Lesson 1Backup Power Choices: Supercapacitors, UPS, Battery-Backed RTC — Sizing and Use CasesDetails backup power plans using supercapacitors, UPS modules, and battery-backed RTCs, including sizing calculations, charge handling, data-flush timing, and common use cases like smooth shutdown and short power cuts.
Use Cases for Short-Term Backup PowerSupercapacitor Selection and Sizing CalculationsEmbedded UPS Modules and Charger DesignBattery-Backed RTC and TimekeepingCoordinating Backup with Firmware ShutdownLesson 2Strong Power Design: Input Protection, Sudden Change Suppression (TVS Diodes), Filtering, Isolation, and Bulk CapacitanceFocuses on strong power input design, including fuses, reverse polarity and overvoltage protection, sudden change suppression with TVS diodes, LC and RC filtering, galvanic isolation, and bulk capacitance placement for steady work.
Input Fusing, Inrush, and Reverse PolarityTVS Diodes and Surge Protection ChoicesLC, RC, and Common-Mode Input FilteringIsolation Setups and Safety SpacingBulk Capacitance Sizing and PlacementLesson 3Industrial Input/Output and Link Hardware: Isolated UART/RS-485 Transceivers, Isolated CAN PHYs, Ethernet PHYs with Magnetics, ADC Front Ends for 4–20mALooks at industrial I/O hardware, including isolated UART and RS-485, isolated CAN PHYs, Ethernet PHYs with magnetics, and 4–20 mA ADC front ends, focusing on isolation, EMC strength, protection, and field wiring limits.
Isolated UART and RS-485 Transceiver DesignIsolated CAN PHYs and Bus ProtectionEthernet PHYs, Magnetics, and Layout Rules4–20 mA Current Loop Input Front EndsSurge, ESD, and Overvoltage ProtectionLesson 4Memory and Lasting Storage Choices: Flash, eMMC, SD Cards, Wear-Levelling, and Filesystem Options (Journaling, Log-Structured)Explores embedded nonvolatile memory choices, comparing NOR/NAND flash, eMMC, and SD cards, with focus on endurance, wear-levelling, speed, and filesystem choices like journaling and log-structured for dependability.
NOR vs NAND Flash CharacteristicseMMC Architecture and Reliability ModesSD Card Selection for Embedded SystemsWear-Levelling, Endurance, and Write PatternsJournaling and Log-Structured FilesystemsData Integrity, Power-Fail Safe TechniquesLesson 5Hardware Watchdog Circuits and Oversight ICs, Programmable Supervisors, and Reset SourcesDescribes hardware watchdogs, supervisor ICs, and reset sources, explaining how to watch supply rails and system health, set up programmable supervisors, and design reliable reset trees that avoid lockups and unwanted resets.
Internal vs External Watchdog StrategiesWindowed Watchdogs and Fault CoverageVoltage Supervisors and Reset GeneratorsProgrammable Supervisors and SequencingDesigning Robust Reset Distribution TreesLesson 6Brown-Out Detection, Reset Plans, and Power Sequencing Best PracticesCovers brown-out detection, reset timing, and power sequencing best practices, including threshold picks, hysteresis, controlled ramp-up, and coordination between multiple rails to prevent latch-up, corruption, and unclear states.
Brown-Out Thresholds and Hysteresis DesignReset Timing, Delays, and Glitch FilteringMulti-Rail Sequencing Order and TimingPreventing Latch-Up and Undefined StatesTesting Brown-Out and Recovery BehaviourLesson 7Picking a Main Processing Base: Microcontroller vs Single-Board Computer — Tradeoffs and Decision CriteriaLooks at how to choose between microcontrollers and single-board computers, comparing speed, power, real-time behaviour, OS support, connections, safety, and lifecycle, and setting decision criteria for industrial and embedded products.
Speed, Memory, and Real-Time LimitsPower Budget, Heat Limits, and SizeOperating System, Drivers, and EcosystemConnectivity, Multimedia, and Expansion NeedsSafety, Security, and Certification AspectsCost, Lifecycle, and Supply Chain RisksLesson 8PCB Layout and Hardware Practices for Noisy Environments: Grounding, Star Grounds, Signal Routing, Common-Mode Chokes, and DecouplingCovers PCB layout plans for noisy and industrial environments, focusing on grounding schemes, star grounds, controlled signal routing, common-mode chokes, and decoupling networks to cut EMI, crosstalk, and ground bounce problems.
Ground Planes, Splits, and Star Ground PatternsHigh-Speed and Sensitive Signal Routing RulesPlacement of Decoupling and Bulk CapacitorsUse of Common-Mode Chokes and Ferrite BeadsGuard Traces, Stitching Vias, and Return Paths
