# Thermions Aren't A Thing

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2020-11-09
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 516
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-09-thermions-arent-a-thing
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/516-thermions-arent-a-thing/

## Summary

Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the technical challenges of implementing Bluetooth bootloading with Nordic parts, noting the significant memory overhead and the difficulties of using Bluetooth LE for serial communication compared to standard Bluetooth. They introduce 'thermal jumpers' from Vishay and ATC as a new solution for thermally conducting heat from isolated SMD components to ground planes without electrical connection. The hosts also review SparkFun's 'A La Carte' automated PCB design service, AMD's acquisition of Xilinx, and the industry consolidation of FPGA and microcontroller brands like Intel and Microchip.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-09-thermions-arent-a-thing#t=0) Introduction and Bluetooth Bootloading
- [6:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-09-thermions-arent-a-thing#t=395) Bluetooth LE Challenges and USB Power Delivery
- [12:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-09-thermions-arent-a-thing#t=730) Thermal Jumpers for Isolated Heat Extraction
- [31:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-09-thermions-arent-a-thing#t=1860) High Voltage Power and Grid Maintenance
- [44:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-09-thermions-arent-a-thing#t=2678) SparkFun A La Carte and PCB Design Services
- [52:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-09-thermions-arent-a-thing#t=3171) AMD/Xilinx Acquisition and Industry Consolidation
- [58:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-09-thermions-arent-a-thing#t=3490) Lab Setup and Software Tools

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Nordic (company)
- Vishay (company)
- American Technical Ceramics (company)
- SparkFun (company)
- AMD (company)
- Xilinx (company)
- Intel (company)
- Microchip (company)
- Silicon Labs (company)
- Gumstix (company)
- KiCad (tool)
- Manic Time (tool)
- Analog Discovery (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 313: Capacitor Plague, Wireless Power, and Tiny Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-21-ep-313-capacitor-plague-wireless-power-and-tiny-everything-b56cece1) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 313: Capacitor Plague, Wireless Power, and Tiny Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-21-ep-313-capacitor-plague-wireless-power-and-tiny-everything) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 313: Capacitor Plague, Wireless Power, and Tiny Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-21-ep-313-capacitor-plague-wireless-power-and-tiny-everything-cb8186ab) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep052: Shorting Components, Printing Typewriter Balls, Taking Time Lapse, and Makerspace Movie Prop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-01-31-ep052-shorting-components-printing-typewriter-balls-taking-time-lapse-and-makers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [146: The Loyal Opposition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-04-07-146-the-loyal-opposition) (Embedded.fm)

## 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/2020-11-09-thermions-arent-a-thing. 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.