Embedded systems without a Master(9 resources)

learning embedded systems without a master is a problem that a lot of people ask about. Because so many people are wondering if they could work in this industries without having a Master.

is that possible?
it is possible to learn embedded systems on your own and get a job?
how effort and time will cost me to learn embedded systems?
is it worth learning this domain?

In this article, we’re going to respond to these questions and give you the full guidance to prevent mistakes that frequently beginners are making.

Learn embedded systems without a master

Having a bachelor is way more than enough to start in an embedded system. So you don’t need to get a master’s to start learning embedded systems. One thing that is needed is interest and dedication to put into this learning process.

learning embedded systems doesn’t even need any degree as much as you could deal with electronics and programming stuff.

The majority of students go into the engineering system after getting their bachelor’s. In addition, if you have or do not have a bachelor it doesn’t matter at all.

The embedded system domain is based on two principal aspects programming and electronics. To clarify, you will need to have strong background and experience making electronics circuits and programming them. This is the goal of not getting a master’s.

Netwroking is important

The whole process is based on having strong networking relationships with friends, colleges, participating in local competitions, and so on. All that allows you to build an awareness of the level market and what he should learn to improve yourself.

Having a strong relationship helps a lot to learn and find an opportunity job at the same time.

Once you get a job and work for 2 or 3 years things became easy and your experience will be judged.

Learn embedded system in your own

It is possible to learn embedded systems on your own and most students are doing it. The embedded system domain is an individual work and requires being in some sort of concentration.

Embedded system engineers work individually by dividing projects tasks. So for people who love to work alone and stay in their private zone, embedded systems are a good choice.

we’re going to give full guidance to learn the embedded systems from scratch to reach professional levels.

we will divide the process of learning into major steps. So, if you are an absolute beginner and interested to build your life around embedded systems you could follow this guidance.

  1. learn electronics
  2. learn c programming
  3. learn Arduino
  4. learn AVR
  5. learn python learn raspberry Pi
  6. learn data structure
  7. learn FPGA
  8. learn RTOS
  9. learn LINUX

Learn electronics

The first thing to step into the embedded system domain is to learn electronics. That being said being able to make electronics circuits and deal with electronics components. This is the first step that any beginner should start from.

learning electronics is learning and discovering the electronics components. In other words, being able to build hardware projects to serve many different needs in the market.

So in electronics, students must understand and go through the following process:

  • learn continuous and alternating current
  • discover and know the whole different electronics components
  • reading and building electronics schematics
  • building electronics circuits
  • learn how to use a multimeter to check circuits
  • testing projects

There is much information scattered on the web. But is not organized in a way that could be affordable and useful for beginners. So we will recommend pursuing this course which covers everything for beginners about electronics.

Learn c programming

C language is the essential and primordial tool that embedded systems engineers use. Almost all embedded devices are using C language in their operating systems. Thus learning C is an obligation.

learning C in an embedded system is not making a “hello world” project and some superficial stuff. Embedded engineers learners must have a deep knowledge of this language.

embedded system engineers know well and focus on the interesting following points in C language.

  • loops
  • functions
  • statemnts
  • pointer
  • addresses
  • data structures etc

learning the C language is not complicated and doesn’t require money investment such as an electronics course. You could watch and follow this tutorial it covers everything you need to know about the c language.

The recommendation is to start making projects not just following tutorials. So, practice is the key.

Learn arduino

After getting enough information about electronics and programming, the third step is Arduino. If you studied well the 2 previous options electronics and programming Arduino will be relatively easy to absorb.

This will be the first time to deal and interact with the microcontroller interface. So Arduino is the easiest start.

What is good about Arduino is it is the famous educative platform to learn the basics of embedded systems. So, Arduino has a hugely supportive community to count on, in case of having some troubles or issues.

Arduino is cheap and doesn’t require any financial investment to learn. So we suggest following this youtube free course to learn from.

it way more than enough and cover the principles to understand.

Learn AVR

AVR is one of the first microcontroller examples used for programming. In other words, is an example of a microcontrollers type. For instance, Arduino is based on AVR, that being said using a microcontroller of this family.

Arduino is not like a raspberry pi. Arduino is using an Atmega microcontroller included in their boards.

It is not important to know these details if you are still a beginner.

