# 203: Save My Board

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2017-06-08
- Length: 59m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/203-save-my-board

## Summary

Charlie Ladd, a principal electrical engineer with experience in medical, FAA, and consumer products, discusses bridging the gap between hardware and firmware. He details his work on an oil quality sensor for VSI Oil and emphasizes the importance of designing for failure, using redundancy, and providing clear documentation like 'PickIO' spreadsheets and 'Theory of Ops' to help firmware engineers debug boards safely. Ladd also shares insights on the evolution of the industry, the value of mentorship, and how to stay current with new components through trade magazines and development boards.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board#t=6) Introduction and Career Overview
- [4:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board#t=242) Lightning Round and Personal Interests
- [7:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board#t=457) VSI Oil Sensor Project
- [11:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board#t=664) Hardware Practices for Firmware Engineers
- [19:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board#t=1198) Designing for Failure and Safety
- [28:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board#t=1726) Medical vs. Consumer Product Design
- [30:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board#t=1832) Project Management and Mentorship
- [43:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board#t=2599) Learning Resources and Industry Evolution
- [56:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board#t=3393) Closing Thoughts and Bus Story

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises, makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- VSI Oil (company)
- EEWeb.com (other)
- EDN (other)
- ECN (other)
- Newark (other)
- DigiKey (other)
- Linear Tech (company)
- Microchip (company)
- Crossbow (company)
- Flextronics (company)
- Applied Bio Systems (company)
- HP (company)
- Ford Aerospace (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Documentation Is A Waste Of Time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-04-documentation-is-a-waste-of-time) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Kerry Scharfglass](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-06-an-interview-with-kerry-scharfglass) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Toggle Boggle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-03-05-the-toggle-boggle) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Endless Y2K](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-10-23-the-endless-y2k) (The Amp Hour)
- [More Tales from the Bringup Lab](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-04-19-more-tales-from-the-bringup-lab) (Oxide and Friends)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.