How Embedded Programming Is Changing Due to IoT?

Embedded programming is undergoing significant changes due to the emergence and growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). Here are a few ways in which embedded programming is being influenced and transformed by IoT:

Connectivity: IoT devices are designed to connect and communicate with each other and the internet. This requires embedded systems to incorporate wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or cellular networks. Embedded programmers need to develop skills in these communication technologies to enable seamless connectivity between devices.

Data Handling and Analytics: IoT devices generate vast amounts of data. Embedded programmers are now responsible for implementing data handling mechanisms within these devices. They need to incorporate data storage, processing, and analytics capabilities to extract meaningful insights from the collected data. This involves implementing algorithms, data structures, and efficient memory management techniques.

Security: With the increased connectivity of IoT devices, security becomes a critical concern. Embedded programmers need to prioritize security features and implement robust encryption, authentication, and access control mechanisms to safeguard data and devices from unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) Updates: IoT devices often require frequent updates to fix bugs, add new features, or address security vulnerabilities. Embedded programmers are tasked with developing firmware update mechanisms that allow devices to receive and apply updates remotely over the air (OTA) without requiring physical intervention. This requires careful planning, secure protocols, and error handling mechanisms to ensure successful and safe updates.

Interoperability and Standards: IoT involves a wide range of devices from different manufacturers. To ensure interoperability, embedded programmers need to adhere to established industry standards and protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, or OPC UA. This enables devices from different vendors to communicate and work together seamlessly.

Energy Efficiency: Many IoT devices are battery-powered or have limited power resources. Embedded programmers must optimize power consumption in these devices to extend battery life. They need to implement power-saving techniques such as low-power modes, efficient use of sleep cycles, and smart sensor data sampling.

Edge Computing: IoT systems often generate a massive amount of data, which can be challenging to process and transmit to the cloud. Embedded programmers are increasingly implementing edge computing capabilities, where data processing and analytics occur locally on the device or in nearby gateways. This reduces latency, improves responsiveness, and reduces the need for constant data transmission.

JavaScript everywhere" refers to the concept of using JavaScript as a programming language across different platforms and environments, not just limited to web browsers. JavaScript was originally created for client-side scripting in web browsers but has evolved to become a versatile language that can be used for various applications beyond the browser.

Here are some areas where JavaScript is used:

Web Development: JavaScript remains the primary language for client-side scripting in web browsers. It allows developers to enhance the interactivity and functionality of web pages, create dynamic content, and handle user interactions.

Server-Side Development: With the introduction of Node.js, JavaScript can now be used for server-side development. Node.js allows developers to build scalable and high-performance server applications using JavaScript. It enables full-stack JavaScript development, where both client-side and server-side code can be written in the same language.

Mobile App Development: JavaScript frameworks such as React Native and Ionic enable developers to build mobile applications using JavaScript. These frameworks leverage native components and APIs to create cross-platform apps that can run on both iOS and Android devices. This approach allows developers to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms.

Desktop Applications: Frameworks like Electron and NW.js enable developers to build desktop applications using web technologies, including JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. These frameworks package web-based applications into standalone executable files that can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.

IoT (Internet of Things): JavaScript is increasingly being used in IoT development. Platforms like Johnny-Five and Espruino provide JavaScript-based frameworks for interacting with hardware devices, making it easier to program and control IoT devices using JavaScript.

Game Development: JavaScript is also used for developing games, both in the browser and as standalone applications. HTML5 game frameworks like Phaser and Babylon.js provide powerful tools for creating browser-based games, while engines like Unity and Unreal Engine allow JavaScript to be used for game development with native-like performance.

Machine Learning and Data Visualization: JavaScript libraries such as TensorFlow.js and D3.js allow developers to perform machine learning tasks and create interactive data visualizations directly in the browser. These libraries enable JavaScript to be used for data analysis, pattern recognition, and creating engaging visual representations of data.

The versatility of JavaScript, along with the availability of numerous frameworks and libraries, has made it a popular choice for developers across different domains. This trend of "JavaScript everywhere" highlights the flexibility and ubiquity of the language, allowing developers to leverage their skills and knowledge across a wide range of platforms and applications.

After programming language, the next change is coming in form of Embedded Operating System. In traditional embedded systems developers need to put lot of efforts to bring up OS in the target hardware. This include board bring-up, customizing course code, porting an existing application etc. They had choices between bare metal OS (RTOS) and OpenSource Linux.

The growth of IoT is leading to a lot of changes in Embedded OS. Major players are heavily investing in open source based highly customizable and easy to use IoT OS – Amazon Free RTOS, Android Things, Arm Mbed and Mongoose OS are some of the examples. An IoT OS is an operating system that is designed to perform within the boundaries that are particular to IoT devices, along with the restrictions on memory, size, power and processing scope. IoT operating system area category of embedded OS but by interpretation are designed to enable data transfer over the internet.

These OS have pre built in features that are essential for IoT along with easy to customize tools and mechanisms.

Security: End-to-End security mechanisms to ensure data is transferred safely Device protocols: Inbuilt support for a range of protocols to connect with devices and cloud Libraries support: Reusable components to make development faster Firmware Upgrade: Support for OTA in a secure manner to keep the device updated All the above mentioned factors make the development faster and easier, which was not very evident in case of traditional Embedded Systems development. From customizing vanilla OpenSource Linux, the Embedded OS development has gone through sea of changes thanks to IoT.

In summary, IoT is driving significant changes in embedded programming by demanding skills in connectivity, data handling, security, firmware updates, interoperability, energy efficiency, and edge computing. Embedded programmers need to adapt to these new requirements and continue to evolve their skills to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by IoT technologies. The versatility of JavaScript, along with the availability of numerous frameworks and libraries, has made it a popular choice for developers across different domains. This trend of "JavaScript everywhere" highlights the flexibility and ubiquity of the language, allowing developers to leverage their skills and knowledge across a wide range of platforms and applications.