I've recently began Arduino development, and while explaining it to friends and co-workers, one of the questions I've received that I have no answer for and also would like to know is why is the program the microcontroller runs called a sketch? Is this a convention carried over from electrical engineering? I'm not familiar with the history of this particular term.
The Arduino programming language is based on Processing, which is aimed at visual artists. Hence a development version being a 'sketch'.
"Processing is a programming language, development environment, and online community that since 2001 has promoted software literacy within the visual arts. Initially created to serve as a software sketchbook and to teach fundamentals of computer programming within a visual context, Processing quickly developed into a tool for creating finished professional work as well."
processing.org/about
That's a good question. You would be best to Google 'Processing' as that is the language and IDE that the Arduino borrows for constructing programmes. I'm guessing the name is abritrary, although it links in with the manner in which Arduino programmes are 'sketched' out and then improved upon.
Related
I just stumbled over this article stating that there exists a port of the Ada language to Cortex-M4 micro-processors. This seems exciting but unfortunately I have found no such indication on AdaCore.
Our target would be a STM32F407 or STMF417 bare-metal. Real-Time extensions of Ada are of paramount importance to us.
Preferably we would use the GPL version of the tools. However, being a University, we might get access to the respective university-version of the development suite.
Can anybody share there experience with Ada on Cortex-M4 or even STM32, if any?
I've eventually found the correct download including even a sample project for the STM32F4. Cool.
Green Hills sells an Ada 95 compiler for ARM (Cortex M4 boards are included)
Adacore also has the ability to handle Ada runtime libraries with gnat.
AdaCore Releases GNAT GPL for Bare Board ARM
http://www.adacore.com/press/gnat-gpl-for-bare-board-arm/
I played around with the micro-kernel on github (link below).
https://github.com/Lucretia/tamp
It is relatively easy to work with and has great explanations on getting started, which seems to be your issue. I haven't done it in a while, but if you need help let me know I have an STM32F4 at home and I could get it up and running parallel to you and help you out if you get stuck.
I am a non technical person and trying hands on making devices. i have one stupid question. I want to know, is micro-controller development kit can program unlimited microcontrollers (programming will be same for all micro-controller) or we need separate micro controller development kit and separate microcontroller in every device?
You have to read the license for the tool when you buy it, some yes, some no. Often you dont use the developers kit to program the parts, you use a programming tool (which may or may not be part of the same kit) for production. Some tools will program different vendors parts or all the parts within a vendors product list, but in general that is not the case. depending on the device there are a lot of free tools (avrdude for example) that dont have restrictions, but it is vendor/chip specific as to what tool will work for the microcontroller in question.
Simply read the docs on the tool you are interested in to see what it does and doesnt support, read the license agreement to see if there is a limit on the number of devices per software license.
Each type of micro-controller will have its own development kit. That kit works with all the same or similar micro-controllers. But, you will need separate micro-controller for each device.
There are plenty of coffeemakers and washing machines with a microcontroller in them. And clearly the manufacturers of those don't buy microcontroller dev kits by the billions. That would be unaffordable.
I'm learning electronics/microcontroller programming through TI-MSP430 Launchpad(Energia) and Arduino.
Both are based on wiring framework, and very good place to start for a beginner like me.
Now as I'm forwarding in my learning, I'm thinking to explore more and want to do a real world project. My project can be easily done on both above mentioned platforms, but I want to use STM8S-Discovery(Dev board or STM8S series MCU) for this but there is no wiring framework for STM8S as far as I know and I don't want to use if there is any.
What other skills/information I need to migrate from these wiring framework based platform to real world microcontroller projects?
Thanks in advance for inputs!
The datasheet and user's guide will be your best friend. Be sure to look at programming examples for that device as well. Typically you'll need to do the following:
Initialize clock system and setup peripherals and I/O. (Frameworks generally do all this for you). Read some of the actual code behind the scenes of Energia to see how it actually works.
Once the main hardware is initialized, setup your business logic (variables).
Loop indefinitely (like most embedded systems do)... while (true) anyone?
I hope that helps.
I contributed the A110LR09 Booster Pack library for Energia. Take a look at the source code if you're interested with how to write specific device drivers in C/C++ for the MSP430.
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I have been looking into micro-controllers and was wondering if the majority of them are C/C++ based? I am quite proficient in java and want to ask you guys if anyone knows of a good cost efficient, java-based micro-controller I could look into.
All answers are appreciated!
The difference between a language like java (or c#) and a lower level language like c or c++ is the fact that they have a virtual machine.
This has many advantages, like making the application platform-independent. But it also means that each platform has to have the vm for it.
Now, microcontrollers are not uniform and vary in power, memory, and many other features. So adopting the JVM (java's virtual machine) for them is not easy even when possible.
Most of the time its just impossible - most of the uc have very low memory capacity (part of what makes them cheap) - this would make fitting any general-purpose JVM there impossible, not to mention also with the application code.
I am aware of some partial-implementations of java for microcontrollers. For example "java-based" sim cards (which have a very small controller inside) are there, but they have a very limited version of java.
So basically I think your best bet to write "embedded java" (especially if you're a novice) is to work on top of microcontrolers that are basically a small fully functioning computer, that runs a proper OS that already has a JVM. Just look into one of the new "micro computer" open source projects like raspberry pi or beaglebone. Both cost around 2x of an arduino and are much more powerful.
Hope I helped.
Have a look at the Java-ready STM32 microcontrollers or Renesas RX.
As an alternative, you can run a stripped-down JVM on AVR/Arduino using Haiku-VM, NanoVM or uJ.
You can also write Arduino sketches in Java and cross-compile them to C using VBB.
