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I’m highly experienced engineer and manager of software engineers, with a strong academic…
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Allan Jones shared thisA short article on adding a custom application to an embedded Linux system using buildroot. The examples create a simple application that runs as a service and flashes an LED. Although rather trivial, the examples show the basic steps that would be needed to set up a real embedded Linux application. No AI involved - the mistakes are mine!Adding custom applications to Buildroot - a simple introductionAdding custom applications to Buildroot - a simple introduction
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Allan Jones shared thisA very quick introduction to cmake - more of a taster than a tutorial, with an example of fetching external libraries and building a simple *.deb installer.
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Allan Jones shared thisJust a quick and very simple introduction to building Linux for a Raspberry Pi 5 using Buildroot. This is aimed at someone who's never used Yocto or Buildroot to create an operating system for an embedded Linux device.A very quick introduction to embedded Linux with BuildrootA very quick introduction to embedded Linux with Buildroot
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Allan Jones shared thisGood no-nonsense guide to anyone considering using contract embedded engineers.Allan Jones shared this"We're thinking about hiring an Embedded Software Contractor..." "But how much would it cost?" We've had quite a lot of what we would describe as 'loose enquiries' this month from businesses across the UK along these lines. So we've put together a survey on market rates: https://lnkd.in/e3bzaJKr Please reach out to our Contract experts for more information: Philip Tate Alex Tattum Sophie Smith Jen Jackson Alternatively, if you have a permanent vacancy you need assistance with finding the right candidate for please reach out to Tom Fear Lucy Handford Jak JenkinsContract Embedded Software Engineer Rates (2026 Guide)Contract Embedded Software Engineer Rates (2026 Guide)
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Allan Jones shared thisThis is so true, particularly in smaller organisations. A typical day for software engineer in robotics; reworking a PCB, understanding a new sensor spec, debugging a deadlock in FreeRTOS, hiring a boat for a sea trial (and doing a risk assessment for same), adding some libs to the Yocto build for the embedded Linux boards, figuring out why the Javascript GUI only works on some browsers, setting up a cellular modem for the sea trial, fixing the ROS startup scripts, going to Halfords to get an inverter because you've just learnt the boat for the sea trial does have 240 V on board. Finally getting some time to write that C++ code that was today's top priority.Allan Jones shared thisRobotics engineer = unicorn When you're building your first robot, you'll quickly realize that you need a number of different skills: * System engineer: you'll need to customize your kernel or add/modify drivers. * Software engineer: of course, you'll need to implement your own business logic for your robot. * Electrical engineer: you'll need to create your PCB or assemble various components (motors, sensors,...). * Mechanical engineer: you'll need to think about the physics (stability, weight,...) and build your robot. As for me, I'm an expert in software engineering, but I had to learn a lot of new things related to other aspects.
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Allan Jones posted thisNeed an embedded software expert to accelerate your project? Need a project completing but your development team is flat out on other work? With over 30 years of industrial experience, my expertise includes; ● C++ ● Linux ● RTOS / bare metal ● IoT ● Robotics (ROS) ● Hardware integration and debugging. ● Technical writing From initial concept to deployment, I help businesses overcome complex challenges and deliver innovative products. Preferential rates for new clients and small startups. Services can be provided on-site or remotely (I have dedicated office space, test equipment and a small workshop). I offer preferential rates for new clients and small startups, with flexible hourly or fixed-price project options. #EmbeddedSoftwareEngineer #Firmware #TechJobs #FreelanceEngineer #SoftwareConsulting
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Allan Jones shared thisJust finished the course “Introduction to Embedded Systems with Rust” by Senyo Simpson! A nice introduction to using Rust on micro controllers. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/e8VNP9Fc #embeddedsystems #rust.
Allan Jones replied to a comment
4mo
Jedidiah Paterson My knowledge may be updated, but; Buildroot isn't intended to be used with a package manager as such, since it isn't intended to build a general-purpose 'desktop' operating system. However if you want to install your own packages then you can use 'opkg'. This will allow you to install your own 'deb' packages locally (ie. transfer the package to the target machine somehow then run opkg ./myPackage.deb). This isn't really a substitute for a full update mechanism such as mender.
I haven't seen anything for using rpms - can you tell me the configuration item?
Allan Jones commented on a post
4mo
Poor advice. Never try to optimize without measuring.
And it's seldom worth trying to out-smart the compiler. Putting your examples into separate functions yields;
test1():
mov eax, 5
ret
test2():
pcmpeqd xmm4, xmm4
mov edx, 4
pxor xmm1, xmm1
xor eax, eax
movdqa xmm0, XMMWORD PTR .LC0[rip]
movd xmm3, edx
psrld xmm4, 31
pshufd xmm3, xmm3, 0
So you've sacrificed readability for worse code size and performance. Ok this is a toy example, but if you are going to post and example at least let it be one that supports your thesis.
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Allan Jones liked thisConnor and I are creating a community event for Embedded & Electronics Engineers in Scotland. The goals are simple: 1. Network with other E&E professionals 2. Share best practice processes & tools for design and manufacture 3. Showcase new technologies 4. Keep updated on the electronics supply chain and market conditions The critical success factor - enoyable learning and collaboration in a relaxed environment. We will be posting more details soon, but pencil in the evening of 1st April in Glasgow if this is for you.Allan Jones liked this🚀 Community Hardware Event Scotland – We Want Your Input! I’m excited to share that Derek Liddle and I will be co‑hosting a community hardware event on April 1st - more details coming very soon! 🧙♂️ The aim of this event is to bring engineers, founders, and hardware innovators together in a community built on shared learning, practical insight, and real collaboration. Our focus is simple: to create a space where people can openly exchange ideas, learn from one another’s experiences, and grow - both technically and professionally. Before we lock in the agenda, I’d love to hear from my network: 👉 What topics, trends, or challenges would you find most valuable at a hardware‑focused community event? A few ideas already on the table: 🔹 How AI is shaping embedded systems & hardware development 🔹 Building and structuring processes in a startup or scaling hardware organisation 🔹 Best practices for designing reliable prototypes & moving toward production 🔹 Real‑world lessons from integrating firmware, electronics, and cloud systems Whether you're an engineer, founder, product person, or just passionate about Embedded Systems & Hardware your input will help shape the sessions, speakers, and discussions. 👇 What would you love to see covered? Drop your thoughts in the comments or message directly!
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Allan Jones liked thisAllan Jones liked thisHi All, I'm seeking a home for an Environmental Chamber & would like to utilise this to benefit the hardware / product development community in Scotland. Hence I'm reaching out to the eco-system in Scotland to demonstrate collaboration really does work. If your a technology company and could locate an environmental chamber and make that available for our community to use then I'd be open to sharing for the benefit of our hardware start-ups. Please share and help me provide an often expensive, outsourced resource for the hardware community to utilise.
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