environmental garbage-collection robot. However, you do not want to invest heavily in LiDAR technology to determine how far the trash is. This is where Stereo Vision comes into play.
Using two regular pin-hole cameras to not only detect depth but also use the same camera for other Machine Learning tasks can be a huge cost-saving factor.
This project is a great way for beginners to step into the field of not just Computer Vision but Computer Science as a whole, picking up skills in Python and OpenCV.
To begin on this project, you'll need a few essentials:
▫️ Jetson Nano Developer Kit B01
▫️ Two Raspberry Pi cameras
▫️ Interest!
More information:
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Depth Map
Part 3: Adding Object Detection
#articles #robots #machine_learning #python
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📷 Arduino Nicla Vision
Arduino Nicla Vision is an ultra-compact (~2.3×2.3 cm) board powered by an STM32H7 dual-core Cortex-M7/M4 microcontroller, and equipped with a 2MP camera, a Wi-Fi & Bluetooth LE module, and a few sensors.
Those features make the board suitable for machine vision and edge computing applications such as asset tracking, image detection, object recognition, and predictive maintenance.
Specifications:
▫️ Microcontrollers: STM32H757AII6 dual-core MCU with Arm Cortex M7 @ 480MHz, Cortex-M4 @ 240MHz, 2 MB flash, 1MB RAM
▫️ Storage: 16MB QSPI flash
▫️ Camera: 2MP GC2145 color camera
▫️ Sensors: 6-axis motion sensor, integrated microphone, and VL53L1 ToF distance sensor
▫️ Connectivity: 2.4GHz WiFi 802.11b/g/n up to 65 Mbps and Bluetooth 5.1 BR/EDR/LE via Murata 1DX module
The Nicla Vision board works with OpenMV, supports the Arduino IDE, Arduino Web, and MicroPython with connectivity to the Arduino Cloud or third-party vendor services.
#news #boards #arduino
Arduino Nicla Vision is an ultra-compact (~2.3×2.3 cm) board powered by an STM32H7 dual-core Cortex-M7/M4 microcontroller, and equipped with a 2MP camera, a Wi-Fi & Bluetooth LE module, and a few sensors.
Those features make the board suitable for machine vision and edge computing applications such as asset tracking, image detection, object recognition, and predictive maintenance.
Specifications:
▫️ Microcontrollers: STM32H757AII6 dual-core MCU with Arm Cortex M7 @ 480MHz, Cortex-M4 @ 240MHz, 2 MB flash, 1MB RAM
▫️ Storage: 16MB QSPI flash
▫️ Camera: 2MP GC2145 color camera
▫️ Sensors: 6-axis motion sensor, integrated microphone, and VL53L1 ToF distance sensor
▫️ Connectivity: 2.4GHz WiFi 802.11b/g/n up to 65 Mbps and Bluetooth 5.1 BR/EDR/LE via Murata 1DX module
The Nicla Vision board works with OpenMV, supports the Arduino IDE, Arduino Web, and MicroPython with connectivity to the Arduino Cloud or third-party vendor services.
#news #boards #arduino
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