🎬 10 Tips On Learning Embedded Systems

In this video, embedded systems consultant Martin Schroder outlines ten steps on self learning embedded systems.

Learning and understanding embedded systems require a broad skillset. According to Schroder, they include programming skills in C, knowing operating systems, a knowledge of electronics. and more. As many aspects of embedded systems are not taught in engineering colleges, self learning is important, which is why Schroder titled the video “10 Steps To Self Learn Embedded Systems”.

https://youtu.be/XhO-SwIsr44

#video

📃 How to Design and 3D Print Custom Cases for Your Devices

Design your own products with free software and 3D printers

In this tutorial, we’re going to learn how to custom design and 3D print a case by creating one for the Pimoroni Tufty2040, an RP2040-powered badge with a 2.4-inch LED screen.

Designing your own product for 3D printing is relatively straightforward. We just need to apply an iterative methodology to the design and fabrication process.

The process will differ slightly depending on what you are creating a case for. However, in following the steps for the Tufty2040, we’ll learn the basic steps for creating and 3D printing a custom case.

More information...

#articles #3d_modeling

🎬 Message Handling in Embedded: a Declarative, Modern C++ Approach

In embedded systems, messages usually arrive asynchronously and need to be efficiently parsed. Often the structure and semantics of a message packet depend on the value of a series of bits within the message. In event driven designs, messages are filtered and routed to proper handlers.

This talk will dive into a declarative approach to solving common problems with message handling: bit mapping fields, filtering, and dispatching to handlers. The solution is sensitive to small footprint embedded targets yet fairly flexible.

https://youtu.be/LdPgNFR7OL8

#video #cpp

📟 Build your own IoT platform using node.js and ESP8266

In this article, you will learn how to build your own IoT minimal platform, that works over the internet. The platform will have three parts:

▫️ The User Interface (frontend)
▫️ Server (backend)
▫️ Hardware

And all three parts of the application should be able to communicate with each other in real-time by using WebSocket. WebSocket is a computer communications protocol, providing full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection.

More information...

#esp32 #IoT

🎬 Making PCBs with 3D printed stencil and UV paint

How to use an UV-curable soldermask as an actual etching mask. This process is pretty quick and doesn't require chemicals to develop the etching mask, just UV light and some heat.

Pros:
▫️ no chemicals besides the soldermask, isopropyl alcohol and etchant are required
▫️ the stencil completely blocks UV, making it hard to overexpose the board; it also completly passes the UV in uncovered areas, making the exposure faster than with a plastic film
▫️ the stencil is reusable

Cons:
▫️ not suitable for fine-pitch components
▫️ requires adding "bridges" to the stencil to keep it from falling apart

https://youtu.be/QdvfGcdTSuA

#video #electronics

📃 The curious case of the Raspberry Pi in the network closet

A short story about how author found, analyzed and in the end caught the culprit of a malicious device in their network.

More information...

#articles #security

📟 ArduinoJSON: Efficient JSON serialization for embedded C++

ArduinoJson is not limited to Arduino; it works with any C++ project. Moreover, it’s compatible with C++98, so it doesn’t require a modern C++ compiler, which means you can use it with your old vendor toolchain.

Compared to the “official” Arduino_JSON library:
▫️ ArduinoJson is twice smaller,
▫️ ArduinoJson runs almost 10% faster,
▫️ ArduinoJson consumes roughly 10% less RAM.

Finally, ArduinoJson is open-source and uses one of the most permissive licenses so you can use it on any project.

More information...

#arduino #libraries #cpp

📰 Artificial Synapses 10,000x Faster Than Real Thing

New artificial versions of the neurons and synapses in the human brain are up to 1,000 times smaller than neurons and at least 10,000 times faster than biological synapses, a study now finds.

These new devices may help improve the speed at which the increasingly common and powerful artificial intelligence systems known as deep neural networks learn, researchers say.

Just as transistors are the core elements of digital computers, so too are neuron- and synapse-like components the key building blocks in analog deep learning. In the new study, researchers experimented with artificial synapses called programmable resistors.

In experiments, the scientists found their protonic programmable resistors could perform at least 10,000 times faster than biological synapses at room temperature. Onen says: "Previously the operation timescales were around milliseconds, whereas in this work we achieved nanoseconds."

#news #artificial_intelligence

📃 C++ Templates for Embedded Code

Templates are a powerful feature of the C++ language but their syntax can be complex. This causes some developers to not use them, while others are concerned that templates might cause bloat to the compiled code.

The author explains how templates work and how you may use them in your code. Although the examples provided are for the Arduino Uno and Adafruit Feather M0, the concepts will work with any platform and with all modern C++ compilers.

More information:
Part 1: basics and function templates
Part 2: template classes and specialisation

#articles #programming #cpp

📟 Open-Source Fast Linear Actuator in one PCB

A fully integrated PCB linear actuator, with the motor driver, encoder and motor all on a single PCB.

There are many ways to make a linear actuator, a device for moving something is a straight line. Most of the easier to make ones use a conventional motor and a mechanical linkage such as a rack and pinion or a lead screw, but author has gone for something far more elegant.

His linear actuator uses a linear motor, a linear array of coils for the motor phases, working against a line of magnets. Even better than that, he’s managed to make the whole motor out of a single PCB. And it’s fast!

More information:
The main article
Software page
Hardware page

#projects

📰 Stanford engineers present new chip that ramps up AI computing efficiency

AI-powered edge computing is already pervasive in our lives. Devices like drones, smart wearables, and industrial IoT sensors are equipped with AI-enabled chips so that computing can occur at the “edge” of the internet, where the data originates. This allows real-time processing and guarantees data privacy.

However, AI functionalities on these tiny edge devices are limited by the energy provided by a battery. Therefore, improving energy efficiency is crucial.

Stanford University engineers have come up with a potential solution: a novel resistive random-access memory (RRAM) chip that does the AI processing within the memory itself, thereby eliminating the separation between the compute and memory units. Their chip, called NeuRRAM, is about the size of a fingertip and does more work with limited battery power than what current chips can do.

More information...

#news #artificial_intelligence

📟 Guide: Designing a Smart watch using ESP32

Super detailed guide of designing a custom smart watch using popular microcontroller.

People may access messages, alerts, health information, and other advanced information easily and quickly using smartwatches. While smartwatches are formally revolutionary as standalone devices, their capabilities essentially increase when used in conjunction with other devices that people carry, such as their smartphones or tablets.

In this project, we are going to build a feature-rich, customizable smartwatch from scratch. We are going to make this using the best affordable and easily available components. Since designing such a product is a lengthy time-consuming procedure, we are going to do this in parts.

More information:
Part 1: Making Watch Faces
Part 2: Ambient Light and Heart Rate Sensors
Part 3: Magnetometer and Gyroscope

#projects #esp32