Essential Tools and Devices for Embedded Development

For technology enthusiasts aspiring to enter the field of embedded development, understanding and preparing the relevant tools and devices is an important step in starting this journey.

This article will detail the indispensable tools and devices in the embedded development process.

Development Tools

1. Development Boards

The development board is the core hardware platform for embedded development. There are many types of development boards available on the market.

For example, ARM architecture-based STM32 development boards, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black, etc.

STM32 development boards are widely used in industrial control, smart home, and other fields due to their rich peripheral interfaces, high-performance processing capabilities, and low cost. Raspberry Pi, with its powerful multimedia processing capabilities and rich open-source resources, has emerged in the fields of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.

BeagleBone Black has excellent real-time processing capabilities and network functions, suitable for projects with high requirements for network connectivity and data processing.

Development boards provide developers with a basic environment for hardware testing and software development, allowing for quick validation of various embedded system functions and performance.

Essential Tools and Devices for Embedded Development

2. Oscilloscope

The oscilloscope is a key tool for debugging hardware circuits. It can display the waveform of electrical signals in real-time, helping developers detect parameters such as signal frequency, amplitude, and phase. In embedded development, oscilloscopes are often used to observe the clock signals of microcontrollers, data bus signals, and analog signals output by various sensors.

For example, when debugging a sensor module based on the SPI interface, the oscilloscope can clearly display the waveform of the SPI clock signal and data transmission signal, allowing developers to determine whether the data transmission is correct and whether there is signal interference. When selecting an oscilloscope, factors such as bandwidth and sampling rate need to be considered. Generally, for embedded development, oscilloscopes with a bandwidth of 100MHz – 500MHz can meet most needs.

Brands like Tektronix and Agilent have a good reputation and wide application in the market.

3. Logic Analyzer

The logic analyzer is primarily used to analyze digital signals. It can simultaneously capture signals from multiple digital channels and display the timing relationships of the signals in an intuitive graphical manner. In embedded systems, logic analyzers are very useful for debugging complex digital circuits, such as bus communication and state machines.

For example, when debugging a system that communicates using the I2C bus, the logic analyzer can capture the start signal, address signal, data signal, and acknowledgment signal of the I2C bus. By analyzing the timing of these signals, developers can quickly locate the cause of communication errors. The number of channels, sampling depth, and sampling frequency of the logic analyzer are important performance parameters, and developers can choose based on actual project needs.

Saleae Logic series logic analyzers are favored by many developers for their ease of use and high sampling rates.

4. Multimeter

The multimeter is one of the most commonly used basic measurement tools. It can measure various electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and resistance. In embedded development, multimeters are used for preliminary circuit testing and troubleshooting.

For example, after soldering a circuit, a multimeter can be used to check whether the power supply voltage is normal and whether there are short circuits or open circuits between components. For some simple circuit debugging tasks, a multimeter can often provide quick and effective assistance. Fluke multimeters are known for their high precision and stability in the industry.

5. Signal Generator

The signal generator can produce various types of electrical signals, such as sine waves, square waves, and triangular waves. In embedded development, it can be used to test how circuits respond to different signals. For example, when debugging a filter circuit, the signal generator can provide input signals at different frequencies, and the output signals of the filter can be observed with an oscilloscope to evaluate the performance of the filter. Some advanced signal generators can also produce complex modulated signals to meet the testing needs of special fields such as communication systems.

6. Spectrum Analyzer

The spectrum analyzer is used to analyze the spectral components of signals. In embedded projects involving wireless communication and audio processing, the spectrum analyzer can help developers understand the frequency distribution of signals and detect issues such as spurious signals and harmonic distortion.

For example, when developing a Bluetooth wireless module, the spectrum analyzer can be used to check whether the frequency spectrum of the Bluetooth signal meets standard specifications, ensuring normal communication and anti-interference capabilities of the module.

7. Electronic Load

The electronic load is primarily used to test the output characteristics of power supplies or batteries. In embedded systems, when developing power management modules or testing battery-powered devices, the electronic load can simulate different load conditions and measure parameters such as output voltage, current, and power, evaluating the stability and efficiency of the power supply.

Software Development Tools

1. Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

The IDE is the core tool for embedded software development. Common embedded IDEs include Keil, IAR Embedded Workbench, Eclipse, etc. These IDEs provide one-stop development features such as code editing, compilation, and debugging.

For example, Keil is deeply optimized for ARM microcontrollers, boasting powerful code auto-completion and syntax checking features, and integrates a debugger for convenient online debugging of target hardware.

Developers write C or C++ code in the IDE, then configure the compiler and linker to generate executable files that can be downloaded to the development board for execution.

Eclipse, with its rich plugin ecosystem, supports the integration of various embedded development toolchains, suitable for different architectures and platform development needs.

2. Cross Compiler

Due to the differences in architecture between the target hardware of embedded systems and the development host, a cross compiler is needed. The cross compiler can generate executable code suitable for target embedded hardware (such as ARM architecture) on the development host (such as an x86 architecture PC).

For example, the ARM – GNU – Toolchain is a widely used ARM cross-compilation toolchain that includes compilers, assemblers, linkers, and other tools. Developers use the cross compiler to compile the source program into binary files that the target hardware can recognize and execute, and then use debugging tools to download it to the development board for debugging and execution.

