LEARN NEOTRELLIS M4 DEEP DIVE - Expanded Project Guides
Generated from:
LEARN_NEOTRELLIS_M4_DEEP_DIVE.mdThis folder contains deep-dive guides for each project in the learning path.
Overview
These guides expand each project into a full learning guide with theory, architecture, implementation phases, testing, and extensions.
Project Index
| # | Project | Difficulty | Time | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Interactive Button-LED Matrix (CircuitPython) | Level 1: Beginner | 1-2 weeks | GPIO, Event Handling, Color Theory |
| 2 | RGB Color Mixer Instrument (CircuitPython) | Level 1: Beginner | 1-2 weeks | Color Theory, State Machines, UI/UX Design |
| 3 | Accelerometer-Controlled Light Show (CircuitPython) | Level 2: Intermediate | 1-2 weeks | Sensors, I2C Protocol, Physics, Signal Processing |
| 4 | USB MIDI Controller (CircuitPython) | Level 2: Intermediate | 1-2 weeks | USB Protocol, MIDI, Music Technology |
| 5 | Precision Timer and Metronome (CircuitPython + Low-Level) | Level 2: Intermediate | 1-2 weeks | Timer Peripherals, Real-Time Systems, Audio Timing |
| 6 | Polyphonic Synthesizer (Arduino + PJRC Audio) | Level 3: Advanced | 1-2 weeks | Digital Audio Synthesis, DSP, Real-Time Systems |
| 7 | 8-Step Drum Machine Sequencer (Arduino) | Level 3: Advanced | 1-2 weeks | Sequencing, Sample Playback, Rhythm Programming |
| 8 | Audio Spectrum Analyzer / FFT Visualizer (Arduino) | Level 3: Advanced | 1-2 weeks | FFT, Signal Processing, Audio Analysis |
| 9 | Sample Player with Live Effects (Arduino) | Level 3: Advanced | 1-2 weeks | Audio Effects, Real-Time DSP, User Interface Design |
| 10 | Capacitive Touch Theremin (Arduino + Hardware Mod) | Level 3: Advanced | 1-2 weeks | Capacitive Sensing, Audio Synthesis, Human Interface |
| 11 | Bare-Metal LED Blinker (Pure C) | Level 4: Expert | 1-2 weeks | ARM Architecture, Linker Scripts, Startup Code, GPIO Registers |
| 12 | Bare-Metal NeoPixel Driver (Pure C) | Level 5: Master | 1-2 weeks | DMA, SERCOM/SPI, Bit-Banging, Real-Time Constraints |
| 13 | Bare-Metal UART Console (Pure C) | Level 4: Expert | 1-2 weeks | UART Protocol, SERCOM, Ring Buffers, Printf Implementation |
| 14 | Bare-Metal DAC Audio Output (Pure C) | Level 5: Master | 1-2 weeks | DAC Peripheral, DMA, Timer-Triggered Transfers, Audio Buffers |
| 15 | Bare-Metal I2C Driver for ADXL343 (Pure C) | Level 4: Expert | 1-2 weeks | I2C Protocol, SERCOM I2C Mode, Sensor Drivers |
| 16 | Complete MIDI DAW Controller (Full Integration) | Level 4: Expert | 1-2 weeks | USB MIDI, Real-Time Systems, Human Interface Design |
| 17 | Real-Time Audio Visualizer with External Display (Hardware Extension) | Level 5: Master | 1-2 weeks | Digital Signal Processing, SPI Displays, DMA, FFT |
| 18 | Bare-Metal USB Mass Storage + Bootloader (Self-Modifying System) | Level 5: Master | 1-2 weeks | USB Protocol, Flash Programming, Bootloaders, File Systems |
| 19 | Real-Time Latency and Jitter Profiler (NVIC + Lock-Free Queue) | Level 4: Expert | 2-3 weeks | Interrupt priorities, deterministic timing, latency metrics |
| 20 | CMSIS-DSP Polyphonic Wavetable Engine (DMA + Double Buffer DAC) | Level 5: Master | 3-4 weeks | Advanced DSP, polyphony, buffer scheduling |
| 21 | TinyUSB Composite MIDI + HID Controller (Custom Descriptor Lab) | Level 5: Master | 2-3 weeks | USB descriptors, endpoint management, composite devices |
| 22 | Memory Cartographer (SRAM Layout, Linker Script, Fragmentation, Wear) | Level 5: Master | 2-3 weeks | Memory architecture, linker control, flash persistence |
| 23 | Ultra-Low-Power Battery MIDI Node (<5mA Idle Target) | Level 5: Master | 2-3 weeks | Sleep modes, current profiling, brownout handling |
| 24 | Hardware Expansion Rig (I2S Codec + SPI DMA Display + Sensor Fusion) | Level 5: Master | 3-4 weeks | Multi-bus scheduling, I2S, DMA SPI, sensor fusion |
| 25 | Production Firmware Platform (State Machines, Logging, Watchdog, Boot Policy) | Level 5: Master | 3-4 weeks | Production reliability, crash handling, update safety |
Prerequisites
- Basic programming and system fundamentals
- Comfort with command line tooling