This guide helps readers acquire fundamental microcontroller-associated programming skills using both the C programming language and assembly language. Explains the functional hardware components of a microcontroller and helps readers gain the skills needed to interface various external devices with microcontrollers. Demonstrates the basics of system level programming through the advanced topics of real-time operating systems to distributed processing. Utilizes extensive tutorial information and numerous examples. Introduces structured systems design concepts early in the book. Reviews the C programming language, structured programming languages, and the 68HC12 microprocessor. Includes a detailed discussion of RTOS issues and multiprocessor systems. A useful reference for practicing engineers.