The Amp Hour · 27 Feb 2023 · 1h 07m · Episode 621
Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss Dave's recent struggles uploading code to GitHub and GitLab, leading to a broader conversation about version control tools like Tortoise SVN and the Zephyr RTOS. They explore the technical merits of E-ink displays for low-power IoT devices and the mechanics of digital calipers, before analyzing the new chip startup Atomic Semi founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. The episode concludes with a demonstration of AI's capabilities in generating code for hardware projects and a review of new features in KiCad 7.
Where this conversation describes AI being used to build or deliver a product. Part of the AI in practice tracker.
Engineering & simulationChatGPT
Dave Jones used ChatGPT to generate Arduino code for driving seven-segment displays and shift registers based on a text description of the hardware circuit.
“so I thought this is like an interesting experiment for chat GPT AI to see if it can, like, I, I know that chat GPT can write code, right? Can you write code for almost anything? Arduino code.”
Dave Jones · Hear it at 47:16
Engineering & simulationChatGPT
Dave Jones used ChatGPT to generate a bill of materials and circuit explanation for implementing a countdown timer using 7400 series logic chips.
“So I asked it, I said something along the lines of, imagine that you're in a digital electronics designer, right? So, so I told it, imagine you're a digital electronics designer. Can you, can you explain how I can make this same code with 7400 series logic?”
Dave Jones · Hear it at 56:13
early-stage companies and founders before launch
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Elecia White and Christopher White discuss the LeapFrog LeapPad and Odyssey Globe, recalling Elecia's work on their capacitive sensing and custom ASIC technology around 2001. They analyze the governance models of open source projects like Valetudo, ESPHome, and Zephyr as analogies for large company politics, and review Bunnie Huang's Dabao Evaluation Board for its verifiability features. The hosts also cover practical tools like Merlin Bird ID and Excel data bars, while debating the use of Ethernet in embedded systems and the state of Renesas MCUs.
Elecia White interviews several hardware innovators at O'Reilly's Solid Conference, including Erin Mulcahy of littleBits, who demonstrates magnetic modular electronics and the new Arduino and cloud modules for prototyping. Jack Mudd of Onewheel explains the self-balancing electric skateboard's firmware tuning and successful Kickstarter, while Taylor Stein of AutoDesk highlights the free enthusiast license for Fusion 360 CAD software. The episode also covers Qualcomm's Laurie Yoler on IoT connectivity, Playtabase's Ahmed Daoud on the Remo gesture controller, Panoptes UAV's Terrence McKenna on collision avoidance sensors, and Coversant's Michael Holdmann on XMPP-based IoT service buses.
Hosts Carl and Corey discuss a grab bag of embedded electronics topics, starting with their new remote recording setup using Shure and MXL microphones. They review the TI ADS1263 32-bit ADC and the Lattice iCE40 FPGA ecosystem, highlighting the open-source Project Ice Storm toolchain. The hosts then critique the Raspberry Pi Zero's limited I/O and the safety issues surrounding lithium-ion batteries in 'hoverboards', before Corey airs a grievance about poor PCB differential pair routing practices.
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