💻 Python vs. C/C++ in Embedded Systems
The article covers the merits and drawbacks of these programming languages and explains why Python can become a serious competitor in embedded systems for C.
The Case For Python:
▫️ Automated testing. Python provides developers with automated testing due to its ability to control tools that send and receive information from the embedded system.
▫️ Data analysis. The ability to receive and store information from the embedded system allows programmers to use Python to develop methods for real-time data visualization.
▫️ Easy-to-learn.
▫️ Extensive libraries.
▫️ Doesn’t use pointers in comparison to C. It lets developers manage the problems in the code easier.
The Case For C/C++:
▫️ Runtime speed. These languages don’t need to interpret the code at runtime.
▫️ Code is easy to control making the language highly-efficient.
▫️ More compact programs. It is crucial as embedded devices usually have little memory and lower-powered CPUs.
More information...
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The article covers the merits and drawbacks of these programming languages and explains why Python can become a serious competitor in embedded systems for C.
The Case For Python:
▫️ Automated testing. Python provides developers with automated testing due to its ability to control tools that send and receive information from the embedded system.
▫️ Data analysis. The ability to receive and store information from the embedded system allows programmers to use Python to develop methods for real-time data visualization.
▫️ Easy-to-learn.
▫️ Extensive libraries.
▫️ Doesn’t use pointers in comparison to C. It lets developers manage the problems in the code easier.
The Case For C/C++:
▫️ Runtime speed. These languages don’t need to interpret the code at runtime.
▫️ Code is easy to control making the language highly-efficient.
▫️ More compact programs. It is crucial as embedded devices usually have little memory and lower-powered CPUs.
More information...
#articles
🔌 Shine Turbine: Foldable Turbine Puts Wind Power in Your Backpack
It can harvest three phones worth of power in as little as an hour
Shine Turbine, a 3-pound, 40-watt wind turbine that can charge handheld electronics, is the first of a series of renewable power devices designed by the startup to provide freedom from the electrical grid.
The team had to overcome several engineering challenges to get its design right since there were many variables contradicting each other. It had to be durable enough to use as an outdoor product but also lightweight and compact to be easily carried around, and also efficient enough to generate lots of power. This all meant it had to be highly engineered.
When wind speeds double, power output increases eightfold, and when you combine this with Shine's patent-pending technology (high-efficiency blades and lightweight design), you get yourself a wind charger that can provide the most energy for the least amount of weight.
More information...
#articles #energy
It can harvest three phones worth of power in as little as an hour
Shine Turbine, a 3-pound, 40-watt wind turbine that can charge handheld electronics, is the first of a series of renewable power devices designed by the startup to provide freedom from the electrical grid.
The team had to overcome several engineering challenges to get its design right since there were many variables contradicting each other. It had to be durable enough to use as an outdoor product but also lightweight and compact to be easily carried around, and also efficient enough to generate lots of power. This all meant it had to be highly engineered.
When wind speeds double, power output increases eightfold, and when you combine this with Shine's patent-pending technology (high-efficiency blades and lightweight design), you get yourself a wind charger that can provide the most energy for the least amount of weight.
More information...
#articles #energy
📊 Best RP2040 Boards 2021
While Raspberry has its own RP2040-powered board, there are now more than a dozen, third-party solutions
1. Raspberry Pi Pico: $4 Dual core Arm microcontroller
+Low cost
+Small size
+Ease of use
+Built-in ADC
-No USB-C
-Only three ADC pins
2. Adafruit Feather RP2040: The Gold Standard of ‘Pi Silicon’
+Great form factor
+STEMMA QT easy to use
+FeatherWing add-ons
+Onboard battery connection and charging
+Pin labelling on both sides of the board
-No pull up resistors on I2C pins
-No battery monitoring
3. Cytron Maker Pi Pico: The ideal way to build your Raspberry Pi Pico projects
+Low cost
+Easy to use
+Lots of extra features
+Inline LEDs
+Grove connectors
-ESP-01 needs extra work
4. Adafruit QT Py RP2040
+Small size
+Stemma QT Port
+USB-C
-Lack of GPIO pins
5. Pimoroni Tiny 2040
+Small size
+More ADC pins than Pico
+Built-in reset button
+Pin IDs printed on top
-Tricky to surface mount
-Incompatible with Pico add-on boards
-Premium price
More information...
#articles #boards
While Raspberry has its own RP2040-powered board, there are now more than a dozen, third-party solutions
1. Raspberry Pi Pico: $4 Dual core Arm microcontroller
+Low cost
+Small size
+Ease of use
+Built-in ADC
-No USB-C
-Only three ADC pins
2. Adafruit Feather RP2040: The Gold Standard of ‘Pi Silicon’
+Great form factor
+STEMMA QT easy to use
+FeatherWing add-ons
+Onboard battery connection and charging
+Pin labelling on both sides of the board
-No pull up resistors on I2C pins
-No battery monitoring
3. Cytron Maker Pi Pico: The ideal way to build your Raspberry Pi Pico projects
+Low cost
+Easy to use
+Lots of extra features
+Inline LEDs
+Grove connectors
-ESP-01 needs extra work
4. Adafruit QT Py RP2040
+Small size
+Stemma QT Port
+USB-C
-Lack of GPIO pins
5. Pimoroni Tiny 2040
+Small size
+More ADC pins than Pico
+Built-in reset button
+Pin IDs printed on top
-Tricky to surface mount
-Incompatible with Pico add-on boards
-Premium price
More information...
