4 ms·

> Heh, when I think of embedded code I don't think of 12 MB. ARM processors are so cheap these days that I think your idea of “embedded” is a bit stagnant or t

> Heh, when I think of embedded code I don't think of 12 MB. ARM processors are so cheap these days that I think your idea of “embedded” is a bit stagnant or too focused in one field. I’ve built and shipped a product where it had an ARM processor and ample flash (among a bunch of other components) packaged the size of a key fob and the BOM cost is way less than I used to pay for Arduino or other micro controllers.

keithnz 9y ago
It's not that cheap, having recently gone through the process of looking at a hardware refresh of one our devices, anything that runs Linux ended up too expensive as it really needs something with a MMU and more RAM. Not to mention boot times are an issue. Real Time is trickier, also if low power is a issue, then it's really a bad idea. Rust is kind of interesting in this space, but a little bleeding edge, will likely look at adopting it later. Ended up picking an Cortex-M3 and using FreeRTOS. With a C / Lua mix. Not because I particularly prefer them, but it requires the least compromises. Also writing robust embedded C code is pretty well understood with many common patterns. Still, it requires being more diligent and disciplined than many other languages.
spotman 9y ago
> and the BOM cost is way less than I used to pay for Arduino one would hope so, arduino is a retail packing of other chips into a kit.
- jsjohnst 9y ago
  Read what you quoted, let alone what I said fully, and you’ll understand how your comment is of questionable value. I clearly stated the entire BOM cost (which includes all other chips needed to make the device function), so your point is moot at best.
vvanders 9y ago
That's very much dependent on volume. $0.50 @ 1M units = $500,000k. You'll always see the crunch at high volume it's just small to medium volume where your options open up. Back when I was in the smartphone business we'd easily see 10M+ volume on a single device and the associated BoM was tuned to a tenth of a penny.
- jsjohnst 9y ago
  Even at quantities of 1M, you barely would get ARM processors for $0.50 each, let alone entire BOM cost of a device.

keithnz 9y ago

It's not that cheap, having recently gone through the process of looking at a hardware refresh of one our devices, anything that runs Linux ended up too expensive as it really needs something with a MMU and more RAM. Not to mention boot times are an issue. Real Time is trickier, also if low power is a issue, then it's really a bad idea. Rust is kind of interesting in this space, but a little bleeding edge, will likely look at adopting it later. Ended up picking an Cortex-M3 and using FreeRTOS. With a C / Lua mix. Not because I particularly prefer them, but it requires the least compromises. Also writing robust embedded C code is pretty well understood with many common patterns. Still, it requires being more diligent and disciplined than many other languages.

spotman 9y ago

> and the BOM cost is way less than I used to pay for Arduino one would hope so, arduino is a retail packing of other chips into a kit.

jsjohnst 9y ago
Read what you quoted, let alone what I said fully, and you’ll understand how your comment is of questionable value. I clearly stated the entire BOM cost (which includes all other chips needed to make the device function), so your point is moot at best.

vvanders 9y ago

That's very much dependent on volume. $0.50 @ 1M units = $500,000k. You'll always see the crunch at high volume it's just small to medium volume where your options open up. Back when I was in the smartphone business we'd easily see 10M+ volume on a single device and the associated BoM was tuned to a tenth of a penny.

jsjohnst 9y ago
Even at quantities of 1M, you barely would get ARM processors for $0.50 each, let alone entire BOM cost of a device.