# 66: As Simple as Possible

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2014-09-03
- Length: 1h 17m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-09-03-66-as-simple-as-possible
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep66mp3

## Summary

Jack Gassett, founder of Gadget Factory and creator of the open-source Papilio FPGA development boards, explains how to make FPGAs as accessible as the Arduino platform. He discusses the challenge of shifting from a software mindset to hardware description, recommending digital logic textbooks and the use of soft processors like the ZPUino to handle control logic. Gassett details his new 'Design Lab' tool, which uses schematic-based entry to allow users to drag-and-drop cores and write Arduino-style code without needing to master VHDL from scratch.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-09-03-66-as-simple-as-possible#t=6) Introduction and Background
- [2:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-09-03-66-as-simple-as-possible#t=131) Making FPGAs Accessible like Arduino
- [11:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-09-03-66-as-simple-as-possible#t=670) VHDL vs. Verilog and Mental Models
- [19:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-09-03-66-as-simple-as-possible#t=1144) Soft Processors: AVR8 and ZPUino
- [33:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-09-03-66-as-simple-as-possible#t=2007) Design Lab and Schematic Entry
- [49:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-09-03-66-as-simple-as-possible#t=2975) Learning Resources and Debugging
- [1:10:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-09-03-66-as-simple-as-possible#t=4247) Open Source and Future of FPGAs

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Papilio (product)
- Gadget Factory (company)
- Arduino (product)
- ZPUino (product)
- Design Lab (tool)
- Xilinx ISE (tool)
- Open Bench Logic Sniffer (product)
- Dangerous Prototypes (company)
- Mike Fields (other)
- Parallax (company)
- Propeller One (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Dave Vandenbout - Xceptional XESS Xenagogue](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-01-22-an-interview-with-dave-vandenbout-xceptional-xess-xenagogue) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Luke Valenty](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-04-an-interview-with-luke-valenty) (The Amp Hour)
- [Arduino Plug and Make Kit, FPGA mixing console on 1990s OS/2, and much more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-07-26-arduino-plug-and-make-kit-fpga-mixing-console-on-1990s-os-2-and-much-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Ep002: Curious Gadgets and the FPGA Brain Trust](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-01-15-ep002-curious-gadgets-and-the-fpga-brain-trust) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [044 - Scots Army Knife](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2021-01-03-044-scots-army-knife) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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