Basic C programming knowledge (or other low-level language).
Understanding of binary arithmetic.
Familiarity with embedded processor concepts (recommended but not mandatory).
Target Audience
Embedded systems engineers and technicians with the required prerequisites
In-Person
Online
Day 1: Toolchain, Build Process & Debugging
Understanding the Toolchain
Cross-compilation principles
Role of compiler, assembler, and linker
C source program structure
Preprocessor directives: #define, #include
Writing macros and header files safely
Object file sections & library inclusion
Startup files and linker scripts
GCC compiler options
Running code from RAM
Writing Makefiles
Exercises:
Analyze build steps of a simple program.
Work with conditional compilation.
Configure the linker to allocate code and data.
Lab Environment Setup
Project creation from scratch
Debugging setup (debug probe, communication with target MCU)
Debugging windows (C/Disassembly, memory, stack, variables, registers)
Breakpoints and step-through execution
Day 2: Core C Concepts & Embedded Data Handling
Types and Operators
Variable storage classes (static, automatic, register, extern)
Scalar types (char, int, float, double)
Type conversion, casting, volatile keyword
Exercises: Work with types and operators.
Control Structures
if/else, switch/case
Looping structures (while, do/while, for)
Exercises: Implement control structures.
Pointers and Arrays
Pointer declaration, initialization, and operations
Constants, volatile and restrict pointers
One-dimensional and multi-dimensional arrays
Exercises: Work with pointers and arrays.
Structures and Unions
Structs, unions, bit fields, peripheral register modeling
Memory alignment, endianness
Exercises: Model STM32F4 peripheral registers.
Functions
Function prototypes, function pointers
Stack operations and recursion
Function inlining and pipeline optimizations
Exercises: Analyze stack usage and function calls.
Standard Library Overview
stdio library (printf, scanf, memcpy)
File access functions
Day 3: Embedded-Specific Programming Techniques
Data Structures
Implementing FIFOs, linked lists
Exercises: Work with linked lists.
Memory Management
Dynamic allocation (malloc, free), stack vs heap
Memory management algorithms (Buddy System, Best-fit/First-fit, Pool management)
Exercises: Implement dynamic memory allocation.
Embedded Context Considerations
Peripheral programming
Memory access and caching
Interrupt-driven programming
Exercises: Timer interrupt handling.
Cortex-M4 Architecture Overview
Harvard architecture, register model, execution modes
System control block, SysTick timer, NVIC interrupt handling
Exercises: Analyze the boot sequence.
Day 4: Advanced Topics & STM32F4-Specific Features
Compiler Optimizations
Function inlining, memory alignment, struct packing
Exercises: Mix C and Assembly, analyze function inlining.
STM32F4 MCU Overview
ARM Cortex-M4-based architecture
Bus matrix, memory mapping, DMA, UART, ADC
Flash programming, clocking, power management
Exercises:
Implement DMA-based data transfers.
Redirect printf output via UART.
Display ADC values on an LCD.
