Last week, I shared an observation that the application layer in embedded systems is often overlooked — especially compared to low-level work like drivers, BSPs, and microcontroller setup — and why I believe that is the case. (That post is linked here) 👉 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻

In that post, I suggested we could elevate the quality of the application layer in embedded systems by adopting proven design techniques from the desktop, mobile, and enterprise software domains.

🚀 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀/𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 We can go even further by adopting workflows from the other domains to improve quality:

• Agile-style development: iterations, demos, early feedback
• TDD / Unit testing: validate logic without hardware
• CI/CD pipelines: build/test on every commit
• Static analysis & coverage tools: get feedback and metrics

These help us test, demo, and gather feedback early, building confidence that the behavior is correct and intentional.

💡 𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 Ideally, these processes and workflows are applied across all system layers, but even limiting them to the application layer yields major benefits.

This is done by isolating application logic from hardware:

• Run on PC or CI (dual-targeting)
• Stub/mock interfaces (GPIO, I2C, UART)
• Simulate inputs (sensors, user events)

This enables early validation of application logic and lowers integration risk when the hardware becomes available.

🚧 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸?

• Lack of exposure to modern processes/ workflows and their benefits
• Perceived simplicity of application logic

🔧 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝘅 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁

• Teach modern software practices in embedded education
• Cross-pollinate ideas from desktop, mobile, web

🏁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 Modern workflows like TDD, CI, and agile iteration help us build embedded applications that are higher quality in less time.

𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 + 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 = 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲.

What tools or practices have you brought into embedded development from other domains?

By @Greg Burk, cross-posted from LinkedIn

#EmbeddedSystems #FirmwareEngineering #WolffElectronicDesign