In the previous tutorial, we looked at getting started with ESP-IDF and created our first blinking LED project for the ESP32. The next step to effectively using ESP-IDF is to understand a little about CMake, which is the build system generator commonly used for low-level languages, like C/C++, for operating system and embedded system development. […]| Shawn Hymel
If you're a student exploring embedded systems or a professional developer looking to transition into the embedded side of IoT, building a personal project is| Shawn Hymel
This tutorial will walk you through the process of setting up ESP-IDF using a Docker container and build a basic blinking LED example from this repository: https://github.com/ShawnHymel/course-iot-with-esp-idf/. Here is a video version of the guide: Why ESP-IDF? The Espressif IoT Development Framework (ESP-IDF) is the official software development kit for the ESP32 family of microcontrollers. […]| Shawn Hymel
Autograders are systems that automatically evaluate and score student programming assignments by running their code against predefined tests, providing| Shawn Hymel
I’m standing outside, waiting for the shuttle to take a few of us to Adam Savage’s cave (yes, the cave from Tested), when a tall, friendly gentleman with a British accent offers four of us a ride in his rental car. He’s clearly a creator, so we all pile in. As we drive, we introduce […]| Shawn Hymel
Memory management is one of the most critical aspects of embedded systems development. In resource-constrained environments like microcontrollers, running out| Shawn Hymel
Too Many Tools. Not Enough Time. In the fast-moving world of embedded systems, staying current often feels like trying to drink from a firehose. Every few weeks, there’s a new RTOS, toolchain, board, protocol, or abstraction layer claiming to make development “easier” or “faster.” You’re probably juggling deadlines while also asking yourself: This is the […]| Shawn Hymel
When working with embedded systems, especially platforms like Zephyr, it’s not always practical to rely on real hardware. Maybe your dev board is in the mail,| Shawn Hymel
In a competitive field like embedded systems, knowing more isn’t enough. You have to prove it. You’ve likely spent the past year or two investing in new skills: working with IoT, experimenting with edge AI, exploring TensorFlow Lite, or mastering Zephyr RTOS. But when it comes to moving into a senior or team lead role, […]| Shawn Hymel
In the fast-evolving world of embedded systems and IoT, selecting the right operating system is critical. For skilled and intermediate engineers, understanding where a real-time operating system (RTOS) comes from (e.g. history, evolution, and the forces driving its development) can provide valuable context for making informed technical decisions. Zephyr, now one of the most robust […]| Shawn Hymel
I've followed Steve Branam on LinkedIn for a while and have always admired his steady growth through high-performing companies like iRobot, Dojo Five, and now| Shawn Hymel
I’m Shawn Hymel, an embedded systems engineer with a passion for teaching. Over the past decade, I’ve worked with DigiKey, Microsoft, Hackster, and Edge| Shawn Hymel
In this article, we break down why Zephyr is emerging as one of the most versatile RTOS platforms in the embedded space. We’ll compare it to bare-metal| Shawn Hymel
