# The Spark Gap - Episode 11

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2014-08-25
- Length: 52m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-11

## Summary

James Snyder, a developer for the eLua project, explains how eLua ports the Lua scripting language to microcontrollers, offering an interactive development environment that lowers barriers to entry compared to traditional C development. He details the technical trade-offs, including performance hits on devices without floating-point units and the lack of determinism required for real-time control, while highlighting benefits like rapid prototyping and cross-platform portability. Snyder also discusses his work at Global Satellite Engineering, where they use a customized version of eLua for a satellite tracker product, allowing users to write custom scripts for sensor logic and messaging.

## Chapters

- [0:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11#t=21) Introduction: James Snyder and the eLua Project
- [2:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11#t=168) eLua Architecture: Interpreter, VM, and Hardware Abstraction
- [7:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11#t=458) Performance: Floating Point Emulation and Latency
- [13:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11#t=837) Case Study: Global Satellite Engineering's Satellite Tracker
- [19:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11#t=1149) Competitive Landscape: eLua vs. Embedded Python and JavaScript
- [24:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11#t=1484) Networking: MicroIP Integration and TCP/IP Support
- [28:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11#t=1715) Firmware Updates: J-Tag, Bootloaders, and Remote File Systems
- [35:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11#t=2156) Pitfalls: Pin Configuration Errors and Hard Faults
- [44:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-25-the-spark-gap-episode-11#t=2682) Future Roadmap: Lua 5.2/5.3 Support and Community Engagement

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- eLua (product)
- Lua (other)
- Global Satellite Engineering (company)
- STM32F4 (chip)
- Cortex-M3 (chip)
- Cortex-M4 (chip)
- PIC32 (chip)
- NXP (company)
- ST (company)
- TI (company)
- Stellaris (product)
- Luminary Micro (company)
- Electric Imp (product)
- Squirrel (other)
- Espressif (company)
- Node.js (other)
- OpenOCD (tool)
- J-Tag (tool)
- Xmodem (other)
- MicroIP (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Tony DiCola](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola) (The Amp Hour)
- [MicroPython with Matt Trentini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2026-01-05-micropython-with-matt-trentini) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [102: The Deadly Fluffy Bunny (With WiFi)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-27-102-the-deadly-fluffy-bunny-with-wifi) (Embedded.fm)
- [416: EEs Are From PIC, SWEs Are From Arm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-06-09-416-ees-are-from-pic-swes-are-from-arm) (Embedded.fm)
- [295: In the Key of Lime (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-04-07-295-in-the-key-of-lime-repeat) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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