Getting Started With CUDA C on an Nvidia Jetson: GPU Architecture
In the previous blog post (Getting Started With CUDA C on Jetson Nvidia: Hello CUDA World!) I showed how to develop applications targeted at a GPU on a Nvidia Jetson Nano. As we observed in that blog post, performing a calculation on a 1-D array on a GPU had no performance benefit compared to a traditional CPU implementation, even on an array with many elements. In this blog post, we will learn about the GPU architecture to better explain the behavior and to understand the applications where a GPU shines (hint: it has to do with graphics).
Make Your Own MCU Boards (2023 Teardown Conference)
Ditch the development boards! Products like the Nucleo development boards serve a wonderful purpose, but they’re ill-suited for projects that need to be small and cheap, such as hobby projects or products just beginning a production run. In this talk (a recording from the 2023 Teardown Conference), you’ll learn how to put a microcontroller or other custom circuit on a PCB a little larger than a stick of gum for less than $3 a board.
Creating a GPIO HAL and Driver in C
Creating a GPIO Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) in C allows for flexible microcontroller interfacing, overcoming the challenge of variability across silicon vendors. This method involves reviewing datasheets, identifying features, designing interfaces, and iterative development, as detailed in the "Reusable Firmware" process. A simplified approach prioritizes essential functions like initialization and read/write operations, showcased through a minimal interface example. The post also highlights the use of AI to expedite HAL generation. A detailed GPIO HAL version is provided, featuring extended capabilities and facilitating driver connection through direct assignments or wrappers. The significance of a configuration table for adaptable peripheral setup is emphasized. Ultimately, the blog illustrates the ease and scalability of developing a GPIO HAL and driver in C, promoting hardware-independent and extensible code for various interfaces, such as SPI, I2C, PWM, and timers, underscoring the abstraction benefits.
Software is free and can right any wrong
Software changes are so much easier than hardware modifications, so the temptation is always to take this approach to fixing bugs. This may not always be a good idea.
3 Overlooked Embedded Software Elements
Jacob Beningo points out three often-overlooked elements that can make embedded projects less painful and faster to ship. He highlights model-generated code for off-target iteration, configuration-generated code to manage SKUs and avoid fragile conditional compilation, and automated test harnesses to catch regressions early. The post gives practical reasons to consider each approach and how they fit into modern embedded DevOps.
VolksEEG Project: Initial Hardware Architecture
The VolksEEG prototype pairs an Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Sense MCU with an ADS1299 analog front end, organized into non-isolated and isolated domains to protect patients. The post explains why isolation is required, which chips bridge the domains, and why simple, high-level power and signal diagrams help clarify the KiCad schematics for engineers and reviewers.
Introducing The VolksEEG Project
VolksEEG is an open-source effort to build an FDA-cleared clinical EEG and publish every design so others can manufacture it. The volunteer-driven project centers on the TI ADS1299 8-channel, 24-bit biopotential ADC and combines medical and electrical engineering expertise to confront regulatory, safety, and usability challenges. This blog series will document technical decisions, isolation and safety concerns, and ways engineers can contribute.
Video-Based STEM Embedded Systems Curriculum, Part 1
This curriculum shows how to teach introductory embedded systems using free online videos and low-cost kits, suitable for middle-school, high-school, college, or adult learners. It packages curated educator recommendations, a per-student equipment and book list, essential free software, and core lesson topics like Arduino, MicroPython, Kicad board design, soldering, and RTOS basics. The approach stresses hands-on labs, safety, backups, mentorship, and adapting to local budgets.
Review: Prototype to Product
Alan Cohen's Prototype to Product is a practical systems engineering playbook for anyone taking an embedded idea to market. The review emphasizes uncovering surprises early, disciplined planning, and cross-discipline collaboration across electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing domains. It highlights concrete topics such as prototyping, DFM/DFA, staged testing, and regulatory considerations that help avoid costly late-stage rework.
Off the shelf availability of Custom IoT Gateway
Choosing the right gateway can make or break an IoT deployment, yet industrial gateways are often expensive and generic. This post walks through practical criteria for off-the-shelf and custom gateways, covering edge computing trade-offs, mainframe versus embedded Linux, SoC and ADC choices, interfacing and debugging needs, and when to design your own hardware for real-time or protocol demands.
Metal detection: building the detector
Fabien Le Mentec turns a bench-validated BFO stage into a field-ready metal detector using scavenged parts and straightforward fabrication. He moves the circuit from breadboard to a through-hole prototyping PCB, swaps the Arduino Nano for a lower-power Mini, and builds an ABS control box with buttons and a buzzer. The build uses a 2S LiPo pack with a 5V LDO and a nonmagnetic coil mount, with practical notes on tradeoffs and safety.
3 Overlooked Embedded Software Elements
Jacob Beningo points out three often-overlooked elements that can make embedded projects less painful and faster to ship. He highlights model-generated code for off-target iteration, configuration-generated code to manage SKUs and avoid fragile conditional compilation, and automated test harnesses to catch regressions early. The post gives practical reasons to consider each approach and how they fit into modern embedded DevOps.
Here Comes The Noise!
Noise. That awful thing which nobody wants that most sadly never learn about. It's time to change that with this blog post.
Basic hand tools for electronics assembly
Though the software tools vary with different microcontrollers, many hardware tools are the same.
OOKLONE: a cheap RF 433.92MHz OOK frame cloner
Fabien Le Mentec built a pocket device that listens to and clones 433.92MHz OOK frames, automating the tedious reverse engineering of cheap wireless outlets. The prototype uses a Moteino with an RFM69 to sample demodulated OOK data, stores pulse durations in SRAM, and replays frames; the code and hardware notes are available on GitHub along with limitations and next steps.
