# 162: I Am a Boomerang Enthusiast (Repeat)

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2019-03-01
- Length: 1h 21m
- Episode: 162
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-01-162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat

## Summary

Alan Yates, a hardware engineer at Valve responsible for the Vive tracking system, explains the Lighthouse optical tracking technology, contrasting it with camera-based systems like Oculus. He details the engineering challenges of latency, GPU performance, and vestibular mismatch, and describes how the system uses spinning mirrors, photodiodes, and Kalman filters to achieve sub-millimeter precision. The conversation covers the transition from 3D-printed prototypes to mass production, the choice of ST and NXP microcontrollers, and Valve's philosophy of making hardware hackable for the developer community.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-01-162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat#t=6) Introduction: Alan Yates and Valve's Vive VR System
- [7:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-01-162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat#t=454) VR System Overview: Tracking, Controllers, and User Experience
- [11:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-01-162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat#t=666) Engineering Challenges: Latency, GPU Power, and Motion Sickness
- [17:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-01-162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat#t=1056) Tracking Technologies: IMU Drift vs. Lighthouse Optical Tracking
- [24:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-01-162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat#t=1441) Lighthouse Mechanics: Spinning Mirrors, Photodiodes, and Calibration
- [50:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-01-162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat#t=3048) Sensor Fusion: IMU, Optical Data, and Kalman Filters
- [56:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-01-162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat#t=3372) Hardware Implementation: Microcontrollers, USB, and Firmware
- [1:06:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-03-01-162-i-am-a-boomerang-enthusiast-repeat#t=4009) Developer Ecosystem: Hackability, Reverse Engineering, and Future Tools

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Valve (company)
- HTC Vive (product)
- Lighthouse (product)
- Oculus Rift (product)
- ST Cortex M0 (chip)
- NXP Cortex M0 (chip)
- FPGA (chip)
- iFixit (company)
- Doc OK (other)
- Trammell Hudson (other)

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- [Stepping Outside the Metaverse to Discuss Next-Gen Hardware Development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-01-16-stepping-outside-the-metaverse-to-discuss-next-gen-hardware-development) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Ep059: Hydraulic Rockets & Presses, Machine Vision Bounces & Stares, Smart Speakers Listen to You](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-03-19-ep059-hydraulic-rockets-presses-machine-vision-bounces-stares-smart-speakers-lis) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [An Interview with Jason Cerundolo](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-03-20-an-interview-with-jason-cerundolo) (The Amp Hour)
- [Hackaday Podcast Ep 389: Spinning Lightfield Displays and Jenny Visits a Blast Furnace](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-02-hackaday-podcast-ep-389-spinning-lightfield-displays-and-jenny-visits-a-blast-fu) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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