[LUNI] breaking into embedded?

[Benjamin Mayer Stocks]

Well first things first, you need to determine if you want to do this as
a career change or just for fun. If you want to do it as a career, read
this first:
http://www.embedded.com/story/OEG20020820S0034

Its a good reply to the "I want to be an embedded software
engineer, what book should I read?" type questions.

If you just want to tinker for fun and you have little experience I'd
recommend getting an evaluation kit from a manufacturer that comes with a
PC to target interface, C-compiler, etc.. Rabbit Semi has complete kits
like that for a just few hundred dollars
(http://www.rabbitsemiconductor.com/). There are a number of others, you
just need to search around and find one that meets your needs.

I wouldn't
exactly worry about finding something that supports embedded linux to
start with. If you've never done anything like this before you want to
start with things like writing routines that blink LEDs, drive a PWM, take
samples from an A/D, and not worry about booting an OS. Besides, despite
what most posts to Slashdot would have you believe, most embedded
platforms do not run Linux.


Hope this helps,

Ben



On Mon, 25 Nov 2002, Jonathan Hadley wrote:

> hey. i've lately been especially interested in
> "specialized" and embedded computers. linux, of
> course, lends well to such pursuits ;p
>
> anyone seriously played around with embedded linux or
> embedded projects generally? i need
> practicality/application as much as i do theory.
> (e.g., how to get PROM-burners, use them, buy SBCs or
> solder my own boards/busses? how do i start?)
>
> i have a good fundamental understanding of comp. sci.
> though i've never worked this low-level yet.  i need a
> good "dummie" guide for my somewhat intermediate
> level.  as per usual, standard OSS sites and docs are
> gearred to the real developers and experts (like
> linuxdevices.com) - is O'Reilly's embedded linux book
> a good starter, or too much to start with?
>
> and i can't overstate my ignorance to (P)ROM
> burners... any good introductions in book, html, pdf,
> or whatever?  once i get my hands on one, how would i
> effectively use it? interfacing with common
> microprocessors (e.g., ARM)?
>
> any help, links, vague suggestions would all be
> appreciated.  thanks in advance,
>
> jon hadley
>
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