A wireless door monitor based on the BANO framework
Fabien Le Mentec built a battery-powered wireless door monitor and a reusable node framework called BANO to monitor doors across seven floors without wired links. The post highlights BANO's 17-byte key,value protocol, the node runtime that enables wake-on-interrupt low-power operation, and practical RF choices like the NRF905 plus a 330 µF cap to handle coin-cell transmission peaks. It includes source, PCB, and base station notes.
Review: Prototype to Product
Alan Cohen's Prototype to Product is a practical systems engineering playbook for anyone taking an embedded idea to market. The review emphasizes uncovering surprises early, disciplined planning, and cross-discipline collaboration across electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing domains. It highlights concrete topics such as prototyping, DFM/DFA, staged testing, and regulatory considerations that help avoid costly late-stage rework.
VolksEEG Project: Initial Hardware Architecture
The VolksEEG prototype pairs an Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Sense MCU with an ADS1299 analog front end, organized into non-isolated and isolated domains to protect patients. The post explains why isolation is required, which chips bridge the domains, and why simple, high-level power and signal diagrams help clarify the KiCad schematics for engineers and reviewers.
Improving the Reload2 active load
Fabien Le Mentec takes a low-cost Reload2 active load and turns it into a programmable test tool. By swapping the manual setpoint for a Teensy 3.1 DAC and replacing the op-amp with a chopper amplifier, he gets software-controlled current profiles and lowers the minimum load current to about 7 mA. It is a practical hack for testing power supplies and Ethernet-powered boards under realistic startup and sleep conditions.
Software is free and can right any wrong
Software changes are so much easier than hardware modifications, so the temptation is always to take this approach to fixing bugs. This may not always be a good idea.
Improving the Reload2 active load
Fabien Le Mentec takes a low-cost Reload2 active load and turns it into a programmable test tool. By swapping the manual setpoint for a Teensy 3.1 DAC and replacing the op-amp with a chopper amplifier, he gets software-controlled current profiles and lowers the minimum load current to about 7 mA. It is a practical hack for testing power supplies and Ethernet-powered boards under realistic startup and sleep conditions.
A simple working I2C (TWI) level shifter
When interfacing 3.3V and 5V boards, Dr Cagri Tanriover shows a no-fuss MOSFET solution to keep I2C talking across voltages. The post walks through using the NXP MOSFET level-shifter idea with BS170 transistors and 10 kΩ pull-ups, notes it ran at 400 kbps for his setup, and includes a quick four-step test to verify the build before connecting microcontrollers.
Video-Based STEM Embedded Systems Curriculum, Part 1
This curriculum shows how to teach introductory embedded systems using free online videos and low-cost kits, suitable for middle-school, high-school, college, or adult learners. It packages curated educator recommendations, a per-student equipment and book list, essential free software, and core lesson topics like Arduino, MicroPython, Kicad board design, soldering, and RTOS basics. The approach stresses hands-on labs, safety, backups, mentorship, and adapting to local budgets.
Metal detection: building the detector
Fabien Le Mentec turns a bench-validated BFO stage into a field-ready metal detector using scavenged parts and straightforward fabrication. He moves the circuit from breadboard to a through-hole prototyping PCB, swaps the Arduino Nano for a lower-power Mini, and builds an ABS control box with buttons and a buzzer. The build uses a 2S LiPo pack with a 5V LDO and a nonmagnetic coil mount, with practical notes on tradeoffs and safety.
Deeply embedded design example - Logic replacement
Gene Breniman shows how a tiny PIC10F200 can replace a forest of discrete timing components to control six 10A H-bridges, letting firmware tune sequencing to cut EMI and reduce cost. He walks through analyzing the original RC/inverter delays, choosing the PIC, pinout and timer setup, and implementing compact assembly firmware that reproduces and improves the timing behavior. The result is fewer parts, saved board space, and better EMI control.
Breaking AES with an Oscilloscope
AES is a powerful encryption algorithm that protects some our most important secrets. But did you know that many devices are inadvertently leaking the value of their private key through their power pins?! Join me in this special preview of my upcoming workshop at the Embedded Systems Summit (14-16 October 2025 in San Jose, CA) as we explore the world of hardware security and discover just how easy it could be to break AES encryption with only an oscilloscope and some math.
3 Overlooked Embedded Software Elements
Jacob Beningo points out three often-overlooked elements that can make embedded projects less painful and faster to ship. He highlights model-generated code for off-target iteration, configuration-generated code to manage SKUs and avoid fragile conditional compilation, and automated test harnesses to catch regressions early. The post gives practical reasons to consider each approach and how they fit into modern embedded DevOps.
Here Comes The Noise!
Noise. That awful thing which nobody wants that most sadly never learn about. It's time to change that with this blog post.
How to Design Reliable Reset Circuits for Embedded Microcontrollers
In the world of embedded systems, the reset circuit is a critical component that ensures the microcontroller starts up correctly and recovers gracefully from unexpected events like power fluctuations or software crashes. A poorly designed reset circuit can lead to erratic behavior, system lockups, or even permanent damage to the microcontroller. For embedded engineers, designing a reliable reset circuit is essential for ensuring the stability and robustness of the system.
Introducing The VolksEEG Project
VolksEEG is an open-source effort to build an FDA-cleared clinical EEG and publish every design so others can manufacture it. The volunteer-driven project centers on the TI ADS1299 8-channel, 24-bit biopotential ADC and combines medical and electrical engineering expertise to confront regulatory, safety, and usability challenges. This blog series will document technical decisions, isolation and safety concerns, and ways engineers can contribute.
