# 278: Bricks' Batteries Last Forever

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2019-02-15
- Length: 1h 06m
- Episode: 278
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-02-15-278-bricks-batteries-last-forever
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/278-bricks-batteries-last-forever

## Summary

Matt Liberty, founder of Jet Perch, discusses the challenges of measuring ultra-low power consumption in embedded systems and introduces his new tool, Joulescope, designed to solve dynamic range issues. He explains how software strategies like clock gating and GPIO state management, alongside hardware choices like shunt resistors and isolation, are critical for extending battery life. The conversation covers the technical pitfalls of traditional multimeters and the importance of accurate measurement in achieving nanoamp-level sleep states.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-02-15-278-bricks-batteries-last-forever#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [3:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-02-15-278-bricks-batteries-last-forever#t=219) Defining Low Power and Battery Life Requirements
- [7:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-02-15-278-bricks-batteries-last-forever#t=438) Power Budgeting and Design Phase Strategies
- [13:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-02-15-278-bricks-batteries-last-forever#t=810) GPIO States and Passive Power Optimization
- [17:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-02-15-278-bricks-batteries-last-forever#t=1075) Measuring Current: Multimeters, Shunts, and Burden Voltage
- [32:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-02-15-278-bricks-batteries-last-forever#t=1961) The Dynamic Range Problem and Joulescope Solution
- [42:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-02-15-278-bricks-batteries-last-forever#t=2563) Joulescope Development, Isolation, and FPGA Advice

## Topics

- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Jet Perch (company)
- Joulescope (product)
- EEVblog uCurrent (tool)
- ChipWhisperer (tool)
- Lattice iCE40 (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Measuring Current with Matt Liberty](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-01-25-measuring-current-with-matt-liberty) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Joulescope Upgrade with Matt Liberty](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-10-31-the-joulescope-upgrade-with-matt-liberty) (The Amp Hour)
- [Sipping Coulombs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-04-23-sipping-coulombs) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Nerd Calendar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-06-03-the-nerd-calendar) (The Amp Hour)
- [#018: The Hidden Complexity of Sleep Tech: Power, Comfort, and 8 Hours of Reliability](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-11-26-018-the-hidden-complexity-of-sleep-tech-power-comfort-and-8-hours-of-reliability) (Coredump Sessions)

## 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/2019-02-15-278-bricks-batteries-last-forever. 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.