The Spark Gap - Episode 12

The Spark Gap · 2 Sept 2014 · 36m

What this episode covers

Hosts Carl and Corey discuss the hardware and firmware requirements for adding Ethernet connectivity to embedded systems. They cover component selection, including RJ45 connectors with integrated magnetics versus separate PHY chips, and explain the MII and RMII interfaces used to connect the PHY to a microcontroller with an embedded MAC. The conversation also explores firmware stacks like LWIP and uIP, application-layer protocols such as HTTP and BSD sockets, and the benefits of Power over Ethernet (PoE) for distributed networks.

Mentioned

Products
Raspberry Pi
Also
RJ45, MII, RMII, LWIP, uIP, Contiki, BSD sockets, HTTP, Curl, PoE, DHCP, TCP, UDP

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 58m

    177: Boba Fett Fell Down

    Hosts Elecia White and Christopher White answer listener emails, discussing career advice for self-taught engineers and physics graduates entering the embedded industry, and technical comparisons between ARM Cortex-M and Cortex-A processors. They also address hardware design questions regarding the use of RJ45 connectors for non-Ethernet signals and discuss the potential of Adobe's Project Voco for audio editing. The episode concludes with show announcements, including a SparkFun contest, a planned meetup in Santa Cruz, and recommendations for educational hardware like the SparkFun Tinker Kit, Sphero, and Jewelbots.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 01m

    167: All Aliens Are Shiny

    Hosts Christopher and Elecia discuss Bayes' Rule using an alien sighting analogy to explain conditional probability, then provide an introduction to bit-banging SPI and other protocols using GPIOs. They address listener questions on moving from maker prototypes to consumer products, starting unit testing in embedded C++, and driving VGA displays with microcontrollers. The episode concludes with housekeeping, including a contest and links to Z80 computer kits and TED talks on octocopters.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 18m

    362: Permutations of Underscores

    Elecia White and Christopher White discuss Christopher's experience using Python and the `ctypes` library to interface with hardware via a CAN bus, highlighting the challenges of parsing split-bit fields. They analyze the Raspberry Pi Pico's programmable I/O features and debate the trade-offs between Arduino, Mbed, and bare-metal ecosystems regarding developer lock-in. The conversation concludes with advice on managing remote work, distinguishing between self-care and self-soothing, and strategies for knowing when to stop coding to avoid technical debt.

  • Embedded.fm · 59m

    464: Please Make This Monster Look Scary

    Elecia White and Christopher White discuss Elecia's upcoming third edition of 'Making Embedded Systems' and Christopher's contract work with Logical Elegance. They debate the design of a potential embedded.fm branded PCB, weighing the utility of a simple radio against the complexity of a full development board, and explore the ethical implications of using Large Language Models for creative and professional tasks. Christopher also provides an update on his progress assembling a QRP Labs QCX+ transceiver for amateur radio communication with his father.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 15m

    The Endless Y2K

    Dave Jones of EEVblog discusses the final stages of his 121 GW multimeter, specifically the decision to use an SD card for firmware updates instead of Bluetooth due to reliability and bootloader complexity. Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics shares his experience hand-assembling 0402 components and advocates for KiCad's OpenGL rendering mode for PCB design. The hosts also debate the industry's reliance on always-connected IoT devices, citing the WPA2 vulnerability and Tesla's Powerwall, before touching on CircuitPython and the future of embedded development.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Spark Gap. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.