# Embedded Linux with Jay Carlson

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2020-11-02
- Length: 2h 13m
- Episode: 515
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/515-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson/

## Summary

Jay Carlson, an embedded Linux expert and PhD student, discusses his comprehensive guide to building embedded Linux systems, detailing the process of designing and testing 10 different boards to demonstrate the steps. He explains the transition from bare-metal microcontroller development to embedded Linux, emphasizing that Linux development involves reading and configuring source code rather than writing it from scratch, and highlights the importance of using build systems like Buildroot. Carlson advises engineers to start with simple, low-cost processors like the Allwinner A33 or V3S, arguing that modern embedded Linux is accessible to hobbyists and small teams if they leverage existing mainline kernel support and dev configs.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=0) Introduction: Jay Carlson and his Embedded Linux guide
- [4:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=281) Bare Metal vs. Embedded Linux: Reading Source Code
- [13:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=799) Getting Started with Allwinner A33 and Buildroot
- [18:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=1114) Learning Linux: Breaking Stuff and Debugging
- [22:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=1348) Hardware Design: QFP vs. BGA and DDR Routing
- [30:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=1830) Student Projects: Nixie Clock and Spotify Box
- [40:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=2412) Choosing Processors: Set-top Boxes vs. Medical Devices
- [52:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=3173) Microcontrollers vs. Linux: Power and Memory Constraints
- [1:01:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=3703) RTOS, FreeRTOS, and Zephyr Comparison
- [1:14:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=4477) Hybrid Systems: Linux with Supervisory Microcontrollers
- [1:24:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=5058) Dev Boards, CAD Tools, and Upstreaming Patches
- [1:51:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=6667) Real-Time Linux, Safety, and Vendor Support
- [2:01:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson#t=7306) Android vs. Linux and Life in Nebraska

## 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)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Jay Carlson (other)
- Chris Gammell (other)
- Allwinner A33 (chip)
- Allwinner V3S (chip)
- Nuvoton NUC980 (chip)
- i.MX6 (chip)
- i.MX8 (chip)
- STM32 MP1 (chip)
- BeagleBoard (product)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- Buildroot (tool)
- Yocto (tool)
- Altium (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Zephyr (other)
- FreeRTOS (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [349: Open Down to the Transistor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-23-349-open-down-to-the-transistor) (Embedded.fm)
- [211: 4 weeks, 3 days](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-17-211-4-weeks-3-days) (Embedded.fm)
- [303: Kids, Turn in Your Chips](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-09-19-303-kids-turn-in-your-chips) (Embedded.fm)
- [211: 4 weeks, 3 days (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [107: Until They Are Spaghetti](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-07-01-107-until-they-are-spaghetti) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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