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Firmware modularization is the ticket to low cost and (relatively) painless product development.
One of the goals for embedded systems developers is to create firmware in a programming environment that supports and enhances low bill-of-materials cost, software reliability, and fast development time. The best way to achieve such a programming environment is to use a unified firmware architecture that acts as the skeleton during product development and supports "firmware modularization."
A design architecture that incorporates the right mix of firmware modularization, testability, and compatibility can then be applied to any firmware development project to maximize code reusability, speed up firmware debugging, and increase firmware portability.
Firmware Modularization?
Modular programming breaks down program functions into firmware modules, each of which performs a single function and contains all the source code and variables needed to complete that function (Figure 1 shows an example).
Modularity helps to coordinate the work of many people on a team, manage interdependency between various parts of a project, and enable designers to assemble complex systems in a reliable way. Specifically, it helps designer achieve and manage complexity. As applications grow in size and functionality, modularity is necessary to separate them into individual pieces (whether as "components," "modules," or "plugins"). Each such separated piece then becomes one element of the modular architecture. As such, each piece can be isolated and accessed using a well-defined interface. In addition, modular programming improves firmware readability while simplifying firmware debugging, testing, and maintenance.
Modular programming is a key component of realizing code reusability. All the source code and variables needed to accomplish the specific function are integrated into a single independent source file and can be easily reused in other projects. Modular programming also speeds firmware development. Over time, developers can create a library of firmware modules, with every module's function and interface clearly defined. To create a new system, the firmware engineer only has to build up the firmware system with these modules in a manner similar to how engineers build up the hardware system with individual components.
Firmware Modules Principles
The basic concept of modular programming in firmware development is to create firmware modules. Conceptually, modules represent separation of concerns (SoC). In computer science, SoC is the process of breaking a computer program into...