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HUI HU

The first question for the freeRTOS on ESP32 lessons is why we need to study freeRTOS. The most important reasons are probably as follows:

(1) First, it is totally free and open source. You no need to pay any fee for using it in your any projects. And you can get all the source code from it's official website;

(2) Second, it is a "RTOS". "RTOS" means "real time operating system". It can processes data and events that have critically defined time constraints.

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The first question for the freeRTOS on ESP32 lessons is why we need to study freeRTOS. The most important reasons are probably as follows:

(1) First, it is totally free and open source. You no need to pay any fee for using it in your any projects. And you can get all the source code from it's official website;

(2) Second, it is a "RTOS". "RTOS" means "real time operating system". It can processes data and events that have critically defined time constraints.

(3) Third, it is very tiny and simple. The kernel resource files are only three c files. It is very fit for microcontroller which has limited ram or rom.

(4) Forth, it is well supported. It has been porting on lots of platform, even including xilinx FPGA.

The second question is why we study freeRTOS based on ESP32?

(1) The first reason is the original SDK software of ESP32 is using the freeRTOS as its operation system. We no need to port it again. We will have a very stable platform to study all kinds of software features of the freeRTOS.

(2) ESP32 is a very wonderful chip. It has internal flash and sram. It has the wifi and bluetooth function on the same chip. The wifi and bluetooth is a critical function for the "internet things" application. It also has other powerful peripheral interfaces, such as

(3) It also has a very small package size and very low price compared with other similar function chips. It is very easy to DIY products by hobbyist.

NOTES:

(1) All the course examples have been tested on idf sdk ver4.4.1 software. For other versions, the code might be a little different.

(2) If you are using one regular ESP32 board, not one ESP32C3 board, you might need to change FreeRTOS running on two kernels to running on one kernel by setting "Run FreeRTOS only on first core" in menuconfig.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Freertos task create, delete, input parameter, priority, suspend and resume
  • Freertos queue delivery data, queue multiple in single out mode, queue set, queue mailbox
  • Freertos software timer
  • Freertos binary semaphore and count semaphore
  • Freertos mutex and recursive mutex
  • Freertos event group wait and event group sync
  • Freertos notify sync and notify value
  • Freertos watch dog

Syllabus

Introduction
Setup ESP32 command line compile environment and learn the esp32 system startup flow
Setup ESP32 command line compile environment
ESP32 system startup flow
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on FreeRTOS, a popular real-time operating system, which is widely used in embedded systems and IoT devices
Uses the ESP32, a low-cost and versatile microcontroller, making it accessible for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts interested in IoT projects
Covers FreeRTOS on ESP32, which is relevant for developing applications in the Internet of Things (IoT) domain
Requires setting up a command-line compile environment, which may pose a challenge for beginners without prior experience
Uses idf sdk ver4.4.1, so learners should be aware that code examples might differ slightly in other versions

