Embedded Systems: Desktop Integration explores designing embedded systems and monitoring and controlling them from desktop systems. Through the step-by-step development of an embedded thermostat, readers learn how to implement three different hardware interfaces: RS-232, USB, and Ethernet. Several different components are used to provide the reader with alternative hardware solutions.

Additionally, three different types of microcontrollers are used to implement the intelligence in the thermostat: the BASIC Stamp, the dsPIC, and the Cypress PSoC. Monitor and control software is developed for Windows, Linux, and the BSD operating Systems. Several cross-platform tools are explored including wxWindows, Borland Delphi and Kylix, and C++BuilderX, and there is even a section on how to make your own printed circuit boards.