Planning the long game: A roadmap into Embedded Robotics for grad school and beyond?

I'm a second-year student majoring in Robotics/Mechatronics Engineering at a top tech university in Vietnam. Right now, my program is pretty heavy on the mechanical side, but I really want to get deeper into electronics and computer science. Down the line, I'm thinking about a Master's in Electrical Engineering (EE) or Mechatronics & IT, focusing on using AI in robotics and automation.

While looking into different paths, I got really interested in embedded systems and IoT for robotics. It seems like a great fit because it mixes hardware and software, and you still need to understand the mechanical side to make things work properly. I'd love to learn more and build a career in this direction.

The thing is, my uni only has a couple of basic electrical courses (mostly about components and equipment). There aren't many options to dive deeper into electronics or embedded programming here, so I'd really appreciate some advice from people in the field.

Could you give me some guidance on:

* What fundamental topics should I focus on learning on my own? (e.g., microcontrollers, digital/analog circuits, communication protocols, maybe RTOS?)
* What programming languages and tools are must-knows? (I've heard C/C++ is key, but what about Python, Linux, or PCB design tools?)
* Any good starter projects or resources to help me build a hands-on portfolio?

Also, it would be awesome if you could suggest some universities known for their strong programs in this area. I'm hoping to plan ahead, with the goal of pursuing a combined Master's/PhD while working on side projects before jumping into the industry.

Any tips, personal experiences, or resource recommendations would be a huge help. Thanks so much!


https://redd.it/1pxo2ru
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Legality and Code Libraries?

I'm working on an STM32 project. I've also been trying to stay away from Arduino hardware and software for learning purposes, and due to the recent Qualcomm take over

Right now the project needs a small LCD display to display some text. I've seen a lot of info saying to use a pre-built library from GitHub. Problem is it's converted from an Arduino based library...

I'm confused on if I can use this code and what limitations there could be? Would changes in the Arduino TOS affect a library converted from their own, and an old GPL license, last updated 7 years ago? (The code in question) https://github.com/SayidHosseini/STM32LiquidCrystal

Legally, what should I worry about or consider here?

https://redd.it/1pxwb1d
@r_embedded

Sensor not working when ethernet is connected in STM32

Hey peeps, I am a fresher who got placed as an embedded engineer. I did my bachelors in Computer Science Engineering. So I am new to the embedded world. As a part of my training I and a friend is working in a project where we seem to be stuck because of ethernet/RJ45.
The project is about using a gesture sensor to detect gestures and map it to a certain action. So whenever that gesture is performed associated action will take place.
The issue: We were able to detect gestures and print what gesture was being detected, but to move forward we needed to use ethernet/LWIP. So in normal case, when I hold 1 finger it prints "count 1" and when its 2 fingers it prints "count 2" and so on. We keep polling to see if there is gesture and so as long as we show the gesture the output keeps getting printed. Now if we connect the ethernet cable to the board this stops working, like the output sometimes only prints the gesture that we are showing otherwise it prints the default value(which is shown when no gesture is detected).

Board I am using: STM32 nucleo F207ZG
Sensor l am using: Grove Smart IR Gesture Sensor V1.1 PAJ7660 (https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/grove_gesture_paj7660/)
Output is being shown in PUTTY.
Link to github: https://github.com/txr-academy/GestLink

https://redd.it/1pxxrtr
@r_embedded

I built a developer kit for my recent AFR (air to fuel ratio) gauge project

https://preview.redd.it/9yv8mheorz9g1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=768fcf32a2f58e8d621e3abad4bd07f4d603c9d2

Actually this is my first complex project where ım using a LCD its a 2 inch tft display with a ILI9225 driver and ım using the 16 bit mode to drive it and ı added some buttons buzzer and a pot for a adc simulation

https://redd.it/1pxz813
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Are breakout boards used in commercial/industrial products?

Are breakout boards used in commercial/industrial products?

Hello everyone. I had this simple question.

BME280 is a very small sensor itself and most often it comes with it's own breakout board.

I was wondering if people in industry use these breakout boards as they are? As soldering bme280 itself, the tiny silver cube, imo seems a difficult task.

https://redd.it/1py1spv
@r_embedded

Where can I learn the business aspect of embedded systems?

I'm jobless but I think I know many things in embedded software.

Companies are rejecting me. Feeling like I have reached a dead end.

