Designing Embedded Hardware: Create New Computers and Devices

by John Catsoulis

Embedded computer systems literally surround they're in our cell phones, PDAs, cars, TVs, refrigerators, heating systems, and more. In fact, embedded systems are one of the most rapidly growing segments of the computer industry today. Along with the growing list of devices for which embedded computer systems are appropriate, interest is growing among programmers, hobbyists, and engineers of all types in how to design and build devices of their own. Furthermore, the knowledge offered by this book into the fundamentals of these computer systems can benefit anyone who has to evaluate and apply the systems. The second edition of Designing Embedded Hardware has been updated to include information on the latest generation of processors and microcontrollers, including the new MAXQ processor. If you're new to this and don't know what a MAXQ is, don't worry--the book spells out the basics of embedded design for beginners while providing material useful for advanced systems designers. Designing Embedded Hardware steers a course between those books dedicated to writing code for particular microprocessors, and those that stress the philosophy of embedded system design without providing any practical information. Having designed 40 embedded computer systems of his own, author John Catsoulis brings a wealth of real-world experience to show readers how to design and create entirely new embedded devices and computerized gadgets, as well as how to customize and extend off-the-shelf systems. Loaded with real examples, this book also provides a roadmap to the pitfalls and traps to avoid. Designing Embedded Hardware If you want to build your own embedded system, or tweak an existing one, this invaluable book gives you the understanding and practical skills you need.

Genres: Reference, Programming, Engineering, Computers, Computer Science, Technical, Technology

396 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not have been more impressed with this book. It covers everything from soldering to USB interfaces. Despite covering an enormous "surface area" of topics, it still manages to have examples, schematics, and practical advice for just about everything. Astonishing!

The book has brief coverage of a large variety of hardware peripherals, interfaces, power supplies, memory, etc. There is advice for using wire-wrap, oscilloscopes, and how to make PCBs. There are explanations of assembly and the Forth language (in an excellent little summary). There are separate chapters for, what, four different common microcontroller architectures? There is even a primer on the fundamentals of electronics and basic components such as resistors and capacitors. It's incredibly broad.

Of course this book couldn't possibly have delved deeply into any given topic but to be honest, most of that is best left to Internet searches or product data sheets and the book explains how to read those.

All of this is done with confidence and good humor. Technical terms are explained as they are introduced. I am just really, really impressed with Catsoulis as an author.

Ironically, it was this book that finally convinced me that I am not at a point in my life when I can try my hand at this stuff. I have devoted my precious free time to other activities and I do not currently have a free slot in my day for hardware experiments. If I tried to do it, but it would be at the expense of something else. Nevertheless, I'm very glad I read this because I learned so much. When I do have time in my life for hardware, I will definitely be re-reading this book!

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A common joke:

The 3 most dangerous things against your completing your project:

1. A Programmer with a soldering iron.
2. A Manager who programs.
3. A User with ideas.

Ok, I'm only talking about #1. Most software guys know how to do two things: drink coffee and blame the hardware guy. But if you're one of those special souls that wants to actually learn but doesn't want to feel like you're starting college all over again... this is the book for you.

Reading schematics, doing minor rework, getting a good general idea of all the hardware-level communication protocols and... yes, it has a blurb on how to solder.

[Birdy Toh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a recommended primer

[Cas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book overal

[Doc Kinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book turned out to be just the sort of introduction I thought it would be, and what it advertised - enough to get you interested & started. I freaked out a bit when they started discussing 68000 chips for embedded systems. I wonderfully used 68000 chips for full fledged, advanced desktop computers.

Like all O'Reilly books, of course, this one assumes a good bit of agile intelligence of its reader.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have this not so secret wish to be an embedded systems developer. I also like to know what's going on inside the devices I'm developing for. This book gave me a lot of insight into that and made me at least believe that if I put the effort into it, I could probably design a simple embedded device. It's also full of tips that would likely be useful to any electronics hobbiest.

[Mahmoud ElSherif · Rating 5 out of 5]

a powerful introduction to embedded hardware design , very useful for software programmers and system architects who want be aware of hardware design aspects .
To make use of this book , you will need to involve more in practical hardware design through real-life projects .

[Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for a refresher in embedded, someone operating at a higher level, not the true hands on person, they would need a deeper/more detailed book but the program/project manager this is ideal.

[Tuhin]

now i can read