Embedded Software Development using C++

The Embedded Software Development using C++ course demonstrates the application of object-oriented programming (OOP) in embedded systems. C++ is the language of choice because it has facilities that make OOP easy to implement and it also allows programming at the hardware level. As feature-rich and fantastic as C++ is, it is easy to misuse and this might cause code bloat. In this course, specific features of the language have been chosen to ensure the programs developed obey the following:

• Simplicity

• Readability

• Maintainability

Core concepts of OOP such as abstraction, encapsulation and polymorphism are covered. The course aims to present this style of programming as simple and friendly as possible hence inheritance isn't covered. In order to make library and application development relatively faster, the STM32Cube HAL APIs are used and direct register-level programming is reduced to a minimum. The STM32F401RE Nucleo Board is used throughout this course and the Keil uVision5 MDK and STM32CubeIDE are used for software development and debugging. Since the course predominantly uses the HAL, then anyone taking the course can use a different STM32 microcontroller and run the same code (with few modifications) due to the portability of the HAL.

Most embedded software are written in C and with a procedural approach to programming. C++ isn't a replacement for C and neither is OOP a replacement for procedural programming. But C++ does provide some features that our embedded software can benefit from and if used judiciously, it would be rewarding for application development. In the end, it is a matter of preference and use case and this course ensures the applicability of the language and programming paradigm (OOP) are reflected and appreciated.

As a student of this course, you'd be exposed to the following:

• Object-oriented programming on an embedded system and the following will be applied:

  • Classes, Encapsulation, Abstraction, Polymorphism

  • Private and Public keywords

  • Pointers and References

  • Type safety

• Development of libraries using C++, STM32Cube HAL drivers and information from documentations to interface the STM32 microcontroller with external components like:

  • 20x4 LCD

  • 4x4 Keypad

  • SG90 Servo

  • HC05 Bluetooth Module

  • HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor

  • L298N Motor Driver

• Code generation using STM32CubeMx as well as modification and customization of the CubeMx generated code to suit the application being developed.

• HAL GPIO, UART and Timer programming on the STM32

• Use of timers for PWM signal generation as well as PWM input capture for determination of an input signal's duty cycle

• Software design prior to the development of a library or application code

• Code testing and debugging on Keil uVision 5 and STM32CubeIDE

As this course is project-based, students will build at least two projects, some of which include:

• A Tic-tac-toe game console

• An Autonomous car

I can guarantee that anyone that enrolls for this course will be able to build embedded software for projects with little to no supervision after completing this course. Also, as a graduate of this course, you'd be able to design and develop simple, readable and maintainable embedded software for several projects with well defined requirements using C++.

To get the best out of the course, students are required to purchase some hardware components and install some software in order to follow the lectures, exercises and projects with ease.

Software requirements:

• Keil uVision5 MDK

• Java runtime environment (required for the STM32CubeMx)

• STM32CubeMx

• STM32CubeIDE (for boards without HAL support in Keil uVision)

Students are also expected to be familiar with STM32 programming at a basic level i.e. understanding of basic peripherals and their registers (GPIO, UART and Timers in normal counting mode). Knowledge of embedded C would also be helpful. Either Keil uVision 5 or STM32CubeIDE can be used. For boards without HAL support in the Keil uVision toolchain (e.g. STM32 bluepill), STM32CubeIDE can be used.

The teaching and learning process in this course goes beyond the lectures and exercises. Students can always communicate with the instructor via the Q/A section. This section is very active as questions will be answered within 24 hours.