Learn Embedded Systems¶
A calm, checkable path from "what is a microcontroller?" to job-ready embedded engineer. Free resources first. Hands-on checkpoints in every module. Nothing you don't need.
Who this is for
Anyone who wants to really understand it
High schoolers with a soldering iron, CS students who never touched a register, and working engineers switching into firmware. There is one path with three entry points.
How it works
Learn · Do · Check
Each module gives you a two-minute overview, the two to five best resources, a hands-on checkpoint on real hardware, and a few questions to test yourself. Tick boxes as you go. Progress is saved in your browser.
Our stance on AI
Learn it without AI first
Understand each concept well enough to explain it to a rubber duck. Then use AI to move faster. Module 18 shows how professionals use it without losing the skill.
Where do I start? → · See the gear list →
The map¶
Five phases. Do them in order the first time through; the phase pages explain what you can skip.
| Phase | What you get out of it | Modules |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Foundations | You can read a schematic, write real C, and blink an LED by poking a register on a Raspberry Pi Pico 2. | 1 · 2 · 3 |
| 2 · Core | You understand what a microcontroller is doing under the hood, and you can drive every common peripheral and bus from a datasheet. | 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 |
| 3 · Professional | You move to an STM32, structure firmware like a team would, use an RTOS with intent, and debug with real tools. | 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 |
| 4 · Specializations | Pick what your job or project needs: low power, surviving ESD and EMI testing, safety and security, Linux, wireless, signals and motors. | 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 |
| 5 · Beyond | Use AI well, build a capstone that proves you can ship, and find your people. | 18 · 19 · 20 |
Your progress¶
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Checkbox state is stored in this browser only. Use the tools on the How to use this guide page to copy it to another device or reset it.
About this guide¶
The first version was written by Erin Jense in 2020 as a personal reading list and, to the author's surprise, picked up a following. This 2026 edition keeps the checkbox spirit, drops what has gone stale, adds what the industry now expects, and organizes everything so you always know where you are and what comes next.
Every link was checked in September 2026. If one breaks, open an issue or fix it yourself. See Contributing.
Text and structure are licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Linked resources belong to their authors.