Exploring optical and magnetic sensors by Stuart Ball
Sensors help microprocessor-based systems find their bearings. Where would embedded systems be without them?
State machine shortcuts by Michael Kreiman
A subset of the UML statechart notation leads to relatively simple code implementations. This article will show you which subset to use and how to go about it.
Sampling rates for analog sensors by David Stewart
Why use trial-and-error methods to determine sampling rates when you can use science and mathematics? Here are the details of a simple procedure that makes more sense.
IPv6 on a microcontroller by Robert Muchsel
One of the driving forces behind the move from IPv4 to IPv6 has been low-cost embedded devices, which are going online at an accelerating pace. But shoehorning the full IPv6 suite of protocols into a small 8-bit microcontroller is an extreme sport of the first order. Here are some tips from someone who's done that successfully.
#include Smart sensors by Michael Barr
Even components as seemingly mundane as sensors can be made more interesting with a local processor and firmware. Smart sensors can automate the removal of offset and gain errors as well as nonlinearities from raw sensor readings. These capabilities and others eliminate the need for custom post-processing at the main processor.
Murphy's Law Is Linux worth the effort? by Niall Murphy
If your embedded system doesn't need networking and storage, porting Linux to your hardware may not be worth the effort.
Beginner's Corner Introduction to fuzzy control by Dan Simon
Fuzzy logic is a tool to help you control complex systems.
Programming Pointers
More on enumerations by Dan Saks
Here are some additional tips for using enumerations as loop counters and for displaying enumeration names.
Significant Bits Ten lies about microprocessors by Jim Turley
Processor selection too often turns into a religious war. Debunking the dominant myths is the first step towards making a rational choice.
Break Points Feedback matters by Jack G. Ganssle
Feedback stabilizes all sorts of systems, even engineering teams and projects. That's why postmortems matter.