Which study could give me the knowledge by which I could understand business aspect of embedded systems?

https://redd.it/1py6330
@r_embedded

Stm32L476RG

Hello all , does anyone have any .c and .h files for the liquid lcd display? Im on bare metal c right now ive done code myself but i just get blocks and not full text.

https://redd.it/1py8rn2
@r_embedded

STM32 FDCAN goes Error Passive when transmitting shared CAN IDs (same ID, different payload) — existing system works fine, how to coexist?

Hi everyone,

I’m integrating a new STM32H7-based ECU (FDCAN, Classic CAN mode) into an existing vehicle CAN bus.

There are 3 shared arbitration IDs (e.g. 0x7A1 / 0x7A2 / 0x7A3) that multiple ECUs already publish on this bus.
Each ECU sends different payloads on the same ID (HW/FW/version info).
This has been running in production across many vehicles for years.

When my ECU also starts transmitting these shared IDs, my node alone starts accumulating TX ACK errors, TEC rises, and it enters Error Passive (PSR_EP=1). Eventually transmission stalls.
Other ECUs continue operating normally.

Key observations:

RX works fine (REC stays \~0)
CEL stays 0 (no framing/stuff errors)
TEC rises steadily during shared-ID transmission
If I stop sending those shared IDs, my ECU is stable
Bench setup works better; vehicle bus triggers the issue
Other ECUs use a mix of Classic CAN + FDCAN and RTOS-based TX queues. I only use a normal, bare metal queueing approach

Questions:

1. Is this expected CAN behavior when multiple nodes transmit the same arbitration ID with different payloads?
2. Why would only my node go Error Passive while others remain stable?
3. Are there any workarounds for sharing common arbitration IDs

I understand this setup is not CAN-spec compliant, but I need to integrate with an existing architecture. I can modify TX timing and retry logic, but I cannot change the IDs or remove periodic transmission.

Thanks!

https://redd.it/1pycr7y
@r_embedded

Is it possible to get an Embedded Engineering job with a BSc in Computer Engineering + MSc in Embedded Systems

Exactly what the question says, I'm majoring in CE and want to get my MSc in Embedded Systems and I want to know if this will help me boost my chances of landing a job in said field.

https://redd.it/1pye0bb
@r_embedded

Preparing for a specific position in defense, should i push bare metal or no (cortex m)

Im new to embedded, ive been working on it for a few months. Im preparing for a us based company and a guy i know works there and he gave me a short list of what they require. Among other things theres motor control and communication protocols such as spi,i2c, can, uart. How do i prepare for this? Should i push bare metal? Where it makes sense to use bare metal? For some motor control methods such as foc? For communication protocols with sensors?

https://redd.it/1pyf5wu
@r_embedded

What's the difference between a System on Chip (SoC) and a System on Module (SoM) ??

Thanks

https://redd.it/1pygk7y
@r_embedded

How to get IAR for ARM

I am trying to get an IAR license for my lab. I've submitted requests a few times through their form but haven't heard back yet. I also contacted my county's sales person but no luck. What should I try?

https://redd.it/1pyjas6
@r_embedded

What are the common challenges in debugging embedded systems with real-time constraints?

Debugging embedded systems can be particularly challenging, especially when real-time constraints are involved. In my experience, issues like race conditions, timing problems, and resource contention can make finding the root cause of a problem difficult. I'm curious to know what specific techniques or tools other developers use to tackle these challenges. Do you rely on hardware debuggers, software tracing, or perhaps even simulation tools? How do you ensure that your debugging process does not interfere with the system's real-time performance? Additionally, if you've faced unique issues while debugging, sharing those experiences could provide valuable insights to others in the community. Let's discuss the best practices and tools that can help streamline the debugging process in embedded systems with strict timing requirements.

https://redd.it/1pykjw4
@r_embedded

BME280 sensor in I2C mode
https://redd.it/1pyl56x
@r_embedded

Looking for multi-output isolated flyback converter reference design (12–48V, up to 3A)

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a **multi-output isolated flyback converter reference design**. bcoz, i do not have enough time to develop new flyback and transformer.

**Requirements:**

* Input: some 300 to 380Vdc. (open to common industrial ranges)
* Outputs: **multiple isolated outputs**
* Output voltage range: **12V to 48V**
* All outputs must be **greater than 12V**
* At least **one output: >12V @ ≥3A.**
* Other outputs: **>12V @ ≥2A**
* Each output must be **isolated from the others**

If you know of any **TI / ST / Infineon / Power Integrations or other** reference designs, app notes, or evaluation boards that match (or are close), please share.

