Embedded

Adrienne Braganza Tacke spoke with us about her book Looks Good To Me: Constructive Code Reviews. It is about how to make code reviews more useful, effective, and congenial.  Adrienne’s book is available now as an ebook at manning.com or a paper copy later in the year (Amazon link). Check out the example Team Working Agreement from Appendix A. Adrienne’s personal website is adrienne.io. Transcript

The hosts dive into the world of robotics, discussing user-friendly simulation tools like Webots. They explore the technical challenges of capturing comets in astrophotography, sharing tips and software insights. A light-hearted exploration of misconceptions adds humor, while reflections on navigating graduate education highlight career choices and learning paths in tech. Listeners can expect a whimsical story about a transformer robot, weaving together creativity and friendship.

Antoine van Gelder spoke to us about making digital musical instruments, USB, and FPGAs.  Antoine works for Great Scott Gadgets, specifically on the Cynthion USB protocol analysis tool that can be used in conjunction with Python and GSG’s FaceDancer to act as a new USB device.  While bonding over MurderBot Diaries was a given, Antoine also mentioned NAND2Tetris which Elecia countered with The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles, the book that covers the NAND2Tetris material. Memfault is a leading embedded device observability platform that empowers teams to build better IoT products, faster. Its off-the-shelf solution is specifically designed for bandwidth-constrained devices, offering device performance and product analytics, debugging, and over-the-air capabilities. Trusted by leading brands such as Bose, Lyft, Logitech, Panasonic, and Augury, Memfault improves the reliability of devices across consumer electronics and mission-critical industries such as access control, point of sale, energy, and healthcare. To learn more, visit memfault.com.

Alan Blackwell, a Professor of Interdisciplinary Design at Cambridge University, shares insights on the intricate interplay between artificial intelligence and creativity. He discusses the moral implications of AI-generated works and the limitations of large language models in producing original content. Blackwell also delves into how AI affects creative professions, touching on job displacement and the essence of artistic expression. The conversation reflects on humanity's relationship with technology, urging caution in our reliance on AI as it shapes our lives.

Chris and Elecia talk to each other about setting aside memory in a linker file, printing using your debugger, looking around a new code base, pointers as optimization, choosing processors, skill trees and merit badges. Elecia’s Creating Chaos and Hard Faults talk and slides. STM32 Application Note AN4989 microcontroller debug toolbox includes semihosting. Memfault’s Interrupt blog has a good Semihosting post. Elecia and Steph’s Embedded Skills Tree. A far more detailed one pointed out by a listener: A comprehensive roadmap for aspiring Embedded Systems Engineers, featuring a curated list of learning resources.  The most influential book Elecia has never read is You Can Do It!: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls.  Transcript  Memfault is a leading embedded device observability platform that empowers teams to build better IoT products, faster. Its off-the-shelf solution is specifically designed for bandwidth-constrained devices, offering device performance and product analytics, debugging, and over-the-air capabilities. Trusted by leading brands such as Bose, Lyft, Logitech, Panasonic, and Augury, Memfault improves the reliability of devices across consumer electronics and mission-critical industries such as access control, point of sale, energy, and healthcare. To learn more, visit memfault.com.

Rick Altherr, an expert in high-speed control and quantum computing systems, discusses the fascinating world of quantum technology. He explains how to build quantum computers and even create a quantum circuit simulator using just 27 lines of Python. The conversation covers the intricacies of trapped ion technology, laser modulation, and the challenges of programming quantum circuits. With a mix of humor and technical insights, Rick also shares tips for career transitions and mentorship, making complex concepts accessible and engaging.

Professor Colleen Lewis joined us to talk teaching pointers with stuffies, explaining inheritance through tigers, and computer science pedagogy. Check out her YouTube channel to view her videos explaining CS concepts with physical models. These are also collected on her website: Physical Models of Java. If you are an instructor (or thinking about teaching CS), check out Colleen’s CS Teaching Tips. You may also be interested in some other research: John Edwards Study on Syntax exercises in CS1 Daniel Willingham on why learning styles aren’t a real thing A Beginner's Guide to Teaching with Algebra Tiles Colleen is an Assistant Professor at University Illinois, Urbana-Champaign’s Siebel School of Computing and Data Science. You can find her papers on Google Scholar (including studies on teaching and learning).  Transcript Memfault is a leading embedded device observability platform that empowers teams to build better IoT products, faster. Its off-the-shelf solution is specifically designed for bandwidth-constrained devices, offering device performance and product analytics, debugging, and over-the-air capabilities. Trusted by leading brands such as Bose, Lyft, Logitech, Panasonic, and Augury, Memfault improves the reliability of devices across consumer electronics and mission-critical industries such as access control, point of sale, energy, and healthcare. To learn more, visit memfault.com.

The hosts share their light-hearted adventures of skunks and dogs. They dive into the world of embedded systems and upcoming talks, blending humor and tech insights. Discussions on the Playdate handheld console reveal its unique crank control and indie game potential. Troubles with Network Time Protocol bring back nostalgic tech drama. They also engage playfully with topics like RSS feeds and the challenges of podcasting, while weaving in charming anecdotes about Winnie the Pooh and friendship.

Jerry Twomey spoke with us about his new O’Reilly book Applied Embedded Electronics which covers embedded topics such as EMI, signal processing, control systems and non-ideal components. Jerry is also the principal engineer at Effective Electrons. His articles are linked from there and you can contact him via the site. Here is a 30-day trial for the O’Reilly Learning System. You can take a look at Jerry’s Applied Embedded Electronics and Elecia’s Making Embedded Systems as well as hundreds of other books about software, hardware, engineering, and origami.  Transcript

Carles Cufí spoke with us about Zephyr, Nordic, learning, open source development, and corporate goals.  Carles had some great suggestions for learning Zephyr: Memfault Interrupt Practical Zephyr blog series Nordic’s Developer Academy  Zephyr’s Discord server Zephyr’s YouTube channel (@ZephyrProject), sorted by views  Macrobatics term is from Zephyr Devicetree Mysteries, Solved - Marti Bolivar, Nordic Semiconductor  There is also the Zephyr website for a full picture. And various Nordic tutorials (see nRF5340 Audio applications).  Carles was an author on Getting Started with Bluetooth Low Energy: Tools and Techniques for Low-Power Networking. The cover animal is a mousebird.  Transcript