Where code meets reality, embedded systems come at that intersection, demanding precision, efficiency, and careful planning. But how does it become possible, meeting microcontroller constraints, real-time requirements, and open source tools?
There are many engineers who bring experience across both microcontroller-based embedded systems and Linux-based environments. With this mix in mind, the focus here remains on microcontroller-based embedded systems and what makes them unique, challenging, and genuinely fascinating.
With a background in electrical engineering and instrumentation, my professional work has centred on embedded systems across consumer electronics, retail, medical devices, and automotive applications. Across both industry roles and consulting, one lesson has remained constant throughout this journey: embedded systems are never solely software or solely hardware. They exist precisely at the intersection of both.
Why embedded systems need a different mindset
Embedded development requires a mindset very different from traditional software engineering. Development is rarely done for systems with screens, keyboards or immediate visual feedback or any sort of human-computer interface [HCI]. Many embedded devices remain silent, offering limited ways to signal errors or failures.
When an issue occurs in the field, fixing it can be expensive, time-consuming, or even impossible sometimes. This reality drives a careful, requirement-driven development process rather than fast iteration cycles. Typically, the validation cycles are long but are justified, by being a small fraction of the cost of a field failure. Reliability often matters more than speed of change.
Timing is critical. In many embedded systems, delays of just a few microseconds can cause failure. In safety-critical applications such as automotive electronics, timing errors of millisecond order can become life-threatening. This makes real-time behaviour and real-time operating systems essential. Correct code alone is not enough. Code must execute at precisely the right moment.
The constraint of resources adds another layer of complexity. While modern computers rely on gigabytes of memory, embedded systems operate only with a few kilobytes of random access memory (RAM). Even devices as simple as remotes may run on eight to thirty-two kilobytes. So every variable, buffer,, and data structure must be carefully planned.
In embedded systems, programming knowledge alone is not sufficient. It demands a strong understanding of processor architecture, memory layouts, peripherals, and hardware interfaces. Sensors, analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs), general-purpose input/output (GPIOs), memory blocks, and communication buses become part of everyday engineering decisions.
Open tools, real control and practical workflows
A key theme is the use of free and open source tools for embedded system development. It is important to distinguish between free software and open source software. A tool can be free to use too while remaining a closed source, for example, Visual Studio Code.
Open source tools provide access to the source code and are governed by licenses that define how software can be used, modified, and shared. These licenses carry real implications. Some licenses require changes to be shared when software is distributed, while others are more permissive. Ignoring these licensing terms can lead to serious issues later, particularly for startups and commercial products, adding to product development costs.
The value of open source tools goes beyond cost savings. Flexibility also plays an equally important role. Proprietary tools often lock teams into specific ecosystems, making future hardware or software changes difficult. Open source tools allow teams to adapt, migrate and expand without long-term vendor dependency.
This approach is well illustrated by the RP2040 microcontroller from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It combines strong performance with low cost, dual cores, flexible input output and strong community support. It demonstrates how open hardware and open tooling can deliver practical and measurable value.
A complete embedded workflow relies on several essential tools. Git provides the foundation for version control and collaboration. Editors, compilers, build systems, and debuggers complete the toolchain. Cross compilation plays a central role, with code written on a powerful development machine but compiled for a different target architecture. The resulting binary is intended for the microcontroller and not the host computer.
Debugging embedded systems presents both hardware and software challenges. Simple print statements are often insufficient and impractical. Debug probes and hardware debuggers are required to inspect systems while they are running. This process is slow and requires more hands-on, frequently requiring physical access to the device.
Lastly, the purpose is to demystify embedded systems. It is both constrained, precise, and demanding, and, deeply rewarding. With the right mindset and the right open source tools in hand, building a reliable embedded system becomes not only achievable but highly satisfying.
This article is based on a talk delivered at India Electronics Week (IEW) 2025 on 26 February 2025, during the EFY Expo at KTPO, Whitefield, Bengaluru. Titled ‘Building the Open Source Edge Using FOSS Tools for Embedded Systems Development’, the session featured the opening address by Subhojit Basu, Chief Systems Architect at BareMetal Turnkey Products LLP. The talk was transcribed and curated by Saba Aafreen, Technical Journalist at Electronics For You (EFY).
