Embedded Computing
  • About
  • Blog
  • Hardware
    • Which Platform?
    • Controller Platforms >
      • Adafruit Platform
      • Arduino Plaform
      • BBC micro:bit
      • Espressif Platform
      • iLabs Platform
      • Raspberry Pi Platform (MCU)
      • Seeed Platform
      • Silicon Labs Platform
      • Teensy Plaform
    • Computer Platforms >
      • BeagleBone Platform
      • Raspberry Pi Platform (SBC)
      • UDOO Platform
    • Peripherals >
      • Shields
      • Grove System
      • Sensors
      • Actuators
    • Displays >
      • E-Paper Displays
      • Reflective Displays
      • TFT Displays
      • LCD Displays
    • Legacy Platforms >
      • chipKIT Plaform
      • 4D Systems Platform
      • Intel Platform
      • LaunchPad Plaform
      • BoosterPacks for LaunchPads
      • LightBlue Bean
      • Maple Plaform
      • Mediatek Platform
      • Microsoft Azure IoT DevKit
      • Particle Platform
  • Software
    • Exploring RTOS with Galaxia >
      • Event Library
      • Semaphore Library
      • Mailbox Library
      • Timer Library
      • Clock Library
      • SWI Library
      • Task Library
    • Ultra-Low Power with EnergyTrace >
      • Ultra-Low Power with MSP430
      • Ultra-Low Power with Energia MT and Galaxia
    • Using Integers Instead of Reals
    • Going Python?
  • IoT
    • IoT Platforms: Which Hardware? >
      • Matter with Silicon Labs MG24
    • IoT Services: Which Solution? >
      • Recommended IoT Solutions
      • Platform-Specific IoT Solutions
      • Other IoT Solutions
      • Not tested IoT Solutions
      • Notification Solutions
    • Get Date and Time from Internet with NTP
    • Fast and Easy WiFi Connection with QR-Code
  • Tools
    • How to Start?
    • Reference >
      • Asking for Help
      • Boards Pins Maps
      • Ruler
      • Boards and Plugs
      • I²C Logic Level Converter
      • Standards for Connectors
    • Training >
      • Texas Instruments Workshops
      • Embedded Systems: Shape The World — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.02x
      • Embedded Systems - Shape The World: Microcontroller Input/Output — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.10x
      • Embedded Systems - Shape The World: Multi-Threaded Interfacing — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.20x
      • Real-Time Bluetooth Networks: Shape the World — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.RTBN.12.01x
      • Systems Thinking with Texas Instruments Robotics System Learning Kit
    • Books >
      • Getting Started with the MSP430 LaunchPad
      • Getting Started with Arduino
      • Arduino Cookbook
    • IDE >
      • The Battle of IDEs
      • More Options
      • Assessing the Next Generation of IDEs
      • Tools for Documentation
    • Equipment >
      • Saleae Logic Analyser
      • Rigol DS1102E Oscilloscope
      • XDS110 Debug Probe with EnergyTrace​
      • Segger J-Link Programmer-Debugger
      • Nordic Power Profiler Kit II
  • Projects
    • Libraries >
      • Master I²C Software Library
      • Date and Time Library
      • highView Library Suite
      • Others Libraries
    • smartDevices >
      • I²C smartColours Smart Sensor
      • I²C smartRFID Smart Sensor
      • I²C smartLED Display
      • I²C smartControls Smart Device
      • I²C smartWiFi Smart Device
      • I²C smartBLE Smart Device
      • I²C smartNode Smart Device
    • IoT Projects >
      • Remote E-Paper Weather and Message Board
      • Typie-Walkie with LoRa and E-Paper Screen
      • Typie-Walkie with E-Paper Screen
      • Remote e-Paper Pictures Panel
      • Remote e-Paper Messages Panel
      • Industrial IoT Project
      • Remote Contactless Temperature Monitor
      • Using Node-RED for IIoT
      • Low Power Home Network Weather Monitoring
      • Updated Low Power Home Network Weather Monitoring
      • Weather and Security Station with Blynk
      • SensorTag to Blynk Using Node-RED
      • Pervasive Reporting
    • AI Projects >
      • Colour Recognition with Neural Network
    • Other Projects >
      • Air Quality Monitoring
      • Driving a Large E-Paper Display with a Compact Xiao RP2040
      • Low-Power E-Paper Weather Station
      • Portable Particulate​ Matter Monitor
      • FRAM-based E-Paper Screen Controller
      • General Purpose 3.5" Screen
      • Colour Recognition with Neural Network
      • A Low Power Weather Station
      • Digital Volt-Amp-Watt Meter
      • Mobile Measurement with LCD Display
      • Screen with SRAM for GUI
      • Volt-Amp-Watt-Meter for Grove
      • Multi-Touch Project with CapTIvate

