This repository contains curated roadmaps for aspiring engineers in three fields:
- Embedded System Engineer
- Firmware Engineer
- SoC (System-on-Chip) Engineer
Each roadmap includes essential skills and recommended resources.
Essential Skills
- C/C++ programming
- Microcontroller fundamentals (ARM, AVR, PIC, etc.)
- Digital and analog electronics
- Serial communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, CAN)
- RTOS concepts (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, etc.)
- Debugging tools (JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers)
- Schematic and PCB basics
Resources
- Embedded Systems - GeeksforGeeks
- The Definitive Guide to ARM Cortex-M Microcontrollers
- Learn PlatformIO for Embedded Development
- FreeRTOS Documentation
- Microchip Developer Help
Essential Skills
- Embedded C/C++ programming
- Low-level hardware interaction
- Bootloader development
- Firmware update mechanisms (OTA, USB)
- Memory management (Flash, EEPROM)
- Device drivers (GPIO, timers, ADC/DAC)
- Version control (Git)
- Unit and integration testing
Resources
- Firmware Development Guide - Digi-Key
- Modern Embedded Systems Programming
- Git Documentation
- Writing Testable Firmware
- STM32CubeIDE Tutorials
Essential Skills
- Digital design fundamentals (logic gates, FSMs)
- Hardware description languages (Verilog/VHDL/SystemVerilog)
- SoC architecture (CPU, memory, bus interfaces, peripherals)
- RTL design and simulation
- FPGA prototyping
- Synthesis and timing analysis
- Embedded Linux basics
- Hardware/software co-design
Resources
- Digital Design and Computer Architecture
- ASIC World Tutorials
- FPGA4Student Resources
- Linux for Embedded and SoC
- IEEE Xplore - SoC Design
This file lists important subtopics to study within each engineering discipline. Use these as a checklist or syllabus as you progress on your journey.
Subtopics to Learn
- Microcontroller architectures (ARM Cortex, PIC, AVR)
- Memory types (RAM, ROM, Flash)
- Interrupts and event-driven programming
- Timers and counters
- ADC/DAC conversion
- Power management (low power design, sleep modes)
- Sensors and actuators interfacing
- Communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, USB)
- Embedded C/C++ best practices
- RTOS fundamentals (tasks, scheduling, inter-task communication)
- PCB design basics
- Schematic reading and creation
- Debugging: JTAG, SWD, logic analyzer usage
Subtopics to Learn
- Bootloader development and architecture
- Device initialization and configuration
- Register-level programming
- Memory mapping and management
- Writing interrupt service routines (ISRs)
- Firmware update strategies (OTA, USB, serial)
- Error handling and logging
- Peripheral driver development (GPIO, UART, SPI, I2C, ADC)
- Testing and validation (unit/integration tests)
- Secure coding practices for firmware
- Version control workflow (branching, merging, releases)
- Continuous Integration for firmware
- Documentation and code commenting standards
Subtopics to Learn
- Digital logic design (combinatorial, sequential)
- RTL coding (Verilog/VHDL/SystemVerilog)
- SoC architectural components (CPU, DMA, memory controller, buses)
- On-chip communication protocols (AXI, AHB, APB, Wishbone)
- Synthesis and timing constraints
- FPGA prototyping flow (synthesis, implementation, bitstream generation)
- Hardware/software co-simulation
- Verification methodologies (UVM, testbenches)
- Embedded Linux integration on SoC
- Low-power design techniques
- DFT (Design for Testability)
- Physical design basics (floorplanning, placement, routing)
- EDA tools overview (Cadence, Synopsys, Xilinx Vivado)
Feel free to suggest improvements or add more resources by opening an issue or pull request!