Embedded Systems Software Development Tools

Embedded Software is the software that controls an embedded system. All

embedded systems need some software for their functioning. Embedded
software or program is loaded in the microcontroller which then takes care of
all the operations that are running. For developing this software, a number of
different tools are needed which includes editor, compiler, assembler and
debugger.

1. Editor
 The first tool you need for Embedded Systems Software Development
Tools is text editor.
 This is where you write the code for your embedded system.
 The code is written in some programming language. Most commonly used
language is C or C++.
 The code written in editor is also referred to source code.
2. Compiler
 The second among Embedded Systems Software Development Tools is a
compiler.
 A compiler is used when you are done with the editing part and made a
source code.
 The function of compiler is to convert the source code in to object code.
 Object code is understandable by computer as it in low level programming
language.
 So we can say that a compiler is used to convert a high level language
code in to low level programming language.
3. Assembler
 The third and an important one among Embedded Systems Software
Development Tools is an assembler.
 The function of an assembler is to convert a code written in assembly
language into machine language.
 All the mnemonics and data is converted in to op codes and bits by an
assembler.
 We all know that our computer understands binary and it works on 0 or 1,
so it is important to convert the code into machine language.
 That was the basic function of an assembler, now I am going to tell you
about a debugger.
4. Debugger
 As the name suggests, a debugger is a tool used to debug your code.
 It is important to test whether the code you have written is free from errors
or not. So, a debugger is used for this testing.
 Debugger goes through the whole code and tests it for errors and bugs.
 It tests your code for different types of errors for example a run time error or
a syntax error and notifies you wherever it occurs.
 The line number or location of error is shown by debugger so you can go
ahead and rectify it.
 So from the function, you can see how important tool a debugger is in the
list of Embedded Systems Software Development Tools.

5. Linker
 The next one in basic Embedded Systems Software Development Tools is
a linker.
 A linker is a computer program that combines one or more object code files
and library files together in to executable program.
 It is very common practice to write larger programs in to small parts and
modules to make job easy and to use libraries in your program.
 All these parts must be combined into a single file for execution, so this
function requires a linker
6. Libraries
 A library is a pre written program that is ready to use and provides specific
functionality.
 For Embedded Systems Software Development Tools, libraries are very
important and convenient.
 Library is a file written in C or C++ and can be used by different programs
and users.
 For example, arduino microcontroller comes with a number of different
libraries that you can download and use while developing your software.
 For instance, controlling LED or reading sensor like an encoder can be
done with a library.
 The last one on my list is a simulator.
7. Simulator
 Among all embedded software tools, simulating software is also needed.
 A simulator helps you to see how your code will work in real time.
 You can see how sensors are interacting, you can change the input values
from sensors, and you can see how the components are working and how
changing certain values can change parameters.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

 An Integrated Development Environment is software that contains all the

necessary tools required for embedded software development.
 For creating software for you embedded system, you need all of the above
mentioned tools.
 So it is very helpful to have software that can provide all of the necessary
tools from writing to testing of your code, in one package.
 An IDE normally consists of a code editor, compiler and a debugger.
 An Integrated Development Environment also provides a user interface.
 An example of integrated development environment is Microsoft visual
studio. It is used for developing computer programs and supports different
programming languages.
1. MPLAB
 If you are working with PIC Microcontroller, than you definitely need
MPLAB.
 MPLAB is an integrated development environment from Microchip
technology.
 It is a software that runs on your personal computer and is needed to create
program for your pic microcontroller.
 It helps in editing, debugging and programming of microchip microcontroller
that you use in your embedded system.
 For developing embedded software for your system using MPLAB, you
have to go through the following steps:
o The first step in this design process is to choose the PIC microcontroller
that meets the requirements and parameters for your system.
o Know all the components of your embedded system by making a rough
design.
o Next step is to write code for your embedded software. It is your choice
to write code in assembly language or some high level programming
language.
o Now you have to make your code ready to program your microcontroller.
So using compiler / assembler convert code into machine code.
o The fifth step is to debug your code to remover errors.
o Finally, upload the code in to your microcontroller. And it is ready to be
used in the embedded system.
2. Arduino Software
 Arduino software is used if you are working with arduino microcontroller.
 It is also open source software just like MPLAB that runs on your personal
computer.
 Arduino software helps you to create program for your microcontroller
providing all the necessary embedded software tools.
 The codes that you write on arduino software are referred to as sketches
and have an extension .ino.
 Integrated development environment of arduino is very user friendly and
has a lot of features that make your job easy. For example, you can open
multiple files with different extensions in one window.
 With arduino you can make use of a number of different libraries for your
functions and peripherals. Some of them are: Liquid Crystal
o WiFi
o Audio
o RTC
o LedControl
o Robot
o Matrix
o Capacitive Sensing
3. Keil
 Keil is an integrated development environment for a wide range of
microcontrollers including 8051, 251, ARM7, and C16x/ST10
microcontrollers.
 This software includes compiler, assembler, linker, debugger, simulator etc.
 This software is also easy to use and learn.

 The software for 8051 is used by professional embedded system

developers and beginners both.
 Depending on the microcontroller, you are using you can go for the right
software.
4. MATLAB
 Matlab is one of the very important tools for software developers.
 It provides you with an environment where you can solve all of your
computational problems.
 You can work with matrices, graphs, vectors, functions, arrays, plots etc.
You can make algorithms. Also you can create user interfaces.
 With Matlab, you can also interface programs written in other programming
languages.
 Matlab comes with additional software, Simulink that enables you to create
simulation.
 It is really a helpful tool for embedded software developers, as you can
work on sensors data, plot it and see response by changing certain
variables.
5. LabVIEW
 LabVIEW stands for Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench.
This software is also used for viewing output.
 The main functions that can be performed using LabVIEW are data
acquisition, industrial automation and instrument control.
 This software is basically for visual programming language.
 Some of the benefits of LabVIEW are:
o Libraries
o Interfacing to devices
o Parallel programming
o User community
 That was all about LabVIEW basics. The next on the list is PSpice.
6. PSpice
 SPICE stands for Simulation Program for Integrated Circuits Emphasis, and
PSpice is its version for personal computers.
 PSpice is simulation software that is used for simulating circuits.
 It helps in analyzing electronic circuitry, verifying circuit designs and
predicting their behavior.
 It has a number of libraries for digital and analog components.
 The components that are available include
o resistors,
o capacitors,
o voltage and current sources,
o Inductances etc.
 7. Proteus
 Proteus is kind of simulation software where you can create circuits, make
model of your embedded system including microcontroller to see how it
works, measure circuit parameters, change sensor values and much more.
 It helps you to create PCB (printed circuit board) design for your embedded
system.
 Microcontroller simulation is an important feature of this software where you
can load a hex file to your microcontroller in the design, connect all other
components to it and see how it works.
 This software runs only on Windows operating system.
8. Visual Studio
 Visual Studio is also an integrated development environment provided by
Microsoft.
 It is used for developing computer programs for Microsoft Windows.
 It can support different programming languages and basically consists of a
code editor and a debugger.
 With this software you can build different mobile apps, window apps,
extensions, games etc. The choice of language is yours.