Designing Embedded Hardware

Colophon

Our look is the result of reader comments, our own experimentation, and feedback from distribution channels. Distinctive covers complement our distinctive approach to technical topics, breathing personality and life into potentially dry subjects.

The animal on the cover of Designing Embedded Hardware is a porcelain crab. These tiny invertebrates are common in tide pools along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. They are an orangy brown color, and are only 5 millimeters long. Porcelain crabs have six pairs of legs, with one tiny pair tucked in across the base of the tail. Although they can swim, sharply pointed spines on the ends of their walking legs make it easier for them to cling to the hard surfaces of submerged rocks. Hair on their legs collects mud from the ocean floor and helps camouflage the crab from predators. Additional protection is provided by mussel beds, sponges, and algae. Once concealed in these preferred habitats, the porcelain crab sweeps its feathery arms through the water, capturing plankton and other tiny plants and animals. When threatened by a predator, these crabs can detach a leg or claw to distract an attacker. The tricky crab scurries away, and its lost appendage eventually grows back.

Philip Dangler was the production editor for Designing Embedded Hardware. Norma Emory was the copyeditor. Argosy provided production services and wrote the index. Sheryl Avruch and Jane Ellin provided quality control.

Emma Colby designed the cover of this book, based ...