So in AVR, you will learn how to deal with

  • counters
  • clocks
  • interupts
  • I2c
  • UART
  • SPI
  • USB
  • Ethernet etc

To learn AVR we recommend following this free course on youtube it covers the essential part of the AVR microcontroller.

If you made a lot of projects in Arduino, you will need to repeat them with AVR. So you will notice how it was easy to build a project with Arduino compared to AVR.

Because Arduino is an educative environment, it is prepared and for easy use, not for people who want to build professional projects such as AVR or other platforms.

Learn python and raspberry pi

Python is the second language used after c and c++, it is famous for robotics and AI programming. embedded system and robotics have many common points and intersections. So learning python is also important.

Python is a language that allows you to do high-level projects like computer vision and artificial intelligence and so many applications.

you could follow this youtube tutorial and learn python from scratch. After learning C python will be a lot easier to understand.

The second thing is doing some projects in raspberry PI using python language.

Learn data structure

If you finished the course of c programming that we mentioned above, you will know data structure.

Anyway, the data structure is understanding how to manage memory and write code in an effective way that computers or microcontrollers could access.

To clarify or simplify more is writing codes that computers will understand fast and execute effectively.

In this course, you will find all detailed information about this subject in 8 hours of engaging work.

Learn FPGA

learning FPGA is a domain that meets the need of a fast specific application. So we will let you this video to explain to you more about FPGA

you could get access to this free course on youtube to begin in the FPGA area. is helpful but not enough so you will need to invest in paid courses.

Learn RTOS

you could follow his videos tutorials they are useful and give you an idea about a topic. But still not enough to understand deeply RTOS application. So looking for paid courses is important.

Learn linux

learning Linux is also important as a famous and first popular operating system in the world. it is important for advanced embedded system projects and applications. You could watch this video explaining about.

This course is a complete guide for people who want to learn Linux from zero to hero. So there is no need to invest money to learn Linux.

learning these full 9 pillar things will allow you to have a wide vision and land to a preferable embedded systems industries.

It is hard to learn embedded system?

It is not hard if you have an interest and dedication to this domain. it requires passion and persistence. The key is to have good resources as we mentioned above and have a willingness to continue till the finish line.

the thing that an embedded student should avoid is skipping steps, it is not good and could affect badly of his learning process.

To clarify, students have to ensure their understanding before moving to the next topics.

For instance, rushing and not having good and basics in electronics will affect badly at the programming learning process.

Mastering embedded system how much effort and time?

There is no exact time to be mastering the embedded systems without a master or with. But we will do the approximation depending on the 9 principal subjects that we noticed above about embedded systems.

That being said we’re going to calculate enough time for each subject to learn to have an intermediate level, not a professional one because that requires years of practice engagements.

So in the following list were going to know how much time and effort to learn the embedded systems.

This approximation is based on 2 hours a day work

Emebded systems subjects

Study time

Electronics 

6 mounths 

 C programming

6 mounths

Learn Aruino

3 mounths

Learn AVR

3 mounths 

Learn python and raspberry PI

3 mounths

Leran data structure 

6 mounths

Learn FPGA

6 mounths

Learn Rtos

3 mounths 

Learn linux

3 mounths

It doesn’t mean that an embedded system student should learn all these topics before getting a job. But we just wanted to give an insight into what is taking as an average to discover embedded system fields.

Is impossible to become professional in 3 mounts in LINUX, FPGA, or RTOS but these 3 months will allow you to have a good understanding of the industry. So you could choose a suitable specialization.

Being professional requires years of dedication and specialization.

Having a master in embedded systems creates a difference?

Absolutely no, what creates a difference is experience and self-improvement in the field. The more practice and getting into different experiences the more value is acquired.

fewer engineers who work in embedded systems have a master. Having a bachelor’s is enough to go into this industry, and even a bachelor’s is not what is going to make you succeed in the embedded system field.

Innovation and diligence are what create a difference between people.

Conclusion

Embedded systems without a master or with, is not what employers are focusing on. As long as you are good and able to solve problems as more you do better and find new opportunities.

So the 9 subjects of embedded systems that we noticed above must students be aware of. Also, have to understand that is not too late to begin in any domain.

yassin.ajanif

Yassin ajanif is a physics graduate and electromechanical engineer width more than 5 years in the field. My goal and my team are to share our experience to help you succeed in your career as a stem major. we talk about all tips, problems, and struggle STEM students face in their career and how to overcome them.