#articles #boards
📃 9 Career Tips for Embedded Software Developers
Interesting article in which author shares his experience of working as a Embedded Software Developer
▫️ Do Not Work Under Isolation
Discussing and analyzing the issue with developers of different perspectives while solving a problem increases efficiency.
Checking your code with other developers makes it easier to detect errors early. Developing together forces you to use methods such as CI/CD, TDD, effective use of version control systems, and good documentation.
▫️ Find Best Practices
Before deciding on a method, you should always ask these questions: “how can I do this best?”, and “someone must have gone through this path before,” and do some research or consult a more experienced colleague.
▫️ Postpone Coding
Do not embark upon this task until you have fully defined the requirements, fully created the architecture, and agreed on common ground with the people you work with.
More information...
#articles #work #design
Interesting article in which author shares his experience of working as a Embedded Software Developer
▫️ Do Not Work Under Isolation
Discussing and analyzing the issue with developers of different perspectives while solving a problem increases efficiency.
Checking your code with other developers makes it easier to detect errors early. Developing together forces you to use methods such as CI/CD, TDD, effective use of version control systems, and good documentation.
▫️ Find Best Practices
Before deciding on a method, you should always ask these questions: “how can I do this best?”, and “someone must have gone through this path before,” and do some research or consult a more experienced colleague.
▫️ Postpone Coding
Do not embark upon this task until you have fully defined the requirements, fully created the architecture, and agreed on common ground with the people you work with.
More information...
#articles #work #design
📰 The global chip shortage is creating a new problem: More fake components
An ongoing shortage of chips is a perfect terrain to lure in equipment manufacturers that are desperate to find alternative ways to get their hands on the components they need. And, in fact, it would not be the first time that disruptions to the electronic components supply chain triggered a wave of counterfeit products.
Typically, fraudsters use one of two methods to create fake products: they can clone them, building them entirely from scratch in a manner reminiscent of what has become common in the fashion industry, for example; or, they can recycle components from electronics waste, erase old markings, clean the part and package it to appear new to potential buyers.
In both cases, the final product might meet basic quality standards, but it will not have gone through any of the testing processes or reliability criteria that authentic chip manufacturers invest time and money.
More information...
#news #articles
An ongoing shortage of chips is a perfect terrain to lure in equipment manufacturers that are desperate to find alternative ways to get their hands on the components they need. And, in fact, it would not be the first time that disruptions to the electronic components supply chain triggered a wave of counterfeit products.
Typically, fraudsters use one of two methods to create fake products: they can clone them, building them entirely from scratch in a manner reminiscent of what has become common in the fashion industry, for example; or, they can recycle components from electronics waste, erase old markings, clean the part and package it to appear new to potential buyers.
In both cases, the final product might meet basic quality standards, but it will not have gone through any of the testing processes or reliability criteria that authentic chip manufacturers invest time and money.
More information...
#news #articles
🚗 DIY EV Robotic Charger for Tesla with Raspberry Pi 4
The home garage charger slowly but surely plugs itself all on its own into the Tesla, and works its magic to power up the vehicle overnight.
The system is still a prototype, and its owner is fully aware of its current limitations — mainly speed — but it doesn't require much space as it nestles along the garage wall, and, when prompted, uses its cameras and systems to connect itself with the Tesla.
The owner explains in his video that he uses a Raspberry Pi 4 as the brain of the robot, which is linked to a camera that can gauge where the charging port is.
Computer vision and machine learning help the camera search for the lighted blue Tesla logo by the charging port, and the charging port door reflector as it lines the charging cable up to the port. The Tesla API is used to open the EV's charge port door, so no physical human interaction on the car is needed.
More information...
#robots #automotive #articles #raspberry
The home garage charger slowly but surely plugs itself all on its own into the Tesla, and works its magic to power up the vehicle overnight.
The system is still a prototype, and its owner is fully aware of its current limitations — mainly speed — but it doesn't require much space as it nestles along the garage wall, and, when prompted, uses its cameras and systems to connect itself with the Tesla.
The owner explains in his video that he uses a Raspberry Pi 4 as the brain of the robot, which is linked to a camera that can gauge where the charging port is.
Computer vision and machine learning help the camera search for the lighted blue Tesla logo by the charging port, and the charging port door reflector as it lines the charging cable up to the port. The Tesla API is used to open the EV's charge port door, so no physical human interaction on the car is needed.
More information...
#robots #automotive #articles #raspberry