Book excerpt: This practical book on designing real-time embedded systems using 8-and 16-bit microcontrollers covers both assembly and C programming and real-time kernels. Using a large number of specific examples, it focuses on the concepts, processes, conventions, and techniques used in design and debugging. Chapter topics include programming basics; simple assembly code construction; CPU12 programming model; basic assembly programming techniques; assembly program design and structure; assembly applications; real-time I/O and multitasking; microcontroller I/O resources; modular and C code construction; creating and accessing data in C; real-time multitasking in C; and using the MICROC/OS-II preemptive kernel. For anyone who wants to design small- to medium-sized embedded systems.