The hottest Microcontrollers Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Choosing a microcontroller

lcamtuf’s thing • 6530 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
đź•ą Technology Microcontrollers Embedded Systems Programming Automation
  1. When picking a microcontroller for simple projects, stick to 8-bit options like AVRs. They are easy to use and work well for tasks that don’t need a lot of speed or memory.
  2. For more demanding applications, like video processing or complex calculations, go for higher-end 32-bit microcontrollers. They are more powerful and can handle heavy data loads.
  3. If you need wireless connectivity and processing power, single-board computers are the way to go. They run full operating systems but can be more expensive and less efficient than microcontrollers.

Working with OLEDs: SSD1353 & SSD1333

lcamtuf’s thing • 1836 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
đź•ą Technology Microcontrollers Programming Electronics Game design
  1. OLED displays are generally better for microcontroller projects than traditional LCDs. They are easier to use and deliver better performance and visuals.
  2. For projects with limited RAM or CPU, smaller OLED displays like the SSD1353 and SSD1333 can be effective. They are simple to set up with basic connections.
  3. Setting up these OLED displays involves a few key commands and configurations, making it manageable even for beginners. Once connected, getting them to display graphics is straightforward.

An Introduction to Arduino

wavesandcode • 99 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
đź•ą Technology Electronics Microcontrollers Hardware Prototyping Education
  1. Arduino is a beginner-friendly microcontroller that lets you create electronic projects. It's easy to replace if you make mistakes.
  2. Basic components like breadboards, jumper wires, and LEDs are essential for building circuits. They help you connect and test your ideas quickly.
  3. Starting with simple projects is a great way to learn. Using resources like the Arduino Projects Book can guide you in building fun circuits.

A Year In Chips

The Chip Letter • 8736 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
đź•ą Technology Semiconductors Programming Languages Hardware Microcontrollers
  1. The Chip Letter had 75 posts, over 500,000 views, and gained over 7,000 new subscribers in 2023.
  2. Highlighted posts included the story of Erlang at WhatsApp, the disappearance of minicomputers, and a celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Integrated Circuit.
  3. 2024 will bring posts on the history of microcontrollers, Moore's Law, the Motorola 6800, '8-bit', GPUs, TPUs, and more, with a 20% discount available for new annual subscriptions.

DACs and ADCs, or there and back again

lcamtuf’s thing • 1836 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
đź•ą Technology Electronics Microcontrollers
  1. Digital circuits often require digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters to interface with the physical world.
  2. For digital-to-analog conversion, architectures like binary-weighted DACs and R-2R DACs are commonly used, but the latter addresses practical issues with resistor values.
  3. Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) can be complex, involving methods like flash ADCs and slope-based ADCs, which use principles like comparison, integration, and sigma-delta modulation for accurate voltage readings.
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MCU land, part 9: ST7789, the final frontier

lcamtuf’s thing • 1836 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
đź•ą Technology Microcontrollers Graphics Programming Electronics Embedded Systems
  1. Driving a 2.8" 240x320 IPS panel with a Microchip SAM S70 Cortex-M7 MCU can be surprisingly simple.
  2. The steps to set up the ST7789 display controller involve minimal and straightforward commands like hardware reset and configuration for color mode.
  3. Generating image data for the display in 16 bpp RGB565 color mode is achievable through tools like ImageMagick.

Episode 41: Better Built By Burkhard

burkhardstubert • 39 implied HN points • 01 May 23
đź•ą Technology Software Embedded Systems IOT Development Tools Microcontrollers
  1. Qt for MCUs is designed for memory-constrained devices, making it ideal for low-cost electronics like appliances and wearables. This helps companies save money, especially when producing large volumes of products.
  2. Manufacturers are looking for a way to use the same software framework for both high-end and low-end devices. Doing this would allow them to reuse code and save time and resources when switching between different hardware.
  3. Recent advancements have made Qt for MCUs more efficient, allowing it to run on devices with very little memory. This is a game changer, as it opens up new possibilities for using Qt in even simpler and cheaper devices.

MSP430 I2C, and Trusting ChatGPT Wasted Weeks of My Life

Saying Less • 19 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
đź•ą Technology Microcontrollers Debugging
  1. Hardware communication involves protocols like I2C, UART, and SPI for connecting microcontrollers with peripherals.
  2. In I2C communication, there are master and slave devices, and the correct implementation details are crucial for success.
  3. Consulting the manufacturer's datasheet is essential for troubleshooting hardware issues, despite guidance from tools like ChatGPT.

Episode 10: Burkhard on Qt Embedded Systems

burkhardstubert • 19 implied HN points • 30 Sep 20
đź•ą Technology Embedded Systems IOT Artificial Intelligence Software Development Microcontrollers
  1. The Gartner study highlights various technologies that are influencing embedded systems in IoT, like Edge Networking and Embedded AI. These technologies will shape future Qt embedded systems significantly.
  2. Technologies like RISC-V offer chip vendors a cost-effective alternative to ARM by eliminating licensing fees. This could lead to more widespread use of RISC-V in embedded devices.
  3. Qt supports several protocols like CoAP and MQTT, making it suitable for developing applications in resource-constrained environments. The flexibility of Qt can facilitate efficient communication in IoT systems.

Low Cost Accurate Air Quality Sensor (PM/Temperature/Humidity)

The Halfway Point • 0 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
đź•ą Technology IOT Sensors Microcontrollers Programming Air Quality
  1. You can build a low-cost air quality sensor using an ESP32 for under $120. It's a great way to monitor air quality without spending too much money.
  2. This sensor not only shows air quality data on a local website but also sends it to the cloud and alerts you when the air quality is poor. It's pretty handy!
  3. You can set everything up without soldering, making it easier and safer to use, especially in a small space where fumes might be a problem.