MicroTools Articles

Title	Format
"Why Use Linux for Real Time Embedded Systems" by Bob Japenga This white paper discusses how we came to choose Linux as our RTOS of choice. It includes a history of RTOS's we've used as well as 5 case studies where we have used embedded Linux.	PDF
"Guidelines for Creating Robust Embedded Systems: Part 1 - Introduction" by Bob Japenga This white paper introduces a series outlining our lessons learned in creating 24/7 Robust and Reliable Embedded Systems.	PDF/HTML
"Guidelines for Creating Robust Embedded Systems: Part 2 - Preventing Memory Leaks" by Bob Japenga This white paper contains our lessons learned in preventing memory leaks in Embedded Systems.	PDF/HTML
"Guidelines for Creating Robust Embedded Systems: Part 3 - Out of Bounds Memory References" by Bob Japenga This white paper contains our lessons learned in preventing out of bounds memory references in Embedded Systems.	PDF/HTML
"Guidelines for Creating Robust Embedded Systems: Part 4 - Referencing I/O" by Bob Japenga This white paper contains our lessons learned in referencing I/O in Embedded Systems.	PDF/HTML
"Guidelines for Creating Robust Embedded Systems: Part 5 - Handling Out of Memory Conditions" by Bob Japenga This white paper contains our lessons learned in handling out of memory conditions in Embedded Systems.	PDF/HTML
"Guidelines for Creating Robust Embedded Systems: Part 6 - Handling Out of Disk Conditions" by Bob Japenga This white paper contains our lessons learned in handling out of disk conditions in Embedded Systems.	PDF/HTML
"Guidelines for Creating Robust Embedded Systems: Part 7 - Designing Robust Watchdog Timers" by Bob Japenga This white paper contains our lessons learned in designing robust watchdog timers in Embedded Systems.	PDF/HTML
"How to Write a Version Description Document" by Bob Japenga This document defines the specification we use to create a version description document for every release of software	PDF/HTML
"How to Select a Real-Time Embedded Systems Consultant" by Bob Japenga This article lists the things you should look for when choosing a consultant for your real-time embedded systems project.	HTML
"How to Write a Software Process Procedures and Policy Manual" by Bob Japenga This white paper tells you the steps needed to put in place a Procedures and Policy Manual for your organization. In the process, it will help you improve your organization's software process capability maturity level. These levels were developed by the Software Engineering Institute out of Carnegie-Mellon. There are 5 levels (with level 1 describing the chaos where most of us live and level 5 which is where nobody lives). In this article you will see how MicroTools could help you improve your organization's software process.	PDF
"Principles of Software Driven User Interface Design for Business and Industrial Applications" by Bob Japenga This white paper is a summary of our lessons learned from 30 years of designing software user interfaces.	PDF
"How to Grow Your Software Engineering Department" by Bob Japenga A case study in the use of consultants to augment your fluctuating resource needs	HTML
"How to Write a Software Requirements Specification" by Bob Japenga An introduction to writing a software requirements document	HTML
"How to Write a Software Test Plan" by Bob Japenga This article tells how MicroTools handles software testing in a way that might be applicable to you	HTML
"How to Write a Version Control Document (VDD)" by Bob Japenga This white paper contains the documentation that we recommend goes with every software release	PDF/HTML
"If it's not tested, it doesn't work!" by Bob Japenga An article discussing the need for a power cycling intermittent tester such as Poc-it.	PDF
"Adequate Testing Means More Than Checking Against the Specification" by Scott B. Rosenthal An article by a satisfied Poc-it customer	HTML