Just Released – Making Embedded Systems

In this article, Anand examines the release of Making Embedded Systems book by O’Reilly Media. Jewellery that monitors vital signs. Credit cards that only work when we touch them. Smart dust and nanobots. Personalized learning. Self-driving cars. For my readers, science fiction isn’t so far away from fact,” says author Elecia White.

Embedded systems control many devices in common use today, from digital watches and iPods to traffic lights and the systems controlling nuclear power plants. Since inefficiency isn’t tolerated, these systems require a disciplined approach to programming.

Making Embedded Systems helps you cultivate a host of good development practices, based on classic software design patterns and new patterns unique to embedded programming.

“Embedded systems are where the software meets the physical world,” White explains. “As we put tiny computers into all sorts of systems (door locks, airplanes, pacemakers), how we implement the software is truly, terrifyingly important.

Writing software for these things is more difficult than computer software because the systems have so few resources. Instead of building better software, the trend has been to allow a cowboy mentality of just getting it done.

We can do better than that. We must do better than that. Making Embedded Systems will show you how to:

• Optimize your system to reduce cost and increase performance
• Develop an architecture that makes your software robust in resource-constrained environments
• Explore sensors, motors, and other I/O devices
• Do more with less: reduce RAM consumption, code space, processor cycles, and power consumption
• Learn how to update embedded code directly in the processor
• Discover how to implement complex mathematics on small processors
• Understand what interviewers look for when you apply for an embedded systems job

Written by an expert who has created embedded systems ranging from urban surveillance and DNA scanners to children’s toys, this book is ideal for intermediate and experienced programmers, no matter what platform you use.

About the Author

Elecia White has worked on DNA scanners, inertial measurement units for airplanes and race cars, toys for preschoolers, a gunshot location system for catching criminals, and assorted other medical and consumer devices. She is the founder of Logical Elegance, an embedded systems consulting company based in San Jose. Elecia has developed strong skills in signal processing, hardware integration, complex system design, and performance. Having been through FAA and FDA certification processes, she understands the importance of producing quality designs and how they lead to quality implementations.

Elecia has spent several years in management roles but enjoys hands-on engineering and the thrill of delivering excellent products. While continuing to provide leadership and mentoring, she prefers to focus on the technical aspects of a project. A graduate of Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA, Elecia enjoys sharing her passion for science, engineering and interesting gizmos, particularly how these things can make the world a better place.

About the Book

Making Embedded Systems

Publisher: O’Reilly Media
Author: Elecia White
Print ISBN: 9781449302146 Â
Ebook ISBN: 9781449302139 Â
Pages: 328
Print Price: $39.99
Ebook Price: $31.99