# The Synergy Bus

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2018-06-11
- Length: 1h 09m
- Episode: 396
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/396-the-synergy-bus/

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus#t=0) Introduction: Chris Gammell and Dave Jones
- [3:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus#t=217) Tor Camp, DEF CON, and Shadytel Communications
- [15:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus#t=928) ESP32 I2C Troubleshooting and Software Implementation
- [22:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus#t=1352) I2C History, Philips Trademark, and Addressing
- [41:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus#t=2493) Pericom PT8A2511 Toaster Controller and Dave's Toaster Story
- [53:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus#t=3184) Ocic Kickstarter Failure and Scope Creep
- [1:03:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus#t=3797) Essential Smartphone Budget and Andy Rubin
- [1:08:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus#t=4082) 76477 Chip, Google Style Guide, and Meetups

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ESP32 (chip)
- Adafruit Huzzah32 (product)
- Pericom PT8A2511 (chip)
- Ocic (company)
- Essential (company)
- Philips (company)
- NXP (company)
- Bus Pirate (product)
- 76477 (chip)
- MicroPython (other)
- Arduino (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [90: Stick It in a Pumpkin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-26-90-stick-it-in-a-pumpkin) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep029: Your Face in Silver Sand, Tires of the Future, ESP32 all the CNC Things, and Sub in a Jug](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-08-02-ep029-your-face-in-silver-sand-tires-of-the-future-esp32-all-the-cnc-things-and) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 357: BreezyBox, Antique Tech, and Defusing Killer Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-13-ep-357-breezybox-antique-tech-and-defusing-killer-robots) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep011: Weird Keyboards, Salvaging LCD Screens, and Mike Interviews Ivan of Espressif in Shanghai](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-03-22-ep011-weird-keyboards-salvaging-lcd-screens-and-mike-interviews-ivan-of-espressi) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 262: Wheelchair Hacking, Big Little Science at Home, Arya Talks PCBs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-03-15-ep-262-wheelchair-hacking-big-little-science-at-home-arya-talks-pcbs) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-11-the-synergy-bus. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.