9. Embedded programming

Program the Board

The Arduino integrated development environment (IDE) is a cross-platform application (for Windows, macOS, Linux) that is written in the programming language Java. It is used to write and upload programs to Arduino compatible boards, but also, with the help of 3rd party cores, other vendor development boards. The source code for the IDE is released under the GNU General Public License, version 2. The Arduino IDE supports the languages C and C++ using special rules of code structuring.

Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a freeware source-code editor made by Microsoft for Windows, Linux and macOS.Features include support for debugging, syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, snippets, code refactoring, and embedded Git. Users can change the theme, keyboard shortcuts, preferences, and install extensions that add additional functionality.

Microcontroller

Microcontroller is a integrated group of a microprocessor, memory, IO (Input/Output) and other peripherals on one single chip. They come with different data bus sizes: 4, 8, 16 and 32 bits.

Architectures Classification

Memory classification:
-Von-Neuman Architecture: program and data are in the same memory, instructions and data are fetched over the same data bus. Two fetches are needed to execute an instruction (one to get the instruction, one to get (or put) the data).
-Harvard Architecture: program and data are in separate memories, data bus and instruction bus are separate, can be operated at the same time. Next instruction is fetched while current instruction operates on the data bus. This pre-fetching speeds up processing by a factor of two (except when branching).

Memory classification:

-CISC: Complex Instruction Set Computer - often have over 80 instructions in the instruction set.
- Reduced Instruction Set Computer - Fewer instructions, better performance, smaller chip, lower power consumption.

Popular Microcontrollers

Common MCUs include the Intel MCS-51, often referred to as an 8051 microcontroller, which was first developed in 1985; the AVR microcontroller developed by Atmel in 1996; the programmable interface controller (PIC) from Microchip Technology; and various licensed ARM microcontrollers. A number of companies manufacture and sell microcontrollers, including NXP Semiconductor, Renesas Electronics, Silicon Labs and Texas Instruments.