Questions tagged [firmware]
14 questions
25
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7 answers
Can abstractions and good code practice in embedded C++ eliminate the need for the debugger?
I am a C developer for an embedded system. YouTube has recently started recommending "C++ for embedded systems" talks. Having watched some of them, they pique my interest, but none of them answer the question they leave me with.
These talks…
Smyther
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9
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3 answers
Writing at the start of a file something you only know at the end
Background: I'm writing micro controller C code to write an EBML file. EBML is like a binary XML with nested elements, but instead of start and end tags, there is a start ID, length, and then the data. I am writing this into external Flash in a low…
pscheidler
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7
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2 answers
How to test the same software on all products in a product line?
In my team we have been working on a firmware for a product. The product was released some years ago but we still implement new features in the firmware and regularly provide a new firmware for our customers. Recently we have developed a new product…
Vandhunden
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5
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3 answers
Customer ask firmware source file
Recently my company was asked by a customer to develop a control board that includes firmware and PCB layout development. After finishing development the customer will buy the control boards at certain quantity every year.
We are now at making…
superNewbie
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4
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3 answers
Where and when does firmware of a device run?
Does firmware of a device run in the device or the device's controller?
When does firmware of a device run? Does it run if and only if the cpu sends commands and/or data to the device's controller?
For example,
for a hard drive and its controller…
Tim
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3
votes
4 answers
Alternative to nested-if on single return functions
I'd like to see if there has been any precedent on alternatives to nested-ifs--particularly for error-code returns. My workplace requires one return per function, so I cannot early exit. Here is some sample code, rewritten to protect…
Saxpy
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2
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1 answer
Appropriate design / technologies to handle dynamic string formatting?
recently I was tasked with implementing a way of adding support for versioning of hardware packet specifications to one of our libraries. First a bit of information about the project.
We have a hardware library which has classes for each of the…
Mark W
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1
vote
1 answer
Firmware Design Document (FDD) for an embedded system
What is a firmware design document (FDD) in terms of an embedded system?
I am working on developing an application that would be working on a customised board similar to the Xilinx Zynq Development Board(running on Arm Cortex A9 processor). I am…
Abhishek Agarwal
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1
vote
4 answers
What is involved in compiling or interpreting machine G-Code?
The G-Code and M-Code that we used to instruct CNC lathe, 3d-Printers and engraving machines, to my understanding, is not a programming language, but a scripting language like Python where scripts such as G00, T01, M18 etc would instruct the…
KMC
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0
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2 answers
Why is device firmware often distributed on CDs with the device?
Often, when any low-cost computer peripheral device is sold, it is sold with a CD containing the device's controlling firmware. Why can't it simply be sold with the firmware pre-installed by the manufacturer so that it does not rely on the host…
Eames
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3 answers
What level of a computer system does firmware run on?
In the following levels of a computer system, on which level does firmware (e.g. BIOS) run?
I guess:
BIOS doesn't depend on OS, so it must run on some level lower than level 3.
BIOS is written in machine language, so is it a program running no …
Tim
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2 answers
Firmware development philosophy in function wrapping
I wrote some code in the past for 8bit MCUs, realizing that every time I gained experience, the next iteration will be with a wrapper API or something more distant from the "bare metal" register access. I also end up a bit in working environments,…
thexeno
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1 answer
Belkin device runs Linux, how can I create my own custom firmware for it?
The Belkin N300 F9K1002 firmware is located here. It does not appear to be encrypted. How can I upload my own custom Linux firmware to this device. How would I go about hacking it?
dongle26
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1 answer
if The ISA acts as an interface between the hardware and the software why we need firmware?
if The ISA acts as an interface between the hardware and the software why we have firmware?
What exactly is firmware and how it works.
panos
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