OTA Update Tools: Find The Perfect Fit For Your Application
Updating the firmware of modern devices is an essential part of their lifecycle. This post explores the desirable features of an OTA updater and compares three popular options to help you choose the best tool. Maintaining firmware in embedded systems is an ongoing challenge. Over-the-air (OTA) flash image programmers simplify this by enabling remote updates, […]
A Deeper Dive into Software Buses: D-Bus, MQTT, and Kafka
In a previous post, we introduced the concept of a software bus, a powerful tool for inter-process communication. Today, we’re diving deeper into three popular software buses—D-Bus, MQTT, and Kafka—each of which has unique strengths and is tailored to specific use cases. D-Bus: The Local Communicator D-Bus is a versatile message bus system that was […]
Bus Your Way to Better Embedded Systems
Communication between processes, applications, or even computers is crucial for creating modular and flexible software architectures. But when it comes to implementing this communication, developers are often faced with a multitude of choices—each with its own set of complexities. This article explores how software buses simplify this challenge, making inter-component communication more structured and scalable. […]
Requirements: Writing Specs That Save Time and Money
Writing clear, concise, and testable requirements is critical for ensuring that your project meets its goals efficiently. In this post, we’ll explore best practices for crafting effective requirements and how using the right tools, including AI, can streamline the process. In embedded systems engineering, the functional and non-functional aspects of a new product are often […]
Reviews: The Key to Right-First-Time Designs
Frustrated by endless design iterations, costly reworks, and damaged reputation? Discover the power of professional design reviews. Outside experts can help you identify and address potential issues early on, ensuring a smooth development process and successful product launch. Here is the why and the how. Why Your Hardware Design Needs a Third Eye: A Case […]
Containerizing Yocto the CQFD Way
Have you ever struggled to create a single Yocto project that can accommodate multiple variants, such as different hardware or software configurations? Containerizing Yocto can be a solution, but the complexity can be overwhelming. That’s where CQFD comes in. The Yocto Project is an open-source embedded Linux development framework that provides a flexible and customizable […]
VOOX: A Hardware Shield For Embedded Systems
In today’s interconnected world, embedded systems are both ubiquitous and increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. In fact, cybersecurity is often not just a matter of protecting sensitive data and installations, but a legal requirement. VOOX’s technologies revolutionize the way we protect systems while improving determinism and overall performance. Let’s see how they work. Embedded systems are […]
A Digital Artifact: My 25-Year-Old USB Drive
While cleaning out my desk drawers recently, I stumbled upon a small, unassuming object that transported me back in time. It was a 32 MB (not a typo) USB flash drive, a relic from the early days of digital storage. This particular device was a gift from M-Systems, a pioneering company in the field of […]
A Daughter’s Guide to Engineering
Recently, my 16-year-old daughter came to me with this question: “Dad, do you think I could be an embedded systems engineer like you?” I was thrilled by her interest. This is what I shared with her. My dear Lili, I’m so happy you’re considering a career in embedded systems. It’s a world full of endless […]
Task Priorities in FreeRTOS – Part 4: The Pitfalls of Too Many Priorities
In our previous articles (part 1, part 2, part 3), we established a foundation for task prioritization in FreeRTOS, outlining a multi-tier system for effective task management. While we’ve introduced several priority levels to accommodate different task types, it’s essential to understand the potential drawbacks of excessive priority levels. The Perils of Proliferation While it […]