# An Interview with Jack Ganssle (2nd)

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2020-04-20
- Length: 1h 08m
- Episode: 489
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-20-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/489-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd/

## Summary

Jack Ganssle, author of the Embedded Muse, discusses the evolution of embedded firmware, highlighting the shift toward cloud-connected platforms and the acquisition of RTOS providers like FreeRTOS by Amazon and ExpressLogic by Microsoft. He critiques the current state of vendor-supplied software, praising Renesas' Synergy platform for providing fully tested, guaranteed software components, while noting the decline of legacy RTOSs like VxWorks. Ganssle emphasizes that firmware development requires rigorous design and quality processes, arguing that jumping into code without solid requirements leads to catastrophic failures, as seen in recent medical device and aviation incidents.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-20-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd#t=0) Introduction: Jack Ganssle and the Embedded Muse
- [4:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-20-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd#t=242) Embedded Salary Survey and Remote Work Trends
- [10:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-20-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd#t=652) Vendor Software Quality and Renesas Synergy Platform
- [16:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-20-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd#t=995) Cloud Giants Acquiring RTOS Providers (AWS, Microsoft)
- [21:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-20-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd#t=1308) The State of 8-bit vs. ARM Microcontrollers
- [36:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-20-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd#t=2199) Firmware Development Methodologies and Quality
- [48:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-20-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd#t=2929) Case Studies: Medical Device Failures and Space Shuttle Code
- [57:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-20-an-interview-with-jack-ganssle-2nd#t=3442) Advice for Solo Engineers and Hobbyists

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Embedded Muse (other)
- Renesas (company)
- Synergy (product)
- IAR (tool)
- ExpressLogic (company)
- Wind River (company)
- VxWorks (product)
- Silicon Labs (company)
- Micrium (product)
- FreeRTOS (product)
- Amazon (company)
- AWS (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- Microchip (company)
- ARM (company)
- Cortex-M (product)
- 8051 (product)
- RISC-V (product)
- MISRA (other)
- Screaming Circuits (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [53: Being a Grownup Engineer (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-28-53-being-a-grownup-engineer-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [400: A Really Long Time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-01-28-400-a-really-long-time) (Embedded.fm)
- [53: Being a Grownup Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-05-28-53-being-a-grownup-engineer) (Embedded.fm)
- [290: Rule of Thumbs (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-01-07-290-rule-of-thumbs-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [Christmas Special](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-12-22-christmas-special) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)

## Citing this page

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