This article is just a short follow-up article for “Write Less Code using the ‘auto’ Keyword”. Structured binding is something handy, introduced in C++17. Therefore, only the latest compiler will support it. If you are mainly write embedded code, you...

This article is for embedded software developers with good knowledge of C or C++, but struggle with large and complex projects. If you learn developing embedded code, e.g. using the Arduino IDE, you find plenty of small example programs. It...

In my opinion, preprocessor macros and the outdated #include mechanism are one of the worst parts of the C++ language. It is not just these things are causing a lot of problems, even more, it is very time consuming to...

The auto keyword was introduced with C++11. It reduces the amount of code you have to write, reduces repetitive code and the number of required changes. Sadly, many C++ developers are not aware of how useful this keyword is. Especially...

In your program code, you often have to deal with values which have a given unit. The problem is, this unit is often completely lost. If you do not add the unit as a comment or as part of the...

After writing the article about event-based firmware, I realised there are some misunderstandings how real-time counter are working and should be used. Especially there is a misconception about an imagined problem if such counter overflows. In this article, I try...

Should you use a class or a module with a namespace for a singleton interface in your firmware? I found there are many misunderstandings which lead beginners to make a wrong decision in this matter. With this article, I try...

In the first part of this article, we explored the general concept of event-based firmware. For the first part, please click this link. The introduced concepts were directly tailored to one specific firmware. Now let us develop the concepts further...

In this article I explain the event-based approach for writing an embedded firmware. While I use the term event-based, it is similar to events systems used for desktop application but much simpler. It is nothing new or innovative, the shown...

In the past months, I developed firmware for a few Adafruit Feather M0 based projects. The reason why I use the Adafruit Feather platform, instead of using an MCU directly, is for modularity. By using a board on sockets, it...

I am developing software for 20+ years now. In the early days, I developed software in Assembler, Basic, Fortran, Pascal and C. Meanwhile my focus gradually shifted over time. It is a very personal view, with my own language recommendations...

Today I like to share some encryption code, which can be used in various situations – and is also useful for embedded systems. It is a unique implementation of the AES 256 / CBC crypto algorithm. The goal of this...

This article is about a small sensor node with a decorative case. It is based on the Raspberry Pi Zero W board with a custom sensor shield on top. I publish all hardware files for a simple version of the...

I own a decorative light for the winter which I controlled using a simple time switch in the past. The time of dusk is continually shifting, so I had to adjust the turn-on time multiple times each year. This year,...

I wrote a short page about the snow flake project from end of 2017. On the page you will find a summary of the project and the link to the repository with all the required files. Everything is open source,...

Recently I received boards for a sensor array from PCBWay. This boards were made in a very good quality considering the low price level. I really like the green solder mask they use, it creates a nice optical effect shifting...

Sadly there is a ton of badly written code out in the wild. Hardware related code, seem to suffer more in this regards. I imagine, many developer in this segment are unwillingly to invest time in quality or are just...

Flags play an important role in embedded software development. Microcontrollers and chips are using registers where single bits or combinations of bits play a big role in the configuration. All the bits and their role are described in the specification,...

For my current project I searched for a good boost power converter which is able to deliver continuous 400mA power for various sensors. There are an endless number of good boost converters around, but not many can be hand soldered...

Last week the new PCBite Kit 2.0 from Sensepeek arrived. The new kit comes with the great PCBite holder from the previous version, which are very useful to fasten a PCB for soldering, rework or analysis. New to this kit...

For a current project I need a step-up converter to get 5 volts from 2.5V-5.5V input. The output of this converter is used to power sensors which drive motors and small heat elements from this source. The average consumed current...

Today I got the PCB coaster from Adafruit. They look so much better in real than on the photos in the shop. The coasters are made from 2.4mm FR4 PCB material. There is a transparent solder mask on the top to...

SeedStudio offered me a coupon to evaluate their PCB service “Fusion“. I am currently working on a new project, so I gave this service a try. I used the following options ordering the two boards: PCB Dimensions 68mm*108mm Impedance Control...

I designed a very simple power converter for the snow flake decoration. The snow flake boards require 3.3V, a voltage which is commonly available in a household. Therefore the power converter takes 5V USB power and convert it into the...

Today I show you a little bit longer video about the assembly of the component side of the snow flake panel. Compared with the very small 0402 LEDs (1mm x 0.5mm) on the front side, the component side contains just...