Book Image

Bare-Metal Embedded C Programming

By : Israel Gbati
Book Image

Bare-Metal Embedded C Programming

By: Israel Gbati

Overview of this book

Bare-Metal Embedded C Programming takes you on an unparalleled journey to equip you with the skills and knowledge to excel in the world of embedded systems. The author, with over a decade of hands-on experience in engineering, takes a unique, practical approach to teach you how to decode microcontroller datasheets so that you’re able to extract vital information for precise firmware development. Register manipulation will become second nature to you as you learn to craft optimized code from scratch. The book provides in-depth insights into the hardware intricacies of microcontrollers. You'll navigate user manuals and documentation with ease, ensuring a profound understanding of the underlying technology. The true uniqueness of this book lies in its commitment to fostering independent expertise. Instead of simply copy pasting, you'll develop the capability to create firmware with confidence, paving the way for professional-grade mastery. By the end of this book, you'll have honed your skills in reading datasheets, performing register manipulations, and crafting optimized code, as well as gained the confidence needed to navigate hardware intricacies and write optimized firmware independently, making you a proficient and self-reliant embedded systems developer.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)

Setting Up the Tools of the Trade

In the world of embedded systems, crafting efficient firmware begins with a clear comprehension of the tools available. This chapter will guide you in establishing a robust development environment, ensuring that you are equipped with all the necessary tools for a comprehensive firmware development experience.

Central to our discussion is the concept of datasheets. Consider these as the detailed blueprints for any microcontroller, encompassing its capabilities, specifications, and intricate details. However, the challenge often isn’t merely understanding a datasheet but also sourcing the correct datasheets tailored to your specific microcontroller. To address this, I will assist you in pinpointing and understanding both datasheets and user manuals important to our chosen microcontroller.

As we progress, we’ll delve into the intricacies of setting up our Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and acknowledging its critical function within the development life cycle. Furthermore, you’ll gain insights into configuring the GNU Arm Embedded Toolchain and OpenOCD. These tools will later empower us to craft our firmware, bypassing the need for an IDE altogether.

In this chapter, we will explore the following main topics:

  • Essential development tools for microcontrollers
  • The development board
  • Datasheets and manuals – unraveling the details
  • Navigating the STM32CubeIDE