JArduino might be a good starting point for you, as it would allow you to write Java programs that interact with an Arduino board. The Java API provided by JArduino is fully aligned with the Arduino API. Then, once you get used to the Java API, it should be easy to switch to plain Arduino programming (as pointed out, the C/C++ -based Arduino is not that far from Java, anyway). Be aware that with JArduino you do not really program the micro-controller itself (your main logic would run on your PC and the Arduino would simply be "controlled" without any advanced logic running on the board).
There are Java alternatives, but I think they are costly. For example ST Microelectronics has this java IDE based on eclipse:
Java SDK
I have no experience with java on microcontrollers, but Java have many similarities (C based language) to C++ (which is more supported with microcontrollers), but it is still C that is dominating. It should be possible to learn this quite fast if you already know Java.
Arduino uses C++ and are easy to use for people inexperience with C/C++.
I suggest you also try the STM32 Java forum to see if there are users already sharing their experiences:
STM32 Java forum
You can look at Java on a Chip (JoC Module) is the java programmable controller-module
JoC have a reference Board Javaino for easy development
Also Demmel iLCD product have the Java VM on board, it's a smart display with JVM
All
I've a Good Command over C++, But I've never done anything anything on device programming. I've some basic understanding on Digital Logic Design. But I am complete Noob in Electronics. Currently I am getting huge interest on microcontroller Programming.
Where To Start ?
I don't think one really needs to have huge amount of knowledge on electronics to run a program on a microcontroller.
I am using Linux. and I've downloaded Keil. never tried to run it through Wine. I've ran it in Windows. But how the code works is not completely clear to me. though I can understand Logic as its written in C. But Its still like a Fog to me.I Just need a Quick Kickstart.
SO is not the best site to ask this kind of question. There's really a large distinction between programming for a PC and programming for an embedded system, other SE sites specialize in physical computing. I got this email from Robert Cartaino on Tuesday:
...Barring any last-minute interest from
[chiphacker.com], we will be launching [electronics.stackexchange.com]
either tomorrow [Wednesday 9/22] or
Thursday.
So, go commit to electronics.stackexchange.com here, and browse chiphacker.com while you wait. Take a look at these questions on Chiphacker:
How to become an embedded software developer?
Steps to learning Arduino Programming
PIC Programming
What are the best beginner project[s] using an arduino
There are a few things you should consider when planning your entry path to embedded systems programming.
What do you want to do?
What do you know how to do?
How fast are you comfortable learning?
I've outlined a few options in the following paragraphs.
You tagged your question linux-device-driver, does this mean that you want to make a custom device to use in Linux? If you meant embedded-linux, then you're into a larger class of microcontrollers. I suggest that you look at the BeagleBoard, also look at this Chiphacker question for some other options. If you want to do embedded linux, and want to build your own board, you'll first need to build up some experience in simpler levels of embedded systems design.
You also tagged your question avr, which is a popular microcontroller class made by Atmel (check out the avrfreaks forum for more info). I started learning embedded systems on the ATmega324p; they really have great documentation, are easy to use, and there are more sites online for the avr than most any other processor.
If you want an easier learning curve, I suggest taking a look at the Arduino environment. It uses Wiring, which is very similar to C/C++, and the Arduino can be enhanced with 'shields', which are modules that can be plugged into the Arduino main board to add functionality. This is your Quick Kickstart.
A good learning path would be to get familiar with the Arduino, then build your own AVR board (possibly a Linux device, like a joystick), then work with an ARM-based development kit, and finally move on to to building your own embedded linux board. You can skip a few steps if you don't mind a steep learning curve, or stop at any point along the way if a given level's capabilities satisfy your needs. You don't necessarily need a "huge amount of knowledge on electronics to run a program on a microcontroller", it's true, but you should understand some basic things like voltage and current before you try to light an LED or connect two devices.
Finally, you said in your question that you've installed the Keil IDE. While this is a fine and rather popular IDE, I'd suggest that you learn using a gcc-based command line toolchain. There are a staggering number of ways in which things that can go wrong when working with embedded systems, and an IDE adds a layer of magic on top of everything that happens. While this can be nice, I'm a strong advocate of minimizing the magic when trying to learn the system. You need to understand the low-level stuff when things don't work automagically. This advice doesn't apply when using the Arduino, which is designed to (and does) make all of the automagical stuff work well.
sparkfun.com has a lot of boards, arduino family and other. I recommend the armmite pro, the lillypad instead of the arduino pro because there is no soldering involved, for either you will need/want the correct usb to serial/power. The mbed2 costs a little more, the blue leds are brutal on the eyes, but easy to use. For none of the above are you required to play in their sandbox, you can use the canned environment, etc but not required.
if it is linux development you are after I recommend the hawkboard.org over the beagleboard.org, to make the beagleboard useable costs about twice as much as the board itself, the hawkboard is usable by only buying something to power it. But you can just learn linux drivers on your desktop/laptop and dont need to mess with embedded necessarily.
Emulators are a good start. Qemu is good stuff, emulates a number of processors, great for emulating virtual linux systems, learning linux driver development, etc. But getting visibility into what the (virtual/emulated) processor is doing is not the goal. I find it useful to have visibility. gdb includes a few emulators as well. mame is loaded with them, but like qemu designed for fast emulation and not for education. visual boy advance is good. Emulation is never perfect, so eventually you want to run on hardware, but emulators and compiler tools are free and you can learn quite a bit before you have to buy hardware. There is a considerable amount you cannot learn from an emulator though, loading your programs into flash/ram, debugging using jtag or other interfaces. i2c, spi, etc.