The human-machine interface (HMI) is growing in consumer as well as industrial applications ranging from lighting to HVAC to digital signage. There are many HMI solutions, including the ones that use buttons, sliders, wheels, capacitive proximity sensing, and even human voice. There are tools and kits available that simplify the fine-tuning of HMI designs. What’s […]
AI inference on MCUs? Yes, with development kits
The microcontroller, the most widely deployed computing platform, is ready to welcome the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. Really? For a start, MCUs don’t have enough storage space needed to hold the neural network-based trained models, and they don’t have enough RAM to carry out inference operations based on these models. Microcontrollers are known for limited […]
Cloud connectivity in IoT, Part 2: How to secure data links
If the Internet of Things (IoT) is about connecting objects like a thermostat or a pacemaker to the Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks, then it’s even more about securing links to these objects. And that includes implementing security while connecting IoT devices to a cloud platform. The good news is that securing links to the cloud […]
Cloud connectivity in IoT, Part 1: How communication works
Cloud connectivity, a fundamental part of the majority of the Internet of Things (IoT) projects, is intertwined with expertise in embedded systems and software integration. That’s why MCU suppliers are working closely with cloud service providers to develop integrated hardware and software solutions that enable IoT developers to establish an edge-to-cloud connection using out-of-the-box solutions […]
Embedded basics Part 3: Functional safety documentation and terminology
Functional safety compliance is often a time-consuming and expensive process. That, in turn, underscores the role of documentation in efficiently implementing the functional safety guidelines. So, designers need full documentation to support the development of functional safety-enabled embedded systems. It includes safety manuals that document all the information for integrating functional safety-enabled MCUs into the […]
Embedded basics Part 2: ISO 26262 functional safety for MCUs
Functional safety, a critical requirement in automotive applications, addresses catastrophic failures from data corruption by attaining Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASILs) as per ISO 26262 standard. Contrary to the common perception that only large and powerful system-on-chips (SoCs) incorporate functional safety built around the ISO 26262 standard, MCUs for the next-generation car architectures are increasingly […]
Embedded basics Part 1: IEC 61508 functional safety for MCUs
Functional safety is becoming one of the most important features in embedded systems, especially in the automotive and industrial markets, where safety and reliability are critical design attributes. It encompasses the development of a Safety Integrity Level (SIL) according to IEC 61508 functional safety standard for the general industry and an Automotive Safety Integrity Level […]
Four major design considerations for IoT apps secure boot
Secure boot, the first line of defense against security breaches in embedded systems, verifies the pre-boot authentication of system firmware using a root-of-trust service and thus safeguards code and data to prevent malicious activities. It’s a critical security measure to protect connected devices like the Internet of Things (IoT) endpoints because most security breaches such […]
Three RTOS basics: What, when and how
While real-time operating system (RTOS) software is becoming a key feature in the out-of-box support for embedded systems built around MCUs, the overall concept of RTOS is still muddy for many design engineers. So, here is the when and why RTOS solutions are needed in embedded designs. But, before that, what is RTOS anyway, especially […]
The AI-enabled MCUs: Basic design venues
What has the tiny microcontroller got to do with the mighty artificial intelligence (AI) world and its technology offshoots like machine learning and deep learning? After all, the AI designs have mostly been associated with powerful CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs. Right? While this notion is not far from reality, it’s quickly changing with AI’s journey […]
