Firmware & Boot Process
Firmware is the software that controls the embedded hardware. After reset, the MCU follows its architecture-specific startup mechanism, initializes the execution environment and eventually enters application code. On a Cortex-M device, the vector table provides the initial stack pointer and reset handler address. The reset handler then performs startup work before calling the application entry point.
CORE IDEA
Reset → vector table / reset handler
ENGINEERING VIEW
Initialize runtime environment
WHAT TO CHECK
Initialize clocks and low-level hardware
REMEMBER
Application initializes required peripherals
Engineer’s checklist
- Reset → vector table / reset handler
- Initialize runtime environment
- Initialize clocks and low-level hardware
- Enter application code
- Application initializes required peripherals
// Level 0 practical notes
// Next iteration: register diagrams + full STM32 examples.