# Building Modular Open Source Electronics with Lukas Henkel

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2025-06-10
- Length: 39m
- Episode: 301
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-06-10-building-modular-open-source-electronics-with-lukas-henkel
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/building-modular-open-source-electronics-with-lukas-henkel/

## Summary

Lukas Henkel, co-founder of Open Visions Technology, details the engineering behind modular open-source hardware, including a Linux-based smartwatch and a Framework laptop modification. He explains the use of custom System-in-Package (SIP) designs, HDI PCB technology, and Thintronics low-DK substrates to achieve signal integrity in ultra-compact form factors. The discussion covers the challenges of sourcing documentation from major chip vendors like Qualcomm and NXP, and the strategic decision to use off-the-shelf Framework mainboards as an intermediate step for their open-source laptop project.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-06-10-building-modular-open-source-electronics-with-lukas-henkel#t=0) Introduction: Open Source Laptop and Framework Integration
- [5:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-06-10-building-modular-open-source-electronics-with-lukas-henkel#t=323) Custom Trackpad and Display Interfaces
- [9:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-06-10-building-modular-open-source-electronics-with-lukas-henkel#t=587) Pi MX8 Module and Crowdsupply Campaign
- [13:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-06-10-building-modular-open-source-electronics-with-lukas-henkel#t=817) Modular Linux Smartwatch Design
- [21:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-06-10-building-modular-open-source-electronics-with-lukas-henkel#t=1283) Custom SIP and HDI PCB Engineering
- [32:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-06-10-building-modular-open-source-electronics-with-lukas-henkel#t=1933) Framework Laptop 16 SDR Module

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Open Visions Technology (company)
- Framework (company)
- NXP (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- ESP32 (chip)
- RP2040 (chip)
- i.MX 8 (chip)
- Thintronics (company)
- Altium Designer (tool)
- Altium (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Compact High Speed Design with Lukas Henkel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-10-31-compact-high-speed-design-with-lukas-henkel) (The Amp Hour)
- [Secret Squirrel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-10-02-secret-squirrel) (The Amp Hour)
- [322: Learn Assembly Code](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-28-322-learn-assembly-code) (Embedded.fm)
- [Framework Computer with Nirav Patel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-12-05-framework-computer-with-nirav-patel) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Stories from Teardown 2019](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-08-stories-from-teardown-2019) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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