# Engineering Optimization

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2023-05-22
- Length: 1h 04m
- Episode: 633
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-22-engineering-optimization
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/633-engineering-optimization/

## Summary

Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the engineering optimization of hardware projects, focusing on Microchip's decision to charge for its MPLAB IDE compiler optimization features. They analyze the broader implications of paid tooling, vendor lock-in, and the value of developer experience in semiconductor companies. The conversation also covers the evolution of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), the security risks of CAN bus hacking in modern vehicles, and the market for low-cost electronics tools like the Flipper Zero and Pine64 boards.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-22-engineering-optimization#t=0) Introduction and Dymo Labelers
- [4:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-22-engineering-optimization#t=249) Microchip MPLAB Tooling and Pricing
- [14:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-22-engineering-optimization#t=865) Developer Experience and Vendor Lock-in
- [18:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-22-engineering-optimization#t=1090) CAN Bus Security and Car Theft
- [25:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-22-engineering-optimization#t=1527) Engineering Optimization and ASICs
- [42:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-22-engineering-optimization#t=2523) Low-Cost Tools and Flipper Zero
- [55:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-22-engineering-optimization#t=3315) Project Ideas and Pine64

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Microchip (company)
- MPLAB (tool)
- GCC (tool)
- Flipper Zero (product)
- Pine64 (company)
- CH32V003 (chip)
- LM3914 (chip)
- MK484 (chip)
- Zotek ZT702S (product)
- TS100 (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Spark Gap - Episode 17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-10-08-the-spark-gap-episode-17) (The Spark Gap)
- [127: Chicken Equals Duck Plus One](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-26-127-chicken-equals-duck-plus-one) (Embedded.fm)
- [334: Bag of Heuristics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-11-334-bag-of-heuristics) (Embedded.fm)
- [010 - T0015! Part 0x3 - Debug Interfaces](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2018-05-15-010-t0015-part-0x3-debug-interfaces) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 9](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-12-the-spark-gap-episode-9) (The Spark Gap)

## 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/2023-05-22-engineering-optimization. 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.