There are two basic types of memory: volatile and non-volatile. Volatile memory loses its content and becomes a blank slate whenever power is completely removed. However, volatile memory doesn’t need much power and can maintain its contents with a small battery. Non-volatile memory retains its contents even if power is completely removed. SRAM and DRAM […]
FAQ
A look at the computer engineering stack
The embedded world looks a lot like the computing world as technology evolves, so it’s worth taking a look at the full computer engineering stack. This kind of stack refers to the structures built on top of each other that combine to form computers, not the memory register stack that processors use and can sometimes […]
PCIe in the embedded world
PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express), also known as PCIe, is a high-speed serial bus standard that is better known in IT circles for use with personal computers and servers, but PCIe is used in embedded systems, as well. As the line between high-performance computing and embedded systems blurs, embedded systems require operating systems as […]
Selecting an LED and finding the correct size resistor
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are diodes that emit light when energized. LEDs can light a room now, whereas for decades they had been too weak to do much more than act as indicators. LEDs are fun to play with, and a fairly safe way to introduce kids to principles of circuits. There’s just a few […]
Wireless and MCUs: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Zigbee?
Most of the things in the Internet of Things (IoT) will include processors, sensors, and a wireless communication path to the Internet, and all likely will be limited to a small power budget. Which one should you use? Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ZigBee are different wireless communication protocols that are often accessible as modules for easy […]
MCUs & Dev Boards: saving power by the microAmp
A previous article about optimizing power efficiency in microcontrollers concentrated on optimizing code and using low power MCUs from manufacturers. A closer look at power saving techniques in hardware is in order, however, if you need to squeeze every drop out of an MCU that can’t be traded in for a lower-power model. Components: Many […]
What is an embedded bootloader?
Anyone who has turned on a computer might be familiar with the boot-up sequence as computer flashes lines of text on screen before the Windows logo appears. What you are seeing is a bootloader in action, loading essential software to get the minimum running on the processor chip before higher-level software can run. Embedded bootloaders […]
What is an open drain on a FET device and how is it used?
If you are working with an integrated circuit (IC) and the datasheet mentions an open drain or open collector, that’s engineering speak for a current sink on an output pin. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, a “current sink” means that the current is flowing into the pin (or node, etc.), not out of the […]
Board Support Package: what is it?
When designing a new system, you might find yourself drawn to a new processor with features that can make a real difference in the final product. Most semiconductor vendors will provide an evaluation board that you can use to evaluate whether or not you want to invest your time and money into that particular processor […]
Accurately measure power consumption with Kelvin configuration
How do you accurately measure power consumption when the leads of your multimeter add resistance to your measurement? How do you accurately measure the resistance of a device that’s low, (e.g., less than 10 ohms) when the leads of your multimeter add resistance? One way to get a more accurate reading is to use the […]
