# #456.3 - Discussing Fomu with Tim Ansell and Sean Cross

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2019-09-04
- Length: 1h 10m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross/

## Summary

Tim Ansell and Sean Cross of Kosagi, along with Michael Ossmann of Great Scott Gadgets, discuss the Fomu, an FPGA embedded in a USB device designed to lower the barrier to entry for hardware development. They detail the technical challenges of designing for the iCE40 FPGA, including complex power sequencing and the development of an open-source USB stack in MyHDL. The group highlights how open-source toolchains and community-driven workshops enable software developers to transition into hardware engineering by providing accessible debugging tools and flexible, reprogrammable hardware.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=0) Introduction: Fomu and CCCamp 2019 Context
- [1:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=82) Sean Cross and Kosagi: From Novena Laptop to Fomu Production
- [5:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=340) iCE40 FPGA Hardware Design: Power Sequencing and Regulators
- [9:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=563) Open Source Toolchains: Yosys, MyHDL, and USB Stack Development
- [16:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=998) USB Protocol Challenges: Linux vs. Windows and Compliance Testing
- [26:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=1587) Fomu as a Debugging Platform: USB-to-Wishbone and Soft CPU
- [31:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=1918) Open Source Philosophy: Accessibility and Community Workshops
- [46:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=2762) Why FPGAs? Flexibility, Security Patching, and Machine Learning
- [55:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=3307) Vendor Neutrality: Moving from Lattice iCE40 to Xilinx Artix-7
- [1:04:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-04-456-3-discussing-fomu-with-tim-ansell-and-sean-cross#t=3851) Production Struggles: PCB Manufacturing and Great Scott Gadgets Updates

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Fomu (product)
- Kosagi (company)
- Great Scott Gadgets (company)
- iCE40 (chip)
- Yosys (tool)
- MyHDL (tool)
- TinyUSB (tool)
- V-USB (tool)
- Beagle (tool)
- HackRF (product)
- Artix-7 (chip)
- Xilinx (company)
- Lattice (company)
- Be Trusted (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep002: Curious Gadgets and the FPGA Brain Trust](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-01-15-ep002-curious-gadgets-and-the-fpga-brain-trust) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [100: Unintentional Radiator](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-06-100-unintentional-radiator) (Embedded.fm)
- [293: Skateboard Tricks (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-12-23-293-skateboard-tricks-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [486: A Nice Rainbow Dream](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-10-03-486-a-nice-rainbow-dream) (Embedded.fm)
- [025 - Opaque Magisterium](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-08-14-025-opaque-magisterium) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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