# 295: In the Key of Lime

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2019-07-18
- Length: 1h 11m
- Episode: 295
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-18-295-in-the-key-of-lime
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/295-in-the-key-of-lime

## Summary

Kattni Rembor and Scott Shawcroft from Adafruit explain CircuitPython, a derivative of MicroPython designed to lower the barrier to entry for beginners by prioritizing ease of use over raw performance. They detail the technical differences between CircuitPython and MicroPython, including the decision to fork the project to maintain a consistent API and hide complex hardware features. The guests discuss the architecture of CircuitPython, such as its interpreter model, memory management challenges on low-RAM chips like the SAMD21, and the use of the Blinka library to run CircuitPython libraries on Linux single-board computers.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-18-295-in-the-key-of-lime#t=7) Introduction: Kattni Rembor and Scott Shawcroft from Adafruit
- [3:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-18-295-in-the-key-of-lime#t=221) CircuitPython Philosophy and Fork from MicroPython
- [14:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-18-295-in-the-key-of-lime#t=855) CircuitPython Architecture: Interpreters, Bytecode, and Memory
- [18:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-18-295-in-the-key-of-lime#t=1093) Getting Started with Circuit Playground Express and Hardware
- [25:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-18-295-in-the-key-of-lime#t=1551) Handling Concurrency, Interrupts, and Determinism
- [38:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-18-295-in-the-key-of-lime#t=2339) Porting CircuitPython to New Boards and CI/CD
- [52:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-07-18-295-in-the-key-of-lime#t=3137) Community Building, PyCon, and Open Source Contributions

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- CircuitPython (product)
- Adafruit (company)
- MicroPython (product)
- Circuit Playground Express (product)
- SAMD21 (chip)
- NRF52832 (chip)
- Blinka (product)
- PyPortal (product)
- SAMD51 (chip)
- i.MX RT (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Scott Shawcroft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-03-12-an-interview-with-scott-shawcroft) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Tony DiCola](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola) (The Amp Hour)
- [Embedded Hardware with the Raspberry Pi Team](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-02-08-embedded-hardware-with-the-raspberry-pi-team) (The Amp Hour)
- [Rubber Duck Incarnate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-01-26-rubber-duck-incarnate) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep 387: Superhuman Clocks, CAN in USB-C, and the Joys of Bare Metal](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-18-ep-387-superhuman-clocks-can-in-usb-c-and-the-joys-of-bare-metal) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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