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Reviews summary

Practical freertos fundamentals on esp32

According to learners, this course offers a practical, hands-on approach to learning FreeRTOS fundamentals specifically tailored for the ESP32 platform using the ESP-IDF SDK. Students appreciate the course's focus on demonstrating core FreeRTOS concepts like tasks, queues, and semaphores through clear code examples and helpful demonstrations. While the content provides a solid foundation, some mention that environment setup can present challenges, and keeping code examples perfectly synchronized with the latest SDK versions can be a minor hurdle, though the core RTOS principles taught remain valuable for embedded systems development.
Focuses on FreeRTOS with ESP-IDF SDK.
"This course is specifically about FreeRTOS on the ESP32 using the ESP-IDF, which is exactly what I needed."
"Great for anyone working with ESP32 and wanting to understand its underlying OS."
"The examples are well integrated with the ESP32 hardware features."
"Using the ESP-IDF makes the course immediately applicable to my projects."
Explains essential FreeRTOS primitives.
"Really helped solidify my understanding of tasks, queues, and semaphores."
"The course provides a solid foundation in using the basic FreeRTOS objects."
"Detailed explanations of mutexes, event groups, and timers were very useful."
"Good coverage of the fundamental building blocks of a FreeRTOS application."
Strong focus on practical code demos.
"The hands-on coding and projects are the strongest part of the course for me, really helps solidify understanding."
"Liked how the instructor showed actual code and ran it on the ESP32 for each FreeRTOS feature."
"I learned best by following along with the demos provided in the lessons."
"Practical examples make abstract RTOS concepts much easier to grasp."
Code examples may need updates.
"Some minor changes were needed in the code examples to work with the latest ESP-IDF version."
"Had to adapt some functions slightly as the SDK evolved."
"Code is mostly correct, but keep an eye on potential API changes in newer IDF releases."
"It would be helpful if the code examples were periodically updated."
Environment setup can be difficult.
"Setting up the ESP-IDF environment was the hardest part, not directly covered in enough detail for a beginner."
"Ran into issues with the initial toolchain setup, needed external resources."
"Getting the project to compile correctly took some troubleshooting."
"I struggled a bit with the version differences in the SDK setup."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in FreeRTOS Lessons On ESP32 SDK with these activities:
Review C Programming Fundamentals
Solidify your understanding of C programming, as FreeRTOS and the ESP32 SDK are heavily based on it. Refreshing your knowledge will make understanding the code examples and underlying concepts much easier.
Show steps
  • Review data types, pointers, and memory management in C.
  • Practice writing simple C programs that interact with hardware peripherals.
  • Familiarize yourself with common C libraries used in embedded systems.
Review: ESP32 Technical Reference Manual
Gain a deeper understanding of the ESP32 hardware by studying the technical reference manual. This will help you optimize your FreeRTOS applications for performance and efficiency.
Show steps
  • Focus on the sections related to the peripherals used in the course examples.
  • Study the memory map to understand how FreeRTOS interacts with the ESP32's memory.
  • Refer to the manual when troubleshooting hardware-related issues.
Review: Mastering the FreeRTOS Real-Time Kernel
Deepen your understanding of FreeRTOS concepts by studying a dedicated book on the subject. This will provide a more thorough and structured learning experience than relying solely on the course materials.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters relevant to the topics covered in the course.
  • Work through the examples provided in the book.
  • Experiment with different FreeRTOS configurations and features.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice FreeRTOS API Usage
Improve your fluency with the FreeRTOS API by completing a series of practice exercises. This will help you become more comfortable using FreeRTOS in your own projects.
Show steps
  • Write code to create and delete tasks with different priorities.
  • Implement inter-task communication using queues and semaphores.
  • Use software timers to trigger events at specific intervals.
Implement a Simple Task Scheduler
Solidify your understanding of task scheduling by implementing a simplified version of a task scheduler. This hands-on project will force you to think critically about the underlying mechanisms of FreeRTOS.
Show steps
  • Design a data structure to represent tasks and their states.
  • Implement functions to create, delete, suspend, and resume tasks.
  • Create a simple scheduler that selects the next task to run based on priority.
  • Test your scheduler with a few simple tasks.
Create a FreeRTOS Tutorial
Reinforce your learning by creating a tutorial on a specific FreeRTOS topic. Teaching others is a great way to solidify your own understanding.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific FreeRTOS topic, such as task creation or semaphores.
  • Research the topic thoroughly and gather relevant information.
  • Write a clear and concise tutorial that explains the topic in detail.
  • Include code examples and diagrams to illustrate the concepts.
  • Share your tutorial with others and solicit feedback.
Contribute to a FreeRTOS Project
Enhance your skills and contribute to the FreeRTOS community by participating in an open-source project. This will provide valuable real-world experience and help you learn from other developers.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source FreeRTOS project on GitHub or GitLab.
  • Review the project's documentation and code.
  • Identify a bug or feature that you can contribute to.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.
  • Participate in code reviews and discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete FreeRTOS Lessons On ESP32 SDK will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Embedded Systems Engineer
An Embedded Systems Engineer designs, develops, and tests software and hardware for embedded systems. This role frequently involves working with real time operating systems, like freeRTOS, which is the focus of this course. Specifically, the course covers task management and synchronization features of freeRTOS, which are essential for creating reliable and efficient embedded software. The course emphasis on the ESP32 microcontroller, a common platform in embedded development, enhances the practical skills relevant to this position. Understanding FreeRTOS features such as task creation, queues, semaphores, and mutexes, can help one become an Embedded Systems Engineer.
Firmware Engineer
A Firmware Engineer develops low level software that controls hardware, often involving real time operating systems. This course, focusing on freeRTOS on the ESP32, provides a strong foundation for firmware development. The course delves into task management, inter task communication using queues, and synchronization primitives like semaphores and mutexes, all of which are essential for this career field. Furthermore, the ESP32 platform is popular for embedded projects. A Firmware Engineer should take this course to help build expertise in real world systems.
IoT Engineer
An Internet of Things Engineer develops connected devices, and they frequently use microcontrollers and real time operating systems like the freeRTOS. This course specifically covers the ESP32, a microcontroller with built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which are critical for IoT applications. The course's focus on freeRTOS task management, queues, timers, semaphores, and mutexes can help an IoT Engineer develop robust and reliable device software. This course may be particularly relevant due to its practical focus on the ESP32 platform.