How to Ask for Help

I'm over-solicited by mails asking me for help. 

Most of the time, it is really difficult to understand the question as it is poorly worded. 

Here are some useful tips for a winning question!

Provide a Qualified Question

  • Provide information about your configuration, both hardware and software, including: model of board used and revision number, model of the MCU used. 
  • Provide the model of the additional shield or sensor or actuator or screen used, as well as links to the shield or sensor or actuator or screen data sheet.
  • Provide the name and version of the IDE used and the OS the IDE is running on
  • Extract minimal code relevant to the issue, as the first test to perform to qualify an issue is to replicate it. 
  • Provide all kinds of measures that may be useful, like logic analyser trace, oscilloscope screen-shots, ... The links saves time and provides the reader with direct access to the documentation.
Example:

  • LaunchPad MSP430G2 revision 1.5 --as there's a LaunchPad MSP430G2 revision 1.4 and a LaunchPad MSP430F5529
  • MSP430G2553 —as there're also the MSP430G2452 and the MSP430G2231 for the same LaunchPad MSP430G2
  • Anaren CC110L BoosterPack 
  • Energia 11 --or Energia 11 framework on Xcode or on CCS 6
  • Windows 8.1 64-bit --or the specific Linux distribution or Mac OS X 10.9.1

Consider the Power of Sharing

If you're a hobbyist
  • Use Google!
  • Search the forums! There are many great forums, and each platform has its dedicated forums. And the answer you're looking for may be already available, wanting for you!
  • So join a community, contribute and share your questions and answers.

If you're a student
  • As a student, your full-time job is to learn. 
  • Embedded computing is a wide and complex world. Each protocol —SPI, I²C, CAN, UART— is different and requires a learning curve. 
  • There's no alternative but learning the hard way.
  • Have you already asked your teachers and colleges for help?

Some Useful Forums

Click to open the forum.
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Get the Right Tools

Software
Not all IDEs are equal. Some projects require more powerful tools.
  • For small projects, the a Processing-based Wiring-derived Arduino-like IDEs provide a fine and easy-to-use IDE —for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.
  • For larger projects and rapid prototyping, use instead a plug-in based on the Processing-based Wiring-derived Arduino-like framework for a professional IDE, like Visual Micro for Visual Studio —for Windows— or embedXcode for Xcode —for Mac OS X.
  • For professional projects, use the official IDE from the MCU maker. For example, consider ATmel Studio --for Windows—, Code Composer Studio from Texas Instruments —for Windows and Linux—, MPLab X from Microchip —for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.
Hardware
You also need minimal equipment, including 
  • a multimeter, 
  • a logic analyser —like the Saleae I'm using— 
  • and optionally an oscilloscope —like the Rigol I'm using.

Be Polite

Strange as it may sound:
  • Thank those who have helped you.
  • Give credit to those who have helped you.

Avoid Direct Mail

Here's an example of the typical messages I'm receiving on a daily basis.

​Some even post on Twitter expecting for help!
Hi!

I am trying to communicate a board with a sensor through the I²C protocol and it doesn't work.

Here's my code. Thank you for help.
Unfortunately most of the time, those message appear to be sent by engineers posing as false hobbyists or students, looking for free advice. 

I'm just a hobbyist and I consider this approach unfair and unethical. So be ready to receive the following standard answer.

Also of interest, read About Libraries.
Hi!

Before considering an answer to your question, please certify you are a hobbyist working on a private project not for sale.

On the contrary, please consider hourly fees, with a minimum of two hours.

Best regards, 
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