For technology enthusiasts aspiring to enter the field of embedded development, understanding and preparing the relevant tools and equipment is an important first step in embarking on this journey.
This article will provide a detailed introduction to the essential tools and equipment in the process of embedded development.
Development Tools
1. Development Boards
Development boards are the core hardware platform for embedded development. There are many types of development boards available on the market.
For example, there are STM32 development boards based on ARM architecture, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black, etc.
STM32 development boards are widely used in industrial control, smart homes, and other fields due to their rich peripheral interfaces, high processing power, and low cost. Raspberry Pi, with its powerful multimedia processing capabilities and rich open-source resources, has emerged in new fields such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.
BeagleBone Black has excellent real-time processing capabilities and networking functions, making it 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 verification of various embedded system functions and performance.
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 frequency, amplitude, and phase of the signals. In embedded development, oscilloscopes are commonly used to observe the clock signals of microcontrollers, data bus signals, and various sensor output analog signals.
For example, when debugging a sensor module based on SPI interface, the oscilloscope can clearly display the waveform of the SPI clock signal and data transmission signal, allowing for the assessment of whether data transmission is correct and whether there are signal interference issues. When selecting an oscilloscope, considerations include bandwidth and sampling rate; generally, an oscilloscope with a bandwidth of 100MHz to 500MHz can meet most needs for embedded development.
Brands like Tektronix and Agilent have a good reputation and wide applications in the market.
3. Logic Analyzer
The logic analyzer is mainly used for analyzing digital signals. It can simultaneously capture signals from multiple digital channels and display the timing relationships of the signals in an intuitive graphical format. In embedded systems, logic analyzers are very useful for debugging complex digital circuits, such as bus communications and state machines.
For instance, when debugging a system that communicates over 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 are important performance parameters of the logic analyzer, 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 any short circuits or open circuits between components. For some simple circuit debugging tasks, the multimeter often provides 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 of different frequencies, and the oscilloscope can observe the output signals of the filter to evaluate its performance. 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 communications 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 Bluetooth wireless modules, the spectrum analyzer can be used to check whether the frequency spectrum of the Bluetooth signal complies with 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 devices powered by batteries, the electronic load can simulate different load conditions to measure the output voltage, current, power, and other parameters of the power supply, evaluating its stability and efficiency.
Software Development Tools
1. Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
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 functions such as code editing, compiling, and debugging.
Taking Keil as an example, it is deeply optimized for ARM microcontrollers and has strong code auto-completion and syntax checking functions, as well as an integrated 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, catering to different architecture and platform development needs.
2. Cross Compiler
Since the target hardware of embedded systems usually has a different architecture than the development host, a cross compiler is required. The cross compiler can generate executable code suitable for the target embedded hardware (such as ARM architecture) on the development host (such as x86 architecture PC).
For example, 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 download them to the development board for debugging and execution using debugging tools.
GCC compiler is also one of the commonly used cross-compilation tools, known for its good cross-platform capabilities and support for various 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 of target hardware.
The debugger allows developers to set breakpoints, step through code, and view variable values during program execution. During development, when errors or exceptions occur, the debugger helps developers quickly locate the line of code where the problem resides and analyze the changes in variable values to find solutions to the problems.
For example, using the ST-Link debugger with Keil IDE allows for convenient debugging of STM32 development boards. The J-Link debugger excels in supporting the debugging of chips with various architectures, offering high-speed and stable debugging performance.
4. Version Control System
In embedded development projects, version control systems like Git are very important. They help developers manage code version iterations, record code modification history, and facilitate collaborative development among team members.
Through 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 Git-based code hosting and team collaboration.
5. Code Static Analysis Tools
Code static analysis tools like Coverity, Cppcheck, etc., can analyze source code without running 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 discover defects in the code 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, reducing workload during later debugging and testing processes.
Other Auxiliary Devices and Tools
A stable and reliable power supply is essential for the normal operation of embedded development hardware. During development, it is necessary to choose appropriate power supply devices based on the power requirements of the development board and peripherals. Generally, development boards require a stable DC voltage, such as 3.3V or 5V. The power supply’s output current capacity must also meet the system’s requirements, especially when connecting multiple peripherals, to ensure that the power supply can provide sufficient current. Additionally, high-precision, low-noise power supplies are very important for projects with high quality requirements, such as in audio processing and sensor measurement applications. Linear power supplies have low noise and high stability, making them suitable for applications requiring high purity of power supply; switching power supplies, on the other hand, have high efficiency and are 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 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 be used not only for the initial programming of chips but also for reprogramming when chips malfunction or need to update programs.
For example, during the mass production of embedded devices, programmers can quickly and in bulk write programs to chips, improving production efficiency.
3. Soldering Tools
In embedded development, soldering work is often required, such as soldering components onto development boards and making PCB prototypes.
A quality soldering toolset includes a soldering iron, solder wire, tweezers, etc. The power of the soldering iron should be selected based on the soldering task requirements; generally, a 30W – 60W soldering iron is sufficient for ordinary electronic component soldering. The quality of solder wire also affects the soldering effect; high-quality solder wire has good fluidity and soldering strength. Tweezers are used to hold tiny components, facilitating the soldering operation.
For some complex soldering tasks, such as soldering SMD components, specialized tools like hot air guns may also be needed.
Hakko brand soldering irons are favored by many soldering engineers for their good 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 heat dissipation design and preventing overheating damage.
The thermal imaging camera can quickly and intuitively display temperature differences on the surface of devices, helping developers identify potential thermal issues, such as improperly installed heat sinks or overheating chips, and take timely corrective actions.
5. ESD Equipment
Embedded development involves a large number of electronic components, which are very sensitive to static electricity. ESD 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 for placing components and tools, and use anti-static tweezers to hold components, ensuring that the entire development process is in a static-protected 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, while being easy to carry and store. When going out for on-site debugging or participating in technical events, a portable toolbox ensures that developers can use the required tools at any time.
Embedded development requires the coordination of various tools and equipment. From hardware development tools such as 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 technicians looking to enter the field of embedded development, familiarizing themselves with and mastering the use of these tools and equipment is key to improving development efficiency and project success rates.
We hope this article can provide useful references for everyone in choosing and preparing embedded development tools, helping everyone move smoothly along the path of embedded development.
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