Module 1: Understanding Hardware Design

In Module 1, we take you through the design flow we use here at Freaklabs to take devices from idea to prototype to deployment. We also introduce the basic hardware and software blocks common to most devices, their terminology, and what they do.

• 1.1: Understand the Design Flow
• 1.2.1:  Understand the full design stack: Hardware 
• 1.2.2: Understand the full design stack: Memory power 
• 1.3: Understand the full design stack: Software

Click here for supporting materials – video slides, terminology sheet, downloads and reference links

1.1  The Hardware Design Flow

We go through the phases of the hardware design process including the initial idea, requirements gathering, prototyping, testing, deployment and maintenance.

1.1 – Hardware Design Flow slides (PDF)

1.2.1 Full Design Stack – Hardware

We’ll look at the layers that make up an embedded device or piece of hardware: physical hardware + embedded software + application. Then we’ll dive deeper into into the physical hardware including MCU, input/out devices, ports, pins, analogue versus digital, peripherals and accessories.

1.2.1 – Full Design Stack – Hardware slides (PDF)

1.2.2 Full Design Stack – Memory & Power

We’ll give an overview of RAM and Flash memory, how to determine power consumption, tips on saving power and understanding battery voltage.

1.2.2 – Full Design Stack – Memory & Power slides (PDF)

1.3 Full Design Stack  – Software

Next we look at the software. We look at embedded software including what libraries and drivers do.

Then we look at application software (what we’re writing in the course) and why we’re using the command line to start programming.

1.3 – Full Design Stack – Software slides (PDF)

Supporting Materials

Terminology Sheet

Module 1 Terminology Cheatsheet (PDF)

Video Slides

1.1 – Hardware Design Flow slides (PDF)

1.2.1 – Full Design Stack – Hardware slides (PDF)

1.2.2 – Full Design Stack – Memory & Power slides (PDF)

1.3 – Full Design Stack – Software slides (PDF)

Conversations & Troubleshooting

Module 1 Discussion (forum)

Live Event: Office Hours (video)