The embedded software developer job is one of the highest-paid positions among engineering jobs. Overcoming embedded software interview questions and getting the job is somehow easy for experienced ones. But even expert-level developers should know about the form of interview questions. In this article, we provide frequently asked questions of embedded software developer interviews and their answers.
There are a limited number of embedded software interview questions, and fortunately, their answers are short. Thus, you needn’t spend much time reviewing them. The questions are all about your experience in software development and implementing different technologies and tools. Explaining microcontrollers and their peripherals and how you adapt to project circumstances are ordinary in the interview. Also, there may be some questions about problem-solving and management skills.
Steps to overcome embedded software interview questions
You shouldn’t have any concerns if you have tried different development tools and components. In the interview circumstances, the examiner just wants to see your skills level and experience with various components and devices.
It’s a great idea to arrange a list of embedded software interview questions and review them according to your previous knowledge. So that you will be sure of having enough information about different questions and it prevents getting confused.
Here are a few of the frequently asked questions:
- Explain embedded software based on your knowledge.
- What is a microcontroller?
- Why is embedded software essential for us?
- What are mainly used components in embedded engineering?
- Explain different communication ways in embedded systems.
- What is the purpose of using the watchdog timer exactly?
We provide the answers for these questions in the following sections, and you can read more embedded software interview questions.
Note that the answers would be as short as enough, and there is no need to give lengthy and unnecessary explanations.
Explain an embedded system?
An embedded system is a part of a computer system that acts independently and helps the whole system achieve its ultimate goal. It would have peripheral devices like electrical machines, sensors, and input devices.
Which components are essential parts that we use in embedded development?
One of the most important embedded software interview questions is about the devices we use. Some several devices and components are inseparable and basic for embedded systems:
- Different types of microcontrollers and microprocessors
- Input components like sensors and keys
- Output devices like electro motors, relays, and displays
- The software was written to implement different capabilities of the microcontrollers
- Peripheral ICs that adds to the capabilities of microcontrollers and expand them
- Real-time operating systems like FreeRTOS and Linux specific distributions
Why is embedded software development essential for us?
Logical gates have been replaced with embedded devices, where we needed dozens of gates to perform specific actions. Now, just with a small microcontroller, we can do bulk tasks and run thousands of lines of code simply.
What is a microcontroller exactly?
A microcontroller is an essential and first priority device for embedded development, and it performs tasks and runs pre-defined lines of code. It has an integrated processor unit, memory, I/O parts, and peripherals that we can write codes for performing different tasks.
Explain different communication ways in embedded systems
There are specific methods of communication in systems that are considered standard.
- I2C: is for communication between peripheral devices and ICs.
- CAN: is for a combined network of microcontrollers that operates as one unit.
- USB: is for connecting peripherals like mouse, keyboard and so on.
What is the purpose of using the watchdog timer in microcontrollers exactly?
A watchdog timer is a software or electronic timer that controls the running of codes. If something went wrong, it generates an automatic system reset or executes specific codes.
What is the infinite loop in embedded software development, and why do we use it?
Asking about the infinite loop is expected for embedded software interview questions, and you can answer like this:
Infinite loop in microcontrollers and software development is for performing one or more lines of code continuously. Suppose you have to count a value every time a specific key is pressed. The infinite loop runs commands until the loop condition is verified.
What are the essential sensors in an embedded system?
Nowadays, there are thousands of sensor devices out there. Among them, IR sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and light sensors are commonly used by developers.
Also, humidity, proximity, photoelectric and current sensors are essentials that we use in different projects.
Explain some of the common errors in embedded development?
Errors are classified as software and hardware errors. Software errors are those involved with software bugs and inappropriate use of commands in our code. Also, hardware errors are about memory corruption, signal handling, data line problems, and sensor data reading.
How many real-time operating systems do we implement in embedded development?
Real-time systems are our great approach in the current situation in which we can run multiple tasks and lines of code simultaneously. At present, we have RTOS and different distributions of Linux for use in various systems. The benefit of a real-time OS is the power to perform tasks rapidly and its flexibility.
What is the difference between a microcontroller and a microprocessor?
A microcontroller has a processor, memory unit, and peripherals integrally, and it has been designed as a complete controller for small applications. But, a microprocessor has a strong processor, which connects to external peripherals and memory units.
Is it required to connect a clock source to a microcontroller?
The clock source is a signal source that determines the running of code in the CPU. We can’t expect to perform well for running code in CPU without any clock source. There are two clock sources defined for devices. Depending on the circumstances, we can make use of internal or external clock sources.
Which programming languages are there for embedded development?
We can use several programming languages for programming. C and C++ are the most valuable languages, but python, Assembly, Verilog, and Matlab are also standard for developing and programming electronic microcontrollers.
It depends on the situation that accordingly, we should decide the type of programming language to choose. Also, the types of microcontrollers and the embedded system are essential for selecting different languages for development.
What does an embedded software engineer do?
The embedded software interview questions are directly related to what an engineer does with different devices for development. An embedded engineer’s job is to implement different devices and microcontrollers for devising electronic processors programmed to perform specific tasks.
For example, an engineer could work with different sensors and data lines to simply read data from sensors. Ultimately, received data should be processed, and as a result, related decisions for output devices will be made.
How much does an embedded software engineer make?
The amount of salary for embedded engineers depends on the expert level of the candidate and is negotiable in the interview. Developers could start with low salaries to add to their skills. The start point for embedded software salary is around 80 to 90 thousand USD in the USA.
Meanwhile, an expert-level developer could make up to 120 USD per year, and this is directly related to skills and amount of work experience. Embedded software development is a broad field that you can add to your skills over time and expect high salaries.
Conclusion
Embedded software interview questions are crucial for getting this job, but there is no concern since the questions and answers are clear. You don’t need to try hard to overcome interview questions, and there is just a list of specified questions. Software development is a field of engineering in which you will be able to get your desired job if you have had practical work experience before. The common embedded software interview questions are about microcontrollers, software development, error handling, and peripheral devices.
Frequently asked questions
How many embedded software interview questions should you review?
- There aren’t many questions about embedded systems that appear in the interviews. You only need to read a limited number of questions and know their answers.
What are the most discussed interview questions on embedded systems?
- Typically, you see topics about software development, microcontrollers, peripheral ICs and sensors, I/O ports, and errors of embedded systems.
How can we overcome embedded software interview questions?
- The most important thing is to provide short, concise, and comprehensive answers.
Is a microcontroller like 8085 an embedded system by itself?
- A microcontroller is not a system, but it is just a part of a system. A microcontroller is a small and programmable device that can run codes and give proper outputs for electrical motors or other devices.
How much time do the embedded software interview questions take?
- It depends on the number of questions, and typically, the interview section could take 30 minutes to 1 hour long.
Is there any question about soft skills in the interview?
- You better get prepared for different questions, and there may be some questions about soft skills like problem-solving or management skills. But, no problem with soft skills in the embedded software interview questions because the questions are based on your resume and previous work experience.
