The document provides an introduction to microcontrollers (MCUs), explaining their functionality and importance in various applications, including household devices, smart home technology, wearables, healthcare, and industrial uses. It outlines the programming process for MCUs, emphasizing the need for knowledge in C/C++, electronics, and a passion for creation. Additionally, it discusses a specific project related to wake-word detection, detailing the steps from data collection to model deployment on an MCU.

1. Programming
Microncontrollers -
What, Why, How, TinyML
Robert John
GDE, ML & GCP
Lagos

2. Intro to MCUs

3. What is a Microcontroller
● A computer
● Does only one thing
● Inputs from sensors or MCU
● Controls MCUs, motors,
actuators, LEDs, etc
● Use case: control home
heating/cooling
Image courtesy of Sparkfun

4. Why Program Microcontrollers
● Billions of MCU!
● More than desktops,
browsers, mobile phones
● Somebody has to do it
Photo by Ivan Shilov on Unsplash
Photo by Alan J. Hendry on Unsplash

5. Example Applications
● Household devices
○ Fridge
○ Washing machine
○ Microwave
● Smarthome
○ Door locks
○ Cameras
○ Speakers
○ Door bells
○ Fire TV
○ Chromecast
● Wearables
○ Watches
○ Earphones
○ Rings
○ Glasses
● Healthcare
○ Hand-held
○ Smart wearables
● Industrial
○ Factories
○ Farms
○ Weather stations

6. How to Program a Microcontroller
1. Know C/C++ (or MicroPython, etc)
2. Understand Electronic Circuits
3. Read Documentation/Specifications
4. Have a love of making things.
a. Micro:bit
b. Arduino
c. Raspberry Pi
d. Sparkfun
e. Sony
Image courtesy of Raspberry Pi

7. Example Board
Pinout Diagram

9. Wakeword Detection
(Workshop)

10. Pre-Workshop Survey
https://bit.ly/3IhuiJ2

12. Electronics
Machine Learning
Programming

13. Programming Wake-word Detection
● Collect Data
● Train an NLP model
● Shrink the model to fit MCU
● Write embedded program
● Transfer model into program
● Implement a pipeline for
streaming sound from
microphone to model
● Compile
● Flash MCU

14. Learn More
● Arm Website link
● Arm Developers link
● Sparkfun Edge link
● TinyML Foundation link
● TinyML Course link
● Embedded Systems Essentials with Arm link
● My blog link
● Sparkfun Board Setup link
●

15. Post-Workshop Survey
https://bit.ly/3GaxiF2

16. Thanks