Any guidance on controller ICs suitable for this power level would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

https://redd.it/1pyk4he
@r_embedded

Embedded Swift, look inside:
https://redd.it/1pyoieq
@r_embedded

Project Concept: Solar-powered "Audio Mesh" to monitor the Amazon Rainforest. I need a reality check on the Power Budget.

Hi everyone,

I am based in Belém, Brazil (Amazon region), and I am designing a scalable hardware solution to detect illegal deforestation and poaching in real-time.

The Problem: Satellite imagery is reactive (too slow). We need ground-level bioacoustic monitoring. The Idea: Air-drop thousands of low-cost, solar-powered IoT sensors into the canopy. They use Edge AI to detect chainsaws/gunshots and send alerts via Satellite (Starlink Direct-to-Cell or LoRaWAN).

The Challenge: The environment is brutal (100% humidity, heat, rain). I am struggling with the power architecture for a "deploy-and-forget" device that lasts 5+ years.

My questions for this community:

1. MCU: I'm considering the ESP32-S3 for AI capabilities, but I'm worried about deep-sleep power consumption. Would an STM32 be a safer bet for extreme efficiency?
2. Power: LiFePO4 vs. Supercapacitors? Given the canopy shade, solar harvesting will be tricky. Are supercaps viable for short bursts of satellite transmission?
3. Protection: For the Amazon humidity, is standard conformal coating enough, or do I need full resin potting (which kills thermal management)?

I am looking for brutal technical feedback. If anyone has experience with remote sensors in tropical environments, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks from the Amazon!

https://redd.it/1pynppt
@r_embedded

e2 studio load times are insane

So, I just got into MCUs that aren't called arduino, and I came across STM32 and Renesas. I downloaded e2 studio and CubeIDE to see which is better, and well both are ok I really didnt go too deep into the development because they are both eclipse anyways, so the most immediate differences I found were that the clocks, pin configs, interrupts etc are always in the same location at your fingertips in the e2 studio but not in the CubeIDE which needs extra steps like finding the ioc file (didnt generate when I created the project [version 2.0.0\]). Then there is the load times

STM CubeIDE loads in 1 minute

e2 studio took 10min damn!!!!!!

what gives? any suggestions to decrease the load time?

https://redd.it/1pyqxv8
@r_embedded

write lib for sx1278

Hi everyone,
I’m trying to initialize the SX1278 LoRa module directly from the datasheet, but I’m having trouble figuring out which registers I actually need to set and in what order. The datasheet lists a lot of registers and parameters, but it doesn’t explicitly say which ones are required for basic initialization.

Can someone point me to the specific sections/pages in the official datasheet that explain how to set up the module for LoRa mode, frequency, spreading factor, bandwidth, preamble, and TX/RX mode? I want to understand this directly from the documentation rather than relying on example code.

https://redd.it/1pyqs3p
@r_embedded

Troubles with entering the bootloader of the CH32V203

Hi everyone,

I have just recently seriously started my journey into embedded electronics. Part of my project requires making a fully functioning development board based on the CH32V203(C8T6) SoC. I've designed a PCB, gotten it manufactured, and soldered the components. Fortunately, it worked and I could see the chip appear on my `lsusb` list. I've spent ages trying to write code onto it (I ended up making my own C program for that).

It worked - I wrote a blinky and even drove an 8-bit LED array with cool patterns. Then, I went to sleep and woke up. The chip no longer wanted to appear as a USB device on my PC.

Here is some interesting behaviour I noticed:
I hold BOOT0 and press RESET. The chip resets, good. Then, as soon as, and only *after*, I let go of BOOT0, the LED program starts instead of the bootloader. Even while BOOT0 is held, no appearance of it as a USB device.

I investigated and though that maybe it was the external crystal at fault (I wired it up wrong) so I re-soldered it diagonally. Nope.

I even spent a day soldering another board (of the same design) and that works! Still, I would like my first board to work as well in case this issue arises on the second one as well.

I couldn't have fried it while soldering as it broke overnight. Maybe I pushed too much current? But why do the LEDs work then and not the bootloader?


Unfortunately, I do not have the WCH-Link to debug over SWIO and I don't have a seller close by. What do I do?


Thank you!

https://redd.it/1pyv5da
@r_embedded

BinForge – Post-Build ESP32 Firmware Tool & Framework for Injecting Data
https://redd.it/1pyu9fx
@r_embedded