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| en:iot-open:introductiontoembeddedprogramming2:programmingmodels [2023/11/23 10:18] – pczekalski | en:iot-open:introductiontoembeddedprogramming2:programmingmodels [2024/05/23 07:59] (current) – pczekalski |
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| ==== Bare Metal Programming ==== | ==== Bare Metal Programming ==== |
| The bare metal programming model is where the software developer builds firmware (usually from scratch or based on a stub generated by the SDK) and flashes it to the MCU. The MCU usually does not contain software other than technical ones necessary for starting and updating the device, e.g. a bootloader. The developer must implement all algorithms, communication, interfacing, storage, etc., on a low level. They may use 3rd party libraries to implement it, which **speeds** up development significantly. There is no operating system running in the background. Eventually, it comes with the firmware as part of it, as included by the developer, e.g. FreeRTOS ((https://www.freertos.org/)). | The bare metal programming model is where the software developer builds firmware (usually from scratch or based on a stub generated by the SDK) and flashes it to the MCU. The MCU usually does not contain software other than technical ones necessary for starting and updating the device, e.g. a bootloader. The developer must implement all algorithms, communication, interfacing, storage, etc., on a low level. They may use 3rd party libraries to implement it, which speeds up development significantly. There is no operating system running in the background. Eventually, it comes with the firmware as part of it, as included by the developer, e.g. FreeRTOS ((https://www.freertos.org/)). |
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| <note>Bare metal programming applies first to the Edge class devices, rarely to the Fog class.</note> | <note>Bare metal programming applies first to the Edge class devices, rarely to the Fog class.</note> |
| Bare metal programming requires a good understanding of the hardware configuration of the IoT device as well as the configuration of the software development toolchain. The MCU manufacturer usually provides SDK and related tools, but there do exist middleware solutions (such as PlatformIO ((https://platformio.org/))) that significantly simplify installation. | Bare metal programming requires a good understanding of the hardware configuration of the IoT device as well as the configuration of the software development toolchain. The MCU manufacturer usually provides SDK and related tools, but there do exist middleware solutions (such as PlatformIO ((https://platformio.org/))) that significantly simplify installation. |
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| In most cases, source code is written in C or C++ language or their combination (e.g. in the case of the STM). The development process for bare metal programming is present in the following figure {{ref>prog_img_baremetal}} and its features are discussed in table {{ref>prog_tbl_baremetal}}. In short, it requires developing, compiling and uploading the firmware to the device's flash memory. Programming uses a programmer (physical or Over-the-air - OTA, virtual interface). The bare metal model usually provides the capability of hardware development. | In most cases, source code is written in C or C++ language or their combination (e.g. in the case of the STM). The development process for bare metal programming is present in the following figure {{ref>prog_img_baremetal}} and its features are discussed in table {{ref>prog_tbl_baremetal}}. In short, it requires developing, compiling and uploading the firmware to the device's flash memory. Programming uses a programmer (physical or Over-the-air - OTA, virtual interface). The bare metal model usually provides hardware development capabilities. |
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| <figure prog_img_baremetal> | <figure prog_img_baremetal> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
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| The bare metal programming model is considered the only one to enable developers to have absolute control over the hardware on a very low level. On the one hand, it brings opportunities to implement non-standard solutions and optimal code in terms of compactness and efficiency; on the other, it increases time-to-market delivery. Recent advances in development supporting tools (e.g. AI-based code generation), wide availability of the libraries, standardisation of their presence and automated management, such as, e.g. in PlatformIO Library Management ((https://docs.platformio.org/en/latest/librarymanager/index.html)) significantly lower this time. | The bare metal programming model is considered the only one that enables developers to have absolute control over the hardware on a very low level. On the one hand, it brings opportunities to implement non-standard solutions and optimal code in terms of compactness and efficiency; on the other, it increases time-to-market delivery. Recent advances in development supporting tools (e.g. AI-based code generation), wide availability of the libraries, standardisation of their presence and automated management, such as, e.g. in PlatformIO Library Management ((https://docs.platformio.org/en/latest/librarymanager/index.html)) significantly lower this time. |
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| <table prog_tbl_baremetal> | <table prog_tbl_baremetal> |
