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Embedded System Development Environment

There are various tools in use that are necessary to develop hardware and software solutions involving micro-controller systems. In a practical sense, they are tools that allow a developer to design and develop the code necessary to operate and achieve a specific purpose or function. Either as a free-standing application on a single board computer or as a simple programmable logic controller solution. Application code is normally put together within a developer’s tool chest also sometimes loosely understood as a toolchain.

Wikipedia provides a write up of what a toolchain is from a software development perspective. Outlined as a sequence of utilities that include compilers, libraries, debuggers, and so on to produce an application. While completely accurate, a respective toolchain for embedded systems usually turns out different because associated hardware requirements can vary based on the platform in use. Moreover, a toolchain can look quite a bit different due to separately unique operating systems, programming languages, and development requirements at a device, component, or circuit level. A toolchain set up for an ST Microcontroller could look entirely different from a Texas Instruments or Broadcom architecture.

Outlined here are typical tools that are common at an embedded system project or workstation. For professionals, makers, or hobbyists, these are common setups. Generally, from a system level, there are generally four categories and specific developer tools separated out when bringing together embedded projects of various types.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

This is an application that provides the framework by which code is written in a designated language for a specific purpose. Generally for embedded systems, Eclipse is commonly in use because of its support for languages generally more favorable to embedded systems. Visual Studio is also a viable choice, but there is a larger code and configuration and use overhead that accompanies VS IDE.

Eclipse | Site | Download (Oxygen 64-bit)
An open-source development community with resources and tools to develop a project with a very large support base.
Visual Studio | Download
Microsoft’s developer community provides open-source support through its free Community developer IDE.

Languages

These are merely a few languages that are possible to implement for an embedded project. They are outlined here because they are highly common as tools among thousands of developers.

Python | Download (Windows) | Download (Mac) | Download (Linux)
“Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language. It incorporates modules, exceptions, dynamic typing, very high-level dynamic data types, and classes. Python combines remarkable power with very clear syntax. It has interfaces to many system calls and libraries, as well as to various window systems, and is extensible in C or C++. It is also usable as an extension language for applications that need a programmable interface. Finally, Python is portable: it runs on many Unix variants, on the Mac, and on Windows 2000 and later.” Source: General Python FAQ.
C/C++
Compiler language normally installed during IDE set up. For example, when a developer installs Eclipse, or Visual Studio, C/C++ and Python extension support is selected to immediately start programming, test, and debug in the desired syntax or language.
Java
A general-purpose object-oriented programming language. Also normally an extension to an IDE installation. An often popular choice of developers of embedded systems.

Utilities

Single-board computers with firmware code embedded within a micro-controller, flash or memory, are typically supported by a Linux O/S. A Linux distribution is commonly specific for embedded systems such as Debian.

Linux | Download (Debian)
A free version of Linux that supports application software to accomplish various tasks at a user-level. It comes with about 51,000 packages of free pre-compiled software to run on top of Linux to support what programs a developer might produce within a chosen programming language. The distribution is relatively light with a total size of about 2GB.
Notepad | Download (Notepad++)
A free source code editor and note pad application as a straight-forward text editor. Very useful as a scratchpad, or an easy-to-use program editor that doesn’t operate as an IDE.
PuTTY | Download
An SSH and telnet client developed for Windows. PuTTY is open-source software. A free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console, and network file transfer application. It supports several network protocols, including SCP, SSH, Telnet, rlogin, and raw socket connection to gain access to an SBC or controller device over a network.

Support

GitHub | Site
Another software development platform, but largely used for source control and code sharing among teams, privately or publicly. Very useful to commit to a repository as code advances and development continues. Multiple concurrent code instances and versions are supported across projects for more organized and effective development.

Arduino Uno Set-Up

By on in Embedded, Engineering

As previously posted with the RPi set up, the same is illustrated here but for Arduino Uno. A very common single board computer that is entry level and simple to set up and operate

As before, three areas of interest are given.

Block Diagram
Pin Out Diagram
Tool Chain

The purpose of each work together to build hardware and software controller applications that operate with a host or in a freestanding manner.

While Arduino is widely understood as an entry-level SBC, it can be found among enthusiasts, makers, and project minded people who wish to build projects and code them for unique applications. Centered on the ATMega microcontroller, the software support is deep in a large community of developers. The development environment is an IDE appropriately named Sketch.

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Beaglebone Black Set-Up

By on in Embedded, Engineering

This is the third set up posting for an SBC system. This time it is for the Beagle Bone Black with a wireless cape. The attached PDF and diagrams posted here provide a suitable reference for a project in terms of hardware and software development. While there are a number of illustrations and diagrams of interest here, there is also an excellent text by Derek Molloy that offers a more comprehensive look at the setups to support projects of numerous types (ISBN 978-1118935125).

As previously posted with the RPi and Arduino Uno setups, the same is illustrated here but for BeagleBone Black. A very common single-board computer that is entry-level and simple to set up and operate. Widely known among makers, academics, and students for control automation, robotics, and sensor/actuator processing applications.

Beaglebone Black Cape Functional Diagram

ST Micro Nucleo Set-Up

By on in Embedded, Engineering

The ST Micro Nucleo single-board computer (SBC) provides for both analog and digital ports that offer more flexibility toward projects developed. In terms of its physical hardware set up, it is probably the easiest to bring together as compared to other more common SBC solutions.

The Nucleo board is supported by the mbed development system. An online code editor to produce applications for a wide range or project types. The SBC largely provides for a USB interface, power, clock and general purpose I/O in a small form factor.

It can operate with a host or as a freestanding board for set and forget applications. Largely to compete with Arduino, but also for development support of STMicro controller ICs which involve evaluation, qualification for suitability, etc.

Raspberry Pi Set-Up

By on in Embedded, Engineering

As a way to set a reference about how Raspberry Pi gets set up for repeated and continued use, it makes sense to identify system components in one place. Altogether for ease of use and assembly. This diagram is a way to identify hardware and possible software elements for development and exploration.

More specifically, a block diagram is illustrated to indicate where various interfaces apply. Display ports, power, general-purpose I/O, USB, and so on. Since peripheral connectivity is quite large with the 40-pin dual inline connector, a pin-out diagram is also illustrated here. Each pin having its reference number and name to describe its purpose.

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