Embedded System
Embedded system combines circuit hardware and micro-controller (MCU) program software.
Building embedded systems is one of my hobbies. Most of my projects are based on 8-bit MCUs (such as AVR and the legacy MCS-51), a variety of digital and analog actuators and sensors, interconnected by digital buses.
My projects contains multiple phases. Starts from selecting MCU, sensor and actuator modle, studying manual; to circuit design, programming and breadboard test; and PCB design and fabrication, soldering, commissioning.
View categoryComputer System
Computer is not only a tool for working or gamming, but also a tool to solve daily problems.
I write computer softwares to solve different problems, including for work and for myself. My developments include web server and client applications, PC softwares and GPU programs.
View categoryAbout me
I'm Captdam. I give myself this nickname when I was in middle school. This nickname can be divided into two parts: Capt stands for captain, because I wanted to have my boat at that time; DAM is my name.
You can also call me Xiao Ming, my friends always call me using this nickname.
What I do
I finished my Bachelor’s degree (B.ASc) and Master's degree (M.ASc) in Electrical Enginnering in Canada, nd I am now working.
When I was a child, I wanted buy RC toy, but parents didn't agree. Therefore, I decided to build my own. I couldn't understant the circuit board inside toy; so, I began to read books and build simple circuits on breadboards. Then, I realized I need to systematically study to fully understant the circuit, I decided to enrolled in electrical and computer engineering in university.
When in school, other than attending class and building circuit in lab, I worked as teaching assistance in Digital Logic Design and Microprocessor courses.
After graduated, I worked in automation field. Including control panel designing, PLC and HMI programming, mechanical designing, engineering drawing drafting, field commissioning.
I developed embedded system (making toy) as hobby. Including circuit designing, PCB fabrication, MCU programming. I have desktop CNC, laser cutter, 3D printer in home to make the materials.
I do computer programming (PC and server) as well, incluing this website.
Dev softwares I use
For circuit and PCB design, I use KiCad.
For mechanical design, I had used FreeCAD and SolidWorks; now, I am mainly using Fusion360.
I use Visio to create drawings for automation control.
I also write my own software to post-process drawings.
Programming languages I use
For embedded system, I use C and assembly dominantly. I had developed systems based on MSC-51, 6800 and AVR. I enjoyed to use low-level languages to extract computation power from these low-power 8-bit MCUs.
I use Ladder for PLCs.
I use PHP, SQL, JavaScript, CSS and HTML for web dev.
For PC and server dev, I use C a lot. I had use C++, Java, C#, Python, GLSL and others previously in school and in work.
What is this website for
I decided to make myself a blog website when I was in high school. When I was in bachelor, I decided to build my own CMS.
I use this website to post my works toys. To record my study; to share my idea; and to show off my achievement.
I will pay more focus on technical fundamental, because I love to study the base underlying technology rather than the abstract concepts at the higher level. I hope my website can host something distinct.
What I do other than dev
I cosplay in anime cons.
I ride my bike in country.
Maybe I should post them on this website someday.