Printer firmware development

  • Thread starter Thread starter hari
  • Start date Start date
H

hari

Hi all,
we are on plan to write firmware for POS printer, We are
completely new to this enivironment and we have no idea on it. Seeking
help from you all.Could you please tellus some ideas, how to start
with it.

Some question comes to mind are

1.Should any specific OS should be used for firmware development?
2.what should be the language to be used for firmware development.

Basically I need to know abut the things needed to develop a firmware
for printer.


Regards,
Hari
 
Hi!
we are on plan to write firmware for POS printer
Click to expand...
Could you please tell us some ideas, how to start
with it.
Click to expand...

This will not be a simple task. The firmware in a printer has to do
many things--starting with taking a collection of connected electronic
components and making them do something useful. Once you've got that,
you need to devise a communications protocol and develop a command set
for your printer. You may very well end up writing your own operating
system...something small and lightweight that provides just the
services you need.

Something like a POS printer usually uses an inexpensive and low-power
microcontroller with limited memory. Small, efficient code is the
primary concern. Getting the code right is also important--you may
elect to use a reprogrammable ROM, but many product owners will never
realize that it is possible to update the firmware in your devices.
Expect to do a lot of testing and prototyping.

Off the shelf operating systems do exist in many forms, but nearly all
of them are going to be rather "heavy" for something as simple as a
POS printer.

If you still plan to use a pre-packaged embedded OS, you should look
at the information and development provided by various vendors. Your
experience also has to be considered. Take a look at all these factors
and make your decision from there.

William
 
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