7-Day Beginner Learning Plan –Learn Embedded C Programming Course with BICARD

This plan is designed for complete beginners who want to get hands-on with Embedded C and microcontrollers.

Day 1 – Introduction to Embedded Systems & Embedded C

• Understand what an embedded system is and where Embedded C fits in.
• Learn about the difference between C and Embedded C.
• Read a microcontroller datasheet overview (choose Arduino Uno, PIC16F877A, or STM32).
• Mini Task: Write your first Hello World program in Embedded C (LED blink simulation using an online IDE).

Day 2 – Setting Up Your Development Environment

• Install a suitable IDE:
  • Arduino IDE for Arduino boards.
  • Keil uVision for 8051 or ARM Cortex.
  • MPLAB X IDE for PIC microcontrollers.
• Learn about compilers and how source code is converted into machine code.
• Mini Task: Connect your microcontroller board to your PC and verify communication.

Day 3 – Basics of C Language Refresher

• Variables, data types, and constants.
• Loops (for, while) and conditional statements (if, switch).
• Functions and how they work in Embedded C.
• Mini Task: Write a program to toggle an LED ON/OFF using a delay loop.

Day 4 – Microcontroller I/O Basics

• Understanding GPIO pins (input and output modes).
• Controlling LEDs and reading button presses.
• Mini Task: Write a program that turns on an LED when a button is pressed.

Example:

if (P1_0 == 0) {  // If button pressed
    P2 = 0xFF;    // Turn on LEDs
} else {
    P2 = 0x00;    // Turn off LEDs
}

Day 5 – Working with Timers & Delays

• Learn what timers are and why they’re used in embedded systems.
• Generate delays without blocking other tasks.
• Mini Task: Write a program to blink an LED every second using a timer interrupt.

Day 6 – Introduction to Sensors & Peripheral Interfaces

• Learn about Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC) and reading sensor values.
• Basics of I²C and SPI communication for connecting peripherals.
• Mini Task: Read temperature from a sensor (LM35/DHT11) and display it via serial monitor.

Day 7 – Final Mini Project

• Combine your knowledge from the past week.
• Example Project: Temperature-Controlled Fan
  • Read temperature from a sensor.
  • If temperature exceeds threshold, turn fan ON.
  • Else, turn fan OFF.
• Test, debug, and document your project.

Tips for Success

• Keep experimenting with small programs daily.
• Use online simulation tools like Proteus or Tinkercad if hardware is not available.
• Always refer to the microcontroller datasheet when using new peripherals.
• Break problems into smaller parts and test each one.