Development Kit to learn Embedded (firmware) programming?

[MagicSpark]

firmware programming tools

I am experienced Windows programmer and would like to learn embedded (firmware) programming. As I understand one way to learn firmware programming is to get developmet board, manual and learn all details at home at my own pace. Ususally such hardware boards are sold in Development Kits offered by different companies.

Can anyone experienced in this field recommend me such Development Kit which include the following:
- Hardware board
- All necessary cables to connect my PC to that board
- Detailed step by step manual for beginners to learn how to work with board
- Necessary Software tools: IDE, compiler, firmware loader, etc

I am looking for the board within 100 - 300 $ price range.

I would also appreciate any advice or suggestion regarding this topic.

Thanks in advance

 

[cristianp]

firmware programming

From Silabs (microcontroller with 8051 core) Silabs Development Tools
From Atmel (AVR core) Atmel Development Tools

 

[Antharax]

embedded firmware programming

This depends on what you want to learn from embedded programming.

You can learn about 8-bit microcontrollers. Small systems with little RAM and basic functions. Most have serial port communication, some have USB (Device!!!) or ethernet. This can be used for smaller (OS-less) systems or when enough RAM is available, a small OS can be run on it (uClinux might be possible when enough RAM is available).

Good sources for development boards:
http://www.olimex.com (AVR, MSP430, PIC, ARM, ...): broad selection of boards with programming tools (everything you need)
http://www.ethernut.de (AVR and ARM based boards): active community with a small RTOS. a good start if you want networking.
(ARM boards are actually 16/32 bit, depending on the mode. They are a bit more advanced than the other controllers and will probably have a larger learning curve)

Then there are the more advanced 32-bit single board computers with enough RAM to run a decent Operating system. These boards can run Linux (sometimes WinCE). On most boards you can also run smaller RTOSses (eCOS or RTEMS).

Good sources for development boards:
http://www.embeddedarm.com (with their ARM single board computers) (they have an active yahoo user group community)
http://www.glomationinc.com (intersting boards, no idea what single quantity prices are)

and a good source for JTAG (only needed when doing low level development (bootloader, other RTOS) is:
http://www.amontec.com (then seem to have a new tiny jtagkey (fast JTAG) for 29 euro's)

Regards,
Antharax

 

[xiaohua]

firmware programming kit

My advice is just so simple, use the Linux on your PC.

 

[Antharax]

learn firmware programming

That might helps yes,
But writing software for on an embedded platform has its own specific problems.
Problems that you will not have on a PC (where you have 'unlimited' (virtual) memory and decent device drivers for your hardware).

 

[mohsen_deeb]

consultix egypt

I think that you can find your reply on www.consultix-egypt.com
They have nothing still published on the website, but they have a good training kits for engineers and universities

you can contact consultix@gmail.com

 

[Kamal Daniel]

learn embedded programming arm

A good source for embedded microcontroller boards and IDE is
www.tern.com

 

[siongboon]

embedded development kit programming learning

Try Microchip. PIC16F series PIC18F series microcontroller.
Example PIC16F877a, 16F84a, 16F628a

They are quite popular and you can find
alot of references and help in the internet.

www.microchip.com

**broken link removed**

 

[jayavardhan]

embedded programming kits

you can get the development board from different companies

you can buy AVR developmnet kit or renesas development kit any thing they will give all you have told.

 

[Alliegro]

Re: Development Kit to learn Embedded (firmware) programming

Hi
If anyone is interested in Pic16 or 18 development tools for learning, i can provide the same. Also we conduct regular courses for PIC, PSOC and vxworks
We offer PIC programmers, icd2 and development tools.

 

[yousafzai]

Re: Development Kit to learn Embedded (firmware) programming

Try STK500, it is the best and cheap...