The purpose of this chapter is to provide the designer with some basic
concepts and terminology that will be used later in the book. It covers
not only basic multitasking but also binary numbering systems, data
storage, basic communications protocols, mathematics, conditional
statements, and state machines. These concepts are covered here not
only to refresh the designer’s understanding of their operations but also
to provide sufficient insight so that designers will be able to “roll their
own” functions if needed. While this chapter is not strictly required to
understand the balance of the book, it is recommended.
It is understandable why state machines and multitasking need review,
but why are all the other subjects included? And why would ...