Book Image

Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems

By : Jim Ledin
4 (1)
Book Image

Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems

4 (1)
By: Jim Ledin

Overview of this book

Modern digital devices used in homes, cars, and wearables contain highly sophisticated computing capabilities composed of embedded systems that generate, receive, and process digital data streams at rates up to multiple gigabits per second. This book will show you how to use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and high-speed digital circuit design to create your own cutting-edge digital systems. Architecting High-Performance Embedded Systems takes you through the fundamental concepts of embedded systems, including real-time operation and the Internet of Things (IoT), and the architecture and capabilities of the latest generation of FPGAs. Using powerful free tools for FPGA design and electronic circuit design, you’ll learn how to design, build, test, and debug high-performance FPGA-based IoT devices. The book will also help you get up to speed with embedded system design, circuit design, hardware construction, firmware development, and debugging to produce a high-performance embedded device – a network-based digital oscilloscope. You’ll explore techniques such as designing four-layer printed circuit boards with high-speed differential signal pairs and assembling the board using surface-mount components. By the end of the book, you’ll have a solid understanding of the concepts underlying embedded systems and FPGAs and will be able to design and construct your own sophisticated digital devices.
Table of Contents (15 chapters)
1
Section 1: Fundamentals of High-Performance Embedded Systems
5
Section 2: Designing and Constructing High-Performance Embedded Systems
10
Section 3: Implementing and Testing Real-Time Firmware

Preparing for assembly and placing parts

When the time comes to assemble a circuit board, you should begin by confirming you have everything you need to finish the job. When you reach this point, you will have a bare circuit board plus all of the circuit components you will need, as well as the tools and consumables needed for applying solder paste and performing reflow soldering.

It is helpful to purchase extra circuit components in case you lose or damage any of them during assembly. This is an easy thing to do for inexpensive parts such as SMT resistors and capacitors. For more expensive components, typically integrated circuits, you will have to decide how many spares your budget can tolerate.

The task of placing a large number of components on a board can be quite tedious and error-prone. Your work area should be clear of any obstructions and distractions that might interfere with your ability to successfully populate the board.

It is critically important to ensure the...