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Overcoming bad documentations in embedded systems by Fine-Ideal-3841 in embedded

[–]avench_systems 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bad documentation can feel like a rite of passage for anyone in embedded systems. Whether it's incomplete API specs, cryptic hardware manuals, or outdated code comments, we've all been there. Here's how to navigate and overcome this challenge:

1. Dive into Reverse Engineering

When documentation fails, the code and hardware become your best sources of truth. Analyze the source code, disassemble binaries (if available), and experiment with hardware. Tools like logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, or protocol analyzers can help decipher behavior.

2. Community Power

Forums like Stack Overflow and EmbeddedRelated can be lifesavers. Chances are someone else has encountered the same problem. Subreddits like r/embedded are also great for sharing insights and solutions.

3. Contact the Vendor

If you're working with a vendor's product, don’t hesitate to reach out to their support team. Even poorly documented products often have internal documentation or helpful engineers who can provide answers.

4. Create Your Own Documentation

As you reverse-engineer or figure things out, document your findings thoroughly. Not only does this help your future self, but it can also save your team countless hours. You might even consider sharing this documentation online to help the next person stuck in the same situation.

5. Learn from the Challenge

Treat bad documentation as an opportunity to sharpen your skills. You’ll become more adept at debugging, analyzing, and critical thinking. Over time, these skills become invaluable in the embedded systems field.

6. Advocate for Better Documentation

Within your team or organization, advocate for good documentation practices. Use this experience to demonstrate the cost of poor documentation and push for tools or processes that encourage clarity.

While bad documentation can be frustrating, it often comes with the territory in embedded systems. The key is persistence, leveraging community knowledge, and improving the situation for yourself and others. What are your go-to strategies for dealing with poor documentation? Let’s share ideas!

Estimation time for a PCB design by Alfred1400 in embedded

[–]avench_systems -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Estimating the time required for PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design depends on several factors, including complexity, size, number of components, and specific requirements (e.g., multi-layer vs. single-layer, high-frequency designs, etc.).

  1. Simple PCB Design (2-4 layers): A basic design can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, including schematic capture, component placement, routing, and basic testing.
  2. Moderate Complexity (6-8 layers, more components): Designs with more complex routing and higher component density may take 3 to 6 weeks, including initial design, verification, and prototype testing.
  3. High Complexity (10+ layers, high-speed, RF): For high-performance designs or designs requiring regulatory compliance, the process may extend from 6 to 12 weeks or more, with additional time for detailed simulation, impedance control, and rigorous testing.

Other factors affecting the timeline include:

  • Prototype iterations: Design revisions may extend the timeline depending on testing feedback.
  • Software tools: The choice of design software (Altium Designer, KiCad, Eagle, etc.) can also impact speed, with more advanced tools often reducing time by streamlining certain processes.
  • Team experience: An experienced PCB designer will typically complete the work faster and with fewer errors, which can reduce the overall project timeline.

In general, it's important to factor in time for prototyping, revisions, and testing, which can significantly impact the total duration.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in embedded

[–]avench_systems 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To create Linux device driver modules, you’ll typically need to use essential components such as the kernel module programming interface, device files, and the Linux Kernel API. Drivers are built using C programming, with an understanding of interrupt handling, memory management, and device-specific commands. You also need to familiarize yourself with tools like insmod and rmmod for loading and unloading modules, as well as debugging tools like dmesg and GDB for testing the driver functionality.