Robotics Software Engineer
A Robotics Software Engineer develops software to control robots, which often involves complex real time systems. This course, centered on the freeRTOS real time operating system on the ESP32, helps to build foundational skills for this role. This course covers important concepts like task creation, synchronization, and inter task communication using queues and semaphores, all of which are crucial for robotics systems. This course's focus on a specific microcontroller helps make its concepts more applicable to this field. A Robotics Software Engineer can benefit from this course's practical approach to real time systems.
Hardware Engineer
A Hardware Engineer designs and tests physical computer components, and often collaborates closely with software engineers who develop firmware. This course, providing detailed knowledge of the ESP32 and the freeRTOS, can help make a Hardware Engineer better at those interactions. The course covers multiple key components, such as task creation, queues, and synchronization primitives, which are crucial for understanding the low level software they collaborate with. A Hardware Engineer may benefit from understanding the use of the freeRTOS and the basics covered in this course.
Automation Engineer
An Automation Engineer designs and implements systems to control industrial processes or machinery. These systems often use microcontrollers and real time operating systems. This course, focusing on freeRTOS on the ESP32, may be useful to an Automation Engineer. The course introduces concepts such as task management and synchronized communications, which are crucial in automation control systems as they help to ensure precise timing and coordination of automated tasks. Learning how to use software timers may also be helpful in this role. This course may provide useful foundational knowledge.
Systems Engineer
A Systems Engineer works to integrate components into a cohesive system, often involving software and hardware interactions. This course's focus on freeRTOS on ESP32 can help one build a better systems perspective. This course teaches about tasks, queues, and other methods of synchronization, which are key elements necessary for building more sophisticated systems. This course may provide insight into the kind of interactions that occur at lower levels of a system. A Systems Engineer may benefit from this course as it builds knowledge at the lower levels of computing systems.
Computer Engineer
A Computer Engineer designs and develops both computer hardware and software, and they often work with real-time systems. This course, focusing on freeRTOS on the ESP32, helps build helpful knowledge for this career field. The course provides an introduction to crucial concepts such as task creation, synchronization, and inter task communication using queues and semaphores, all of which are essential for the development of real time applications. The course's emphasis on practical application may be helpful to Computer Engineers. A Computer Engineer may find this course helpful.
Control Systems Engineer
A Control Systems Engineer designs and implements systems that control complex processes using feedback loops and software. Real time operating systems are often used in such systems. This course, focusing on freeRTOS on the ESP32, may provide a useful perspective for a Control Systems Engineer. The course covers important topics such as task management, timers, and synchronization methods, all of which are crucial in real time control loops. A Control Systems Engineer may find it useful to study the course's concepts, even if their primary focus is not on microcontrollers.
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist may explore new technologies or improve existing ones, often involving software or hardware, or both. This course, focusing on freeRTOS on the ESP32, can be a valuable for a Research Scientist who focuses on embedded systems. The course introduces concepts such as task creation, inter task communication, and real time operating systems which are often the basis for complex research prototypes. This course may be helpful for Research Scientists seeking to design and build their own experimental hardware. A Research Scientist focusing on this area of research may find this course useful.
Technical Project Manager
A Technical Project Manager oversees technology based projects, including those involving software and embedded systems development. This course may be helpful for a Technical Project Manager who needs to better understand the software involved in these kinds of projects. The course covers task management, queues, and synchronization, which may provide a higher level perspective on the low level systems they manage. While the course is technically specific, it may offer a helpful overview for the Technical Project Manager. A Technical Project Manager who manages IoT or embedded systems projects may find this course useful.
Quality Assurance Engineer
A Quality Assurance Engineer tests software and hardware to ensure product reliability, often working closely with development teams. This course, focused on the inner workings of the freeRTOS on the ESP32, may help a Quality Assurance Engineer better understand how the system functions. The course covers task management, inter task communication, and real time concepts, which might enable more effective testing. The Quality Assurance Engineer may benefit from a deeper understanding of the software, and this course may prove to be useful.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates documentation for technical products, and having a foundational knowledge of the products being documented can be helpful. This course, focusing on freeRTOS on the ESP32, may provide a good foundational view. The course covers task management, inter task communication, and synchronization concepts, which can assist in better documentation of related software. A Technical Writer who specializes in embedded systems writing may find this course helpful.
Electrical Engineer
An Electrical Engineer designs and tests electronic equipment and systems. This course, which focuses on the interface between software and hardware, may be useful for an Electrical Engineer. The course introduces the freeRTOS real time operating system on the ESP32, and covers topics such as task management and synchronization, which could help them understand the software side of their projects. An Electrical Engineer may find this course helpful in gaining knowledge that can improve collaboration with the software engineers that they work with.
IT Support Specialist
An IT Support Specialist provides technical assistance for computer hardware and software, and they may need to understand various operating systems. This course, while focused on a real time operating system on a microcontroller, may give a different perspective on operating systems which can be helpful. The course may introduce basic concepts about tasks, queues, and timers, which may lead to a broader understanding of the technologies they support. An IT Support Specialist may find this course helpful in broadening their understanding of operating systems at a more fundamental level.

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in FreeRTOS Lessons On ESP32 SDK.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the FreeRTOS kernel. It covers the core concepts and features of FreeRTOS in detail, including task management, inter-task communication, and synchronization. It valuable resource for understanding the underlying mechanisms of FreeRTOS and how to effectively use it in embedded systems projects. This book is commonly used as a reference by industry professionals.

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