# An Interview with Jason Kridner and Robert Nelson

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2018-02-04
- Length: 1h 59m
- Episode: 378
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-04-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/378-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson/

## Summary

Jason Kridner of Texas Instruments and BeagleBoard.org, along with Robert Nelson of DigiKey, discuss the decade-long evolution of the BeagleBoard project, focusing on the transition from early Angstrom and Scratchbox builds to modern Debian-based images. They detail the technical architecture of the Pocket Beagle, highlighting the use of the Octavo OSD3358 System-in-Package (SIP) and the powerful Programmable Real-Time Units (PRUs) for low-latency tasks. The conversation covers the complexities of Linux kernel maintenance, device tree configurations, and the community-driven development of derivatives like the BeagleBone Blue and BeagleBone Black Wireless.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-04-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson#t=0) Introduction: Jason Kridner and Robert Nelson
- [2:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-04-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson#t=171) History of BeagleBoard: From Angstrom to Debian
- [8:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-04-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson#t=515) Linux Kernel and Driver Abstraction
- [27:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-04-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson#t=1641) The Pocket Beagle and Octavo SIP
- [48:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-04-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson#t=2906) Programmable Real-Time Units (PRUs)
- [1:00:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-04-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson#t=3606) Kernel Versions and Distribution Stability
- [1:39:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-04-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson#t=5960) DigiKey Support and Build Farms
- [1:44:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-04-an-interview-with-jason-kridner-and-robert-nelson#t=6262) ARM Architecture and Naming Confusion

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- BeagleBoard.org (company)
- DigiKey (company)
- Texas Instruments (company)
- Pocket Beagle (product)
- BeagleBone Blue (product)
- BeagleBone Black (product)
- Octavo OSD3358 (chip)
- PRU (chip)
- Angstrom (other)
- Debian (other)
- Scratchbox (tool)
- Node-RED (product)
- KiCad (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- Cloud9 IDE (tool)
- Code Composer Studio (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [60: Fun Things You Can Make out of Beagles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-07-23-60-fun-things-you-can-make-out-of-beagles) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep. 19 | Open-Source Machine Learning with BeagleBoard Co-Founder Jason Kridner](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-03-04-ep-19-open-source-machine-learning-with-beagleboard-co-founder-jason-kridner) (Moore's Lobby)
- [110: Happiness Is a Warm Puppy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-07-22-110-happiness-is-a-warm-puppy) (Embedded.fm)
- [Interview with Zach Supalla - Particle CEO! Tachyon 5G SBC! Blues LoRaWAN Starter Kit!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-08-19-interview-with-zach-supalla-particle-ceo-tachyon-5g-sbc-blues-lorawan-starter-ki) (The Electromaker Show)
- [400: A Really Long Time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-01-28-400-a-really-long-time) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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