My main technical interest is embedded systems and microprocessors. My day job is developing firmware for DSPs. My hobby also involves microcontrollers.
Sub-topics I have interest in:
Computer Architecture
DSP
FPGA
Microcontrollers
RTOS
Wireless Networks
Current Platforms:
I use open(ish) hardware platforms.
- Arduino, an Atmel AVR based solution. It has a large ecosystem from software tools to hardware form factors (especially shields) and is targeted to artists, designers, etc.
- LeafLabs Maple, an ARM Cortex M-3 platform influenced by Arduino. This is currently my platform of choice.
- Netduino combines ARM-based processor with Arduino physical form factor for shield compatibility. Develop with C#, Microsoft .NET Micro with Mono coming soon. Drawbacks: not real time capable due to interpreted code.
- Make Controller, an ARM based solution. As a platform, it’s been overtaken by Arduino and similar solutions. It’s not being actively maintained./li>
Other Interesting Platforms:
- Beagleboard OMAP and Linux
- http://www.gumstix.com
- http://www.tincantools.com/
- http://www.designmsp430.com/
- http://buglabs.net/
Vendors:
- http://digilentinc.com/
- http://sparkfun.com/
- http://www.makingthings.com/
- http://seeed.com/
- http://adafruit.com/
- http://themakerspace.com/
