Hardware Podcasts

The Synergy Bus

The Amp Hour · 11 Jun 2018 · 1h 09m · Episode 396

What this episode covers

Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss troubleshooting I2C communication on an ESP32, revealing that the bus implementation was software-based and highlighting the importance of pull-up resistors and logic analyzers. They explore the history of the I2C standard from Philips, the specific PT8A2511 toaster controller from Pericom, and the failed Ocic smart headphone Kickstarter, attributing its failure to scope creep and VC-driven business model shifts. The conversation also covers the Essential smartphone's high development costs, the 76477 Space Invaders sound chip, and upcoming hardware hacker events like Tor Camp and DEF CON.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Ocic, Essential, Philips, NXP
Products
Adafruit Huzzah32, Bus Pirate
Chips
ESP32, Pericom PT8A2511, 76477
Also
MicroPython, Arduino

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 07m

    90: Stick It in a Pumpkin

    Todd Kurt, co-founder of ThingM, discusses the evolution of his company's smart LED products, specifically the I2C-based BlinkM and the USB-based Blink(1). He explains the technical trade-offs between using ATtiny microcontrollers for I2C communication and Microchip PIC processors for native USB support, highlighting the firmware and timing challenges with WS2812 (NeoPixel) and APA102 (DotStar) LEDs. Kurt details the business strategy behind using Kickstarter for market validation and PR, while recounting specific manufacturing pain points in China, including firmware bugs, PCB layout issues, and CNC machining errors. He also touches on the complexities of managing a small hardware team, dealing with software contractors, and exploring future wireless product directions.

    PCB design & layoutMicrocontrollers & dev platforms
    8 chapters

  • Hackaday Podcast · 55m

    Ep029: Your Face in Silver Sand, Tires of the Future, ESP32 all the CNC Things, and Sub in a Jug

    Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys discuss several hardware hacks, including a project by I am pro that uses an ESP32 and Gerbil firmware to turn an Etch A Sketch into a camera. They also cover a submarine built in a lemonade jug, a teardown of the new Amazon Echo Dot, and a tutorial on debugging op-amp distortion in an Arduino walkie-talkie. The episode concludes with a deep dive into the complexities of USB-C standards and an analysis of Michelin's airless tire technology.

    Microcontrollers & dev platformsDebugging & failure analysis
    10 chapters

  • Hackaday Podcast · 1h 06m

    Ep 357: BreezyBox, Antique Tech, and Defusing Killer Robots

    Editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi discuss BreezyBox, a project by Valentine Donald Chuck that provides a busybox-like shell and virtual terminal for the ESP32, enabling interactive development and self-compiling applications on the microcontroller. They also review a case study on Brighter, a Kickstarter-funded lamp company, detailing the manufacturing challenges faced by founder Simon, including heat sink design errors and assembly communication failures. The episode covers Tucker Osman's reverse engineering of iPad displays to create a PC touchscreen, the homebrew scene for the Nintendo Pokemon Mini, and the creation of a custom RGB 14-segment display by East Makes. Finally, they analyze industrial robot safety protocols and test the viability of decade-old PLA filament.

    Embedded firmwareManufacturing partners & offshoring
    10 chapters

  • Hackaday Podcast · 1h 07m

    Ep011: Weird Keyboards, Salvaging LCD Screens, and Mike Interviews Ivan of Espressif in Shanghai

    Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi review the week's top hacks, including custom mechanical keyboards like Venability, salvaging antique LCD screens with FPGAs, and extracting bismuth from Pepto-Bismol. The episode features an interview with Ivan Grokhotkov of Espressif, who discusses the development of the ESP8266 and ESP32, the challenges of documentation in Chinese semiconductor companies, and hints at a future chip. They also cover DIY RC transmitters, retro-computing festivals, and the debate over teaching computational thinking versus specific coding languages.

    Microcontrollers & dev platformsPCB design & layout
    7 chapters

  • Hackaday Podcast · 1h 02m

    Ep 262: Wheelchair Hacking, Big Little Science at Home, Arya Talks PCBs

    Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi discuss a German wheelchair manufacturer's controversial subscription model for app features, a community effort to document a poorly supported Hell Tech ESP32 dev board, and a review of Eric Hunting's comprehensive guide to mechanical building systems. They also cover techniques for reverse-engineering hex dumps in legacy devices, the use of scarf joints in 3D printing slicers, and Arya's new column on PCB design reviews and KiCad automation.

    PCB design & layoutDebugging & failure analysis
    9 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Amp Hour. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.