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Embedded C Interview Questions

The document provides a comprehensive set of Embedded C interview questions and answers, categorized into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. It covers fundamental concepts such as microcontrollers, memory types, and interrupt handling, as well as practical coding examples. Additionally, it addresses more complex topics like RTOS, critical sections, and DMA usage in embedded systems.

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2 views4 pages

Embedded C Interview Questions

The document provides a comprehensive set of Embedded C interview questions and answers, categorized into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. It covers fundamental concepts such as microcontrollers, memory types, and interrupt handling, as well as practical coding examples. Additionally, it addresses more complex topics like RTOS, critical sections, and DMA usage in embedded systems.

Uploaded by

sarveshpathak
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Embedded C Interview Questions and Answers

Basic Level
- What is Embedded C?

Embedded C is an extension of the C language used to program embedded systems such as

microcontrollers.

- How is Embedded C different from regular C?

Embedded C interacts directly with hardware using registers and bit-level operations.

- What are microcontrollers and microprocessors?

Microcontrollers are single-chip devices with CPU, RAM, ROM, and I/O. Microprocessors only

have a CPU and require external peripherals.

- What are the basic components of an embedded system?

Microcontroller, memory, input/output interfaces, communication interfaces, and software.

- Explain the role of volatile in Embedded C.

It tells the compiler not to optimize a variable because it can be changed by hardware or ISR.

- What is the significance of const in embedded programming?

Prevents accidental changes to values that should remain constant (e.g., config data or ROM

values).

- What are registers and how are they accessed in C?

Registers are memory-mapped hardware locations accessed using pointers in Embedded C.

- What is memory-mapped I/O?

Technique where I/O devices are mapped into the address space and accessed like normal

memory.

- What are the types of memory in a microcontroller?

Flash (program), SRAM (data), EEPROM (non-volatile data storage).

- What is ISR (Interrupt Service Routine)?

A special function executed automatically in response to an interrupt.


Intermediate Level
- Difference between polling and interrupt-driven I/O.

Polling checks device status in a loop. Interrupt-driven allows CPU to perform tasks and react to

events.

- How do you write an ISR in Embedded C?

Using compiler-specific syntax (e.g., `void __interrupt() ISR(void)` or with vector table setup).

- What is the function of a watchdog timer?

To reset the system in case of software malfunction or freeze.

- Explain the use of bitwise operators in Embedded C.

Used for setting, clearing, and toggling specific bits in registers or variables.

- How do you optimize code for memory in embedded systems?

Use smaller data types, avoid dynamic allocation, and optimize logic/loops.

- What is debouncing in embedded systems?

Removing noise from mechanical button presses using delay or software filtering.

- How do you manage power consumption in Embedded C applications?

Use sleep modes, optimize loops, shut down unused peripherals.

- How is delay implemented in microcontroller programming?

Using timer peripherals or software delay loops (less accurate).

- What is the difference between blocking and non-blocking code?

Blocking waits for operation to complete; non-blocking continues execution while waiting.

- What are the common communication protocols used in embedded systems?

SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, USB, etc.

Advanced Level
- What are critical sections and how do you protect them?

Code that must not be interrupted. Protected using disable/enable interrupts or mutex in RTOS.

- How do you handle race conditions in Embedded C?


Use atomic operations, critical sections, or synchronization primitives.

- What is the use of memory barriers or compiler fences?

To ensure memory operations occur in the correct order across CPU/compiler.

- Explain the role of linker scripts in embedded systems.

Define memory layout, segment locations (e.g., Flash, RAM) for program sections.

- What is stack overflow and how do you prevent it?

Occurs when stack exceeds its limit. Prevent using large global variables and monitoring usage.

- Describe how RTOS is used with Embedded C.

RTOS provides task management, inter-task communication, scheduling, and resource

management.

- What are the different scheduling algorithms in RTOS?

Round-robin, priority-based, rate-monotonic, and earliest-deadline-first.

- How does interrupt nesting work and how is it managed?

Higher priority interrupts can pre-empt current ISR. Managed by priority levels and stack use.

- What are startup files and their purpose?

Startup code initializes memory and sets up vector table before main() runs.

- How do you use DMA in embedded systems?

Configure DMA controller to transfer data between peripherals and memory without CPU

intervention.

Practical Questions
- Write a program to blink an LED using a delay loop.

Set GPIO as output, then toggle it in a loop with delay.

- Write code to toggle a GPIO pin.

PORT ^= (1 << PIN); // Toggle bit

- Implement a basic UART send/receive function in C.

void uart_send(char c) { while (!(UCSRA & (1<<UDRE))); UDR = c; }


- Simulate a software PWM signal using timers.

Use loop/timer to set pin high/low based on duty cycle.

- Write an ISR for a button press interrupt.

ISR(INT0_vect) { flag = 1; }

- Demonstrate how to set/clear a specific bit in a register.

Set: REG |= (1<<BIT);

Clear: REG &= ~(1<<BIT);

- Implement a simple state machine in C.

Use switch-case on state variable updated by events.

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