Static memory allocation patterns in Embedded C - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Static Memory Allocation Patterns

📖 Scenario: You are working on a small embedded system where memory is limited. You need to allocate memory for sensor readings and configuration settings using static memory allocation. This means the memory size and location are fixed at compile time, which helps the system run efficiently without dynamic memory overhead.

🎯 Goal: Build a simple embedded C program that uses static memory allocation to store sensor readings and configuration values. You will declare fixed-size arrays and variables, then access and print their values.

📋 What You'll Learn

Declare a static array called sensor_readings of 5 integers with exact values: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500

Declare a static integer variable called config_threshold and set it to 250

Use a for loop with iterator i to iterate over sensor_readings

Print each sensor reading and whether it is above or below the config_threshold

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Embedded systems often have limited memory and cannot use dynamic memory allocation safely. Static memory allocation ensures predictable memory usage and faster execution.

💼 Career

Understanding static memory allocation is essential for embedded software developers working on microcontrollers, IoT devices, and real-time systems.

1

Declare static sensor readings array

Declare a static integer array called sensor_readings with exactly 5 elements: 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500.

Embedded C

# Declare the static array sensor_readings with 5 integers
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the static keyword before the array declaration and initialize it with the given values inside curly braces.

2

Declare static configuration threshold

Declare a static integer variable called config_threshold and set it to 250.

Embedded C

static int sensor_readings[5] = {100, 200, 300, 400, 500};
// Declare the static integer config_threshold and set it to 250
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Use static int config_threshold = 250; to declare and initialize the variable.

3

Loop through sensor readings

Use a for loop with iterator i to iterate over sensor_readings from index 0 to 4.

Embedded C

static int sensor_readings[5] = {100, 200, 300, 400, 500};
static int config_threshold = 250;

// Use a for loop with i to iterate over sensor_readings
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Write a for loop starting with int i = 0 and running while i < 5, incrementing i each time.

4

Print sensor readings with threshold check

Inside the for loop, print each sensor reading using printf in the format: "Reading i: value - Above threshold" if the reading is greater than config_threshold, otherwise print "Reading i: value - Below threshold". Replace i and value with the current index and sensor reading.

Embedded C

static int sensor_readings[5] = {100, 200, 300, 400, 500};
static int config_threshold = 250;

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    // Print reading and check threshold
    // Your code here
}

Need a hint?

Use printf with format specifiers %d for integers. Use an if statement to compare each reading with config_threshold.