# The Spark Gap - Episode 1

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2014-06-16
- Length: 36m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-06-16-the-spark-gap-episode-1
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-1

## Summary

Hosts Karl and Corey discuss the role of microcontrollers in embedded electronics, starting with a clarification that Arduino is a software ecosystem and community rather than a microcontroller itself. They analyze the trade-offs of abstraction in Arduino, citing a specific failure where the library's slow ADC sampling rate made it unsuitable for audio processing. The conversation then compares various manufacturers, highlighting Microchip's longevity and documentation, NXP's I2C ecosystem, and the challenges of using Freescale parts due to fragmented documentation and lack of community support.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-06-16-the-spark-gap-episode-1#t=0) Introduction: The Spark Gap Podcast and Microcontrollers
- [1:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-06-16-the-spark-gap-episode-1#t=60) Defining Arduino: Software, Hardware, and Community
- [5:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-06-16-the-spark-gap-episode-1#t=338) The Abstraction Problem: Audio Sampling Failure with Arduino
- [16:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-06-16-the-spark-gap-episode-1#t=990) Evaluating Freescale and ARM Cortex Documentation Issues
- [22:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-06-16-the-spark-gap-episode-1#t=1348) Microchip and TI: Preferences for Documentation and Tools
- [30:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-06-16-the-spark-gap-episode-1#t=1806) NXP, Atmel, and the Value of Clear Data Sheets

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Arduino (product)
- Freescale (company)
- NXP (company)
- Microchip (company)
- TI (company)
- Atmel (company)
- ARM (chip)
- SEGGER J-Link (tool)
- PIC32 (product)
- STM32 (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [A House of FR4](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-10-28-a-house-of-fr4) (The Amp Hour)
- [328: Debugging Like a Monkey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-04-23-328-debugging-like-a-monkey) (Embedded.fm)
- [144: Asking For Clippy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-23-144-asking-for-clippy) (Embedded.fm)
- [520: All Sorts of Interesting Facts About Teeth](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-02-06-520-all-sorts-of-interesting-facts-about-teeth) (Embedded.fm)
- [245: Tell Me How People Hurt You](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-10-245-tell-me-how-people-hurt-you) (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-spark-gap/2014-06-16-the-spark-gap-episode-1. 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 Spark Gap.