Software development - introduction

Cross development

Reminders

Usual development

Compiler + linker (+ other utilities): toolchain

Cross development for microcontroller board

Transferring the executable file to the microcontroller board can be done in several ways:

• Over a debug interface
• Over a serial link while the microcontroller runs a bootloader
• Over a wireless connection while the microcontroller runs a bootloader
• Etc.

The operation: flashing.

The executable file: firmware.

Debugging

• The development PC can control the execution of the application running in the microcontroller
• Requires a debug interface on the microcontroller board and a serial link

As seen in the previous page: the debug interface can be used to flash the microcontroller.

Every microcontroller manufacturer:

• Full development environnement
  • Free, most of the time
  • Often based on Open Source software (Eclipse, gcc, openOCD, etc.)
• Development boards
  • At a very low price
  • Schematic is often open source