Link Time Optimization (LTO) transforms embedded firmware from separate compilation into whole-program reasoning. With Keil and armclang, it removes dead code, devirtualizes C++, reduces veneers and shortens branch distances. The result is smaller flash, fewer pipeline flushes, lower ISR latency and improved WCET predictability — measurable directly inside the map file.

Working on MyDLX, a clean-room implementation of a simplified DLX CPU, taught me lessons beyond exams. By treating it not just as homework but as a real design lab, I gained insight into hardware/software bridges, testing as a mindset, and the value of building systems from scratch. Extra projects like this don’t just sharpen skills — they open doors, fuel interviews, and make you stand out as an engineer.