Hardware Podcasts

506: How Do I Fit a Whale Into an Apartment Building?

Embedded.fm · 25 Jul 2025 · 1h 02m · Episode 506

What this episode covers

Dmitry Grinberg, a software engineer known for running Linux on extremely constrained hardware, explains his projects including 8-pin Linux and Linux on the Intel 4004. He details how he emulates a MIPS processor on small microcontrollers like the STM32G031 to bypass memory constraints, allowing Debian to run on devices with as few as eight pins. Grinberg discusses the technical challenges of emulation, component selection, and his philosophy on open-source hardware documentation.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Prolific, AP Memory, Vilsion, Mouser Electronics
Chips
STM32G031, Intel 4004, PIC16
Also
Debian, MIPS, NandGame, TubeTime, Eric Schlaepfer, Windell Oskay, Open Circuits

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