Learning Embedded Systems from Scratch: A Comprehensive Learning Path

A detailed learning path for starting from scratch in embedded systems, covering fundamental knowledge, core skills, advanced directions, and practical projects, suitable for beginners to systematically master embedded development.

1. Foundation Stage: Basics of Electronics and Programming

Goal: Master the hardware fundamentals and programming languages required for embedded development.

1. Basics of Electronic Circuits

• Basic concepts of circuits: voltage, current, resistance, Ohm’s law
• Common components: resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, MOSFETs
• Basics of digital circuits: logic gates (AND/OR/NOT), binary and hexadecimal
• Tool usage: multimeter, oscilloscope, building simple circuits on a breadboard

C Language Programming

• Syntax basics: variables, data types, operators, control flow (if/for/while)
• Functions and pointers: function encapsulation, pointer operations, memory address concepts
• Data structures: arrays, structures, linked lists, queues
• Practical exercises: implementing a calculator, controlling LED strip lights

Computer Organization Principles

• CPU working principles (registers, ALU, instruction cycle)
• Types of memory: ROM, RAM, Flash
• Buses and interfaces: UART, SPI, I2C

2. Entry Stage: Microcontroller (MCU) Development

Goal: Familiarize with mainstream microcontrollers and master the development toolchain.

1. Microcontroller Basics

• Microcontroller architectures: 8051, STM32, ESP32 (recommended STM32)
• Setting up the development environment: Keil (51 microcontroller), STM32CubeIDE, PlatformIO (VS Code plugin)
• GPIO control: driving LEDs, buttons, buzzers

STM32 Practical Applications

• PWM control for motors/breathing lights
• ADC reading sensor data (temperature, light)
• Timers for precise delays

• Clock systems and interrupts: configuring SysTick timer, external interrupts
• Peripheral drivers:
• Debugging techniques: using ST-Link debugger, serial printing logs

Arduino Rapid Prototyping

• Using Arduino IDE and library function calls
• Sensor integration: ultrasonic distance measurement, DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor
• IoT applications: transmitting data via WiFi/Bluetooth

3. Advanced Stage: Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) and Communication Protocols

Goal: Master multitasking scheduling and complex communication protocols.

1. Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

• Basics of FreeRTOS: task creation, scheduling, message queues, semaphores
• Practical projects: multitasking control (e.g., processing sensor data and display simultaneously)
• Memory management: dynamic memory allocation and memory leak detection

Communication Protocols

• UART: implementing communication between MCU and PC (sending/receiving data)
• SPI and I2C: driving OLED screens, EEPROM storage
• CAN bus: automotive electronic communication protocol (requires CAN analyzer)
• Network protocols: MQTT (IoT), TCP/IP (ESP32 networking)

Embedded Linux Development (Optional)

• Embedded Linux systems: setting up Ubuntu cross-compilation environment
• Driver development: character device drivers (LED, buttons)
• Application layer development: using C/Python to control hardware

4. Hardware Design and Tools

Goal: Be able to independently design simple hardware circuits.

1. PCB Design

• Tool learning: Altium Designer or Lichuang EDA
• Schematic design: power modules, sensor interfaces
• PCB layout and routing: anti-interference design, generating Gerber files
• Board fabrication and soldering: using Jialichuang for board fabrication, manual soldering techniques

Sensors and Actuators

• Common sensors: gyroscope (MPU6050), barometer (BMP280)
• Motor control: stepper motors, DC motors (H-bridge driving)
• Display devices: LCD screens, TFT touch screens

5. Comprehensive Project Practice

Goal: Consolidate skills through complete projects and enhance engineering capabilities.

1. Smart Home Control System

• Functions: temperature and humidity monitoring, remote control of lights, fire alarm
• Technology stack: STM32 + ESP8266 (WiFi) + mobile app (MQTT)

Quadcopter (Drone)

• Core: flight control algorithms (PID tuning), MPU6050 attitude calculation
• Development platform: STM32F4 + PWM motor driver

Industrial Automation Project

• PLC alternative: STM32 + Modbus protocol (RS485 communication)
• Real-time monitoring: collecting data from multiple nodes via CAN bus

6. Advanced Expansion Directions

1. Advanced Embedded Linux

• Kernel trimming and porting: Uboot, Kernel, Rootfs
• Device Tree configuration
• Embedded GUI development: Qt for Embedded Linux

FPGA and Hardware Acceleration

• Basics of Verilog/VHDL: implementing logic gates, counters
• FPGA development tools: Vivado/Quartus
• Soft-core processors: using FPGA to implement custom CPUs

AI and Edge Computing

• TensorFlow Lite Micro: deploying image recognition models on MCUs
• Edge devices: Jetson Nano (Linux) or K210 (RISC-V) development

7. Recommended Learning Resources

1. Books

• “C Primer Plus”: Basics of C language
• “STM32 Library Development Practical Guide”: Comparison of registers and HAL library
• “Embedded Real-Time Operating Systems: RT-Thread Design and Implementation”

Online Courses

• MOOC: From Beginner to Mastering STM32
• Coursera: Embedded Systems Essentials (in English)

Communities and Tools

• Forums: Electronic Enthusiasts, CSDN, GitHub open-source projects
• Hardware platforms: STM32 development boards, Raspberry Pi, Arduino kits

8. Career Development Advice

1. Job Directions

• Embedded Software Engineer: Focus on driver development and system optimization
• Hardware Engineer: PCB design, circuit simulation
• IoT Engineer: Edge computing and cloud platform integration

Skill Expansion

• Learn Python automation testing scripts
• Master Git version control and continuous integration (CI/CD)

Job Preparation

• Resume focus: project experience, technical blog/GitHub
• Common interview questions: interrupt handling, memory management, RTOS principles

Core Learning Principles

1. From Simple to Complex: First master the 51 microcontroller, then transition to STM32 and Linux.
2. Theory and Practice Combined: Each knowledge point should be paired with hardware practice (e.g., lighting an LED before advancing to PWM dimming).
3. Open Source and Community: Participate in open-source projects (like RT-Thread) and learn from others’ code.

Through the above path, you can gradually master full-stack embedded development capabilities from hardware to software, ultimately being able to independently complete industrial-grade embedded system design and development.

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