# 349: Open Down to the Transistor

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2020-10-23
- Length: 1h 14m
- Episode: 349
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/349-open-down-to-the-transistor

## Summary

Drew Fustini, an Embedded Linux developer at OSH Park and board member of the BeagleBoard.org Foundation, explains how to build custom Linux distributions using Yocto and Buildroot for embedded products. He details the architecture of embedded Linux, including bootloaders like U-Boot, kernel management, and init systems, while contrasting Yocto's flexibility with Buildroot's simplicity. Fustini also covers the rise of RISC-V as an open instruction set architecture, discussing its benefits for custom silicon design and the availability of open-source FPGA tools like LiteX and Migen for running Linux on soft cores.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor#t=6) Introduction and Guest Background
- [8:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor#t=526) Yocto and Buildroot for Embedded Linux
- [14:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor#t=849) Embedded Linux Architecture and Kernel Management
- [26:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor#t=1609) Networking and System Configuration
- [32:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor#t=1938) Conferences and Community Engagement
- [42:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor#t=2525) RISC-V Architecture and Microcontrollers
- [52:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor#t=3155) Linux on FPGAs and Open Source Tools
- [1:03:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor#t=3828) OSH Park Projects and KiCad Development
- [1:11:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor#t=4296) SkyWater PDK and Open Chip Manufacturing

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Yocto (tool)
- Buildroot (tool)
- RISC-V (chip)
- BeagleBoard.org (company)
- OSH Park (company)
- U-Boot (tool)
- LiteX (tool)
- Migen (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- OrangeCrab (product)
- SkyWater (company)
- GigaDevices (company)
- SiFive (company)
- Western Digital (company)
- GreenWaves Technology (company)
- Lattice (company)
- Antmicro (company)
- Renode (tool)
- QEMU (tool)
- ConnMan (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Embedded Linux with Jay Carlson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson) (The Amp Hour)
- [Launch of RISC-V Special Project | MIPS vs. RISC-V | RISC-V Impact on ARM](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-02-18-launch-of-risc-v-special-project-mips-vs-risc-v-risc-v-impact-on-arm) (EE Times Current)
- [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)
- [RISC-V Reaches Adolescence](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-12-17-risc-v-reaches-adolescence) (EE Times Current)
- [Pulled From A Working Environment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-01-pulled-from-a-working-environment) (The Amp Hour)

## 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/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor. 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.