The GCC compiler is also a commonly used cross-compilation tool, known for its good cross-platform capabilities and support for multiple programming languages.

3. Debugger

The debugger is an indispensable software tool in embedded development. It works with hardware debugging interfaces (such as JTAG, SWD, etc.) to achieve online debugging functions for target hardware.

The debugger allows developers to set breakpoints, step through code, and view variable values during program execution. When errors or exceptions occur during development, the debugger can help developers quickly locate the line of code where the problem lies and analyze variable changes to find solutions.

For example, using the ST-Link debugger with Keil IDE allows for convenient debugging of the STM32 development board. The J-Link debugger excels in supporting debugging for various architectures, offering high-speed and stable debugging performance.

4. Version Control System

In embedded development projects, version control systems such as Git are very important. They help developers manage code version iterations, record code modification history, and facilitate collaboration among team members.

With Git, developers can create different branches for feature development and testing, merging branches into the main branch at appropriate times to ensure code stability and traceability.

Platforms like GitHub and GitLab provide convenient services for code hosting and team collaboration based on Git.

5. Static Code Analysis Tools

Static code analysis tools such as Coverity and Cppcheck can analyze source code without executing it, checking for potential errors, vulnerabilities, and violations of coding standards. In embedded development, due to the high quality and safety requirements of the code, using these tools can help identify code defects early, improving code reliability.

For example, Coverity can detect common C/C++ code issues such as null pointer dereferences, array out-of-bounds, and memory leaks, helping developers fix them in a timely manner and reducing workload during later debugging and testing processes.

Other Auxiliary Devices and Tools

1. Power Supply

A stable and reliable power supply is essential for the normal operation of embedded development hardware. During development, it is necessary to select appropriate power supply devices according to the power requirements of the development board and peripherals. Generally, development boards require stable DC voltages, such as 3.3V or 5V. The output current capacity of the power supply must also meet system requirements, especially when connecting multiple peripherals, ensuring that the power supply can provide sufficient current. Additionally, high-precision, low-noise power supplies are very important for projects with high power quality requirements, such as in audio processing and sensor measurement applications. Linear power supplies are characterized by low noise and high stability, suitable for scenarios requiring high power purity; switching power supplies have higher efficiency, suitable for projects with size and efficiency requirements.

2. Programmer

The programmer is used to write compiled program code into the flash memory or other storage media of the target chip. For some chips that do not support online debugging and programming, the programmer is an essential tool. Common programmers include ST-Link, J-Link, AVRISP, etc.

These programmers can not only be used for initial programming of chips but also for reprogramming when chips fail or need program updates.

For example, during mass production of embedded devices, programmers can quickly and in bulk write programs into chips, improving production efficiency.

3. Soldering Tools

In embedded development, circuit soldering work is often required, such as soldering components onto development boards and making PCB prototypes.

A quality soldering toolset includes soldering irons, solder wire, tweezers, etc. The power of the soldering iron should be chosen according to the soldering task requirements; generally, a 30W – 60W soldering iron is sufficient for ordinary electronic component soldering. The quality of solder wire also affects soldering results; high-quality solder wire has good fluidity and soldering strength. Tweezers are used to hold small components, facilitating soldering operations.

For some complex soldering tasks, such as soldering SMD components, specialized tools like hot air guns may be needed.

The Hakko brand soldering irons are favored by many soldering engineers for their excellent temperature control performance.

4. Thermal Imaging Camera

The thermal imaging camera can be used in embedded development to detect the temperature distribution of hardware devices. In high-power chips or long-running systems, understanding the heat generation of chips and circuits is crucial for optimizing thermal design and preventing overheating damage.

The thermal imaging camera can quickly and intuitively display temperature differences on device surfaces, helping developers identify potential thermal issues such as improper heat sink installation or chip overheating and take timely corrective actions.

5. Anti-static Equipment

Embedded development involves many electronic components that are very sensitive to static electricity. Anti-static equipment such as anti-static wrist straps, anti-static mats, and anti-static tweezers can effectively prevent static electricity from damaging electronic components. When handling electronic components, developers should wear anti-static wrist straps and ground them, use anti-static mats to place components and tools, and use anti-static tweezers to hold components, ensuring that the entire development process is in a static-protective environment.

6. Toolbox

A suitable toolbox can conveniently store and organize various tools. The toolbox should have a reasonable layout to accommodate soldering irons, oscilloscope probes, screwdrivers, pliers, and other tools, and be easy to carry and store. When going out for on-site debugging or participating in technical activities, a portable toolbox can ensure that developers can use the required tools at any time.

Embedded development requires the collaborative use of various tools and devices. From hardware development tools like development boards, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers to software development tools like IDEs, cross compilers, and debuggers, as well as auxiliary devices like power supplies, programmers, and soldering tools,

each tool plays an important role in different stages of embedded development. For those looking to enter the field of embedded development, familiarizing themselves with and mastering the usage of these tools and devices is key to enhancing development efficiency and project success rates.

We hope this article can provide useful references for everyone in choosing and preparing embedded development tools, helping you progress smoothly along the path of embedded development.

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