# Autorouter, Datasheets & Obscure Chips - Cloddish Collegiate Conversations

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2011-06-07
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 46
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-46-cloddish-collegiate-conversations/

## Summary

Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the challenges of finding obscure components, specifically the difficulty of searching for lithium-ion battery charger chips with specific voltage and current requirements. They debate the utility of auto-routing software in PCB design, criticizing tools like Altium's while praising others like Topo Router, and contrast the university experiences and cultural norms of the US and Australia.

## Chapters

- [0:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations#t=38) Introduction and Server Issues
- [9:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations#t=569) Open Source Hardware Summit and MakerBot
- [14:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations#t=891) Altium Forum Cease and Desist
- [18:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations#t=1136) Auto Router Debate: Topo Router and Altium
- [27:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations#t=1638) US vs Australian University Culture
- [30:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations#t=1846) Peter Thiel Fellowship and DARPA UAV Competition
- [46:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations#t=2764) Metrication and E-Ink Tablet Discussion
- [52:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations#t=3128) Searching for Lithium-Ion Charger Chips
- [1:00:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-06-07-autorouter-datasheets-obscure-chips-cloddish-collegiate-conversations#t=3656) Chip of the Week: AD633 Multiplier

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Altium (company)
- Topo Router (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- Simple Machines Forum (tool)
- DigiKey (company)
- Mouser (company)
- MakerBot (company)
- DARPA (company)
- AD633 (chip)
- Silicon Chip (other)
- Kindle (product)
- e-ink (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Spark Gap - Episode 44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-12-25-the-spark-gap-episode-44) (The Spark Gap)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-10-14-the-spark-gap-episode-41) (The Spark Gap)
- [20: Soldered Together By Monkeys](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-09-26-20-soldered-together-by-monkeys) (Embedded.fm)
- [Integrating Hardware and Software Teams](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-07-12-integrating-hardware-and-software-teams) (Oxide and Friends)
- [069 - Canned Cheese and Onion Rings](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2024-04-17-069-canned-cheese-and-onion-rings) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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