ESP32 Virtual Machine Lets You Change Programs On The Fly

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Often, reprogramming a microcontroller involves placing it in reset, flashing the code, and letting it fire back up. It usually involves shutting the chip down entirely. However, [bor0] has built a virtual machine that runs on the ESP32, allowing for dynamic program updates to happen.

The code is inspired by the CHIP-8, a relatively ancient interpreter that had some gaming applications. [bor0] had already created a VM simulating the CHIP-8, and repurposed it here, taking out the gaming-related drawing instructions and replacing them with those that control IO pins. Registers have also been changed to 16 bits for added flexibility and headroom.

Itā€™s probably not something with immediate ground-breaking applications for most people, but itā€™s a different way of working with and programming the ESP32, and thatā€™s pretty neat.

The ESP32 is a powerful chip, too, as we all know ā€“ and it makes a great 8-bit emulator to boot. Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on what would make a killer application for the ESP32 VM!

[Thanks to satancete for the tip!]



from Blog ā€“ Hackaday https://ift.tt/ZOl8LmF

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