Hardware Podcasts

Rube Goldbergs in Spaaaace

The Amp Hour · 2 Jan 2022 · 1h 13m

What this episode covers

Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Campbell discuss the ongoing semiconductor component shortage, detailing how it forces designers to source from overseas distributors like LCSC and adopt modular designs to mitigate risk. They analyze the James Webb Space Telescope's complex deployment sequence, using it as an example of high-stakes engineering where single points of failure are unacceptable. The conversation shifts to the history of connectors, the release of KiCad 6, and the rising influence of RISC-V architecture in low-cost microcontrollers from companies like WCH.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Texas Instruments, LCSC, WCH, ARM, Microchip
Products
James Webb Space Telescope, Vichay Furnace
Chips
RISC-V
Tools
KiCad, Altium

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