In most of my course work to-date it's been with no OS and just a while (forever loop) driven by interrupt service routines.
Currently, I use an AMTEL AVR 2560; however, I've heard good things about the TI ones.
I honestly don't know where I want to focus yet. I figured I'll continue to take some more classes to get some breadth on the subject. Once I have a better idea of what peaks my interest I'll jump into the depth for a more specialized approach when I can make a better educated decision.
Good call on Make. I've been meaning to check it out, but haven't gotten around to it.
Thank you for all the resource links. I really appreciate your response.
I'm glad that you like the info. I see that you're working on very low level stuff. Can you go even lower and deal with sensors, resistors, capacitors, opamps, and the like? These days there is a reference design in white papers somewhere so you don't need to be and expert in electronics to get away with something that works. You just need access to the tools such as multimeters and oscilloscopes.
I'm thinking sensor networks. If you can, then I would recommend to try something using the MSP430 for example, given its low power requirements. Take the microcontrollers and pair them with different sensors (eg., IR, temperature, etc) and an RF module such as xbee [9] in order to create a mesh network [10]. You'll need to work on the protocol and management side too-- a linux box somewhere with a database but that should not be a problem for you. But I realize that is more of a team project given the amount of work.
I mention this because I see some activity in this field and lately I've seen several articles, mostly in The Economist, that talk extensively on how sensor networks and the system that manage them will encroach our daily life. So if you can't figth them, might as well join them.
I'll be taking a DSP and RF class soon - so, yes, I'll be able to go lower eventually :-) My background is in CS with the bare minimum of EE. For the most part, this is all new to me.
I'll take a look at the sensor networks. Thanks again.
Currently, I use an AMTEL AVR 2560; however, I've heard good things about the TI ones.
I honestly don't know where I want to focus yet. I figured I'll continue to take some more classes to get some breadth on the subject. Once I have a better idea of what peaks my interest I'll jump into the depth for a more specialized approach when I can make a better educated decision.
Good call on Make. I've been meaning to check it out, but haven't gotten around to it.
Thank you for all the resource links. I really appreciate your response.
Cheers!