Page 25 - ARM Based Microcontroller Projects Using MBED

2.2 PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT TOOLS 11

FIG. 2.2 Hardware development cycle.

to build the hardware on a printed circuit board (PCB). The complete circuit diagram is
designed using an integrated schematic and PCB design software. The size of the final
PCB is determined and the target microcontroller chip and all the other required components
are placed on the PCB board using the PCB design software. The auto-router option is then
used to interconnect all the components as is shown in the schematic. The next stage is the
manufacturing of sample PCB boards which is normally done by sending the necessary
PCB files to a qualified PCB manufacturer. The executable code is uploaded to a target mi-
crocontroller chip and all the components are then mounted and soldered on the PCB board
(this step can also be done by the PCB manufacturers). The prepared hardware is then tested
together with any external devices. If the project is successful the final stage is usually the
design and manufacturing of a suitable container for the project.

2.2 PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT TOOLS

Simple programs consisting of no more than 10 lines of code can easily be developed by
writing the code without any prior preparation. The development of large and complex pro-
grams is easier if an algorithm is first derived and the program is broken down into smaller