# 87: Make My Own Steel Foundry

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-02-04
- Length: 1h 01m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep87mp3

## Summary

Chip Gracey, co-founder of Parallax, discusses the design and philosophy behind the Propeller microcontroller, a chip featuring eight independent cores (cogs) for deterministic real-time control. He explains the decision to open-source the Propeller One Verilog code to foster community learning and innovation, while detailing the complex, years-long process of designing the Propeller Two using SPICE simulation and custom layout. Gracey contrasts this first-principles approach with modern ARM-based systems, advocating for simplicity, transparency, and the ability to understand hardware at the transistor level.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry#t=6) Introduction and Parallax History
- [4:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry#t=277) Manufacturing Strategy and Offshoring
- [9:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry#t=553) Propeller Architecture and Concurrent Processing
- [14:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry#t=843) Comparison with ARM and Modern Processors
- [28:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry#t=1710) Propeller Two Design and SPICE Simulation
- [34:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry#t=2055) Open Sourcing the Propeller One
- [41:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry#t=2512) The Spin Programming Language
- [49:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry#t=2966) First Principles vs. Modern Complexity

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Parallax (company)
- Propeller (product)
- Basic Stamp (product)
- Apple II (product)
- ARM (company)
- On Semi (company)
- Past Labs (company)
- Arduino (product)
- SPICE (tool)
- Verilog (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Mike Engelhardt - SPICE Simulator Synteresis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Claire (née 'Clifford') Wolf](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-01-08-an-interview-with-claire-nee-clifford-wolf) (The Amp Hour)
- [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)
- [Ep 270: A Cluster of Microcontrollers, a rocket engine from scratch, and a look inside Voyager](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-05-10-ep-270-a-cluster-of-microcontrollers-a-rocket-engine-from-scratch-and-a-look-ins) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Analog Components, First Person Flying and Idea Ownership](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-02-analog-components-first-person-flying-and-idea-ownership) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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