The Amp Hour Electronics Podcast

The hosts tackle the quirky challenges of troubleshooting a PCB with a pesky short circuit. They humorously ponder whether AI could save the day and discuss the trials of Gerber files. With thermal cameras and 6.5 digit DMMs, they share insights on circuit diagnostics and the maker movement. Personal anecdotes highlight the pitfalls of design errors, emphasizing the importance of human oversight. They also reflect on the evolution of product design and the fascinating legacy of figures like Ward Christensen and Jack Ganssle.

Lukas Henkel, CEO of OV Tech GmbH and co-founder of PCB Arts, brings his expertise in high-speed design and miniaturization to the discussion. He dives into the challenges of fitting powerful computing into small form factors, addressing price constraints and the use of standard PCB technology. Lukas reveals insights on System-in-Package (SIP) designs and shares an upcoming Crowd Supply campaign for a new IoT module. He also emphasizes the role of visualizations in understanding signal integrity and the importance of community-driven innovation in electronics.

Rocket landing technology is taking giant leaps forward, as witnessed with the exciting catch of Starship 5. Charging challenges for electric vehicles reveal surprising insights about manual overrides and infrastructure needs. Innovations in PCB manufacturing and multimeter technology are shaping the future of electronics. A light-hearted dive into the cultural quirks of musk fragrances adds a fun twist to the conversation. With serious discussions about hurricane impacts on quartz supply chains, they explore both community resilience and the intricacies of modern technology.

Dan Esparon, an Electrical Engineering Manager at Inovor Technologies, shares insights on designing and launching satellites in Australia. He discusses the intricate design of critical components like solar panels and battery systems, as well as the importance of local manufacturing. The conversation highlights the complexities of satellite deployment and collaboration with launch providers like SpaceX. Innovations in laser communication technology and the significance of rigorous testing protocols also take center stage, emphasizing the future of satellite operations.

Welcome Katerina Galitskaya! Chris started following Katerina’s antenna posts on LinkedIn Monopole vs dipole Lower frequences are harder bc longer wavelength PCB size half of frequency Place antenta on the shorter side How to ruin your PCB When to go to a antenna engineer? Where will the device be? Antenna environment Start from vacuum, start adding elements Dummies in the lab. The one in the episode photo is a dummy head filled with liquid (?!) SAR – Specific Absorption rate Simulation vs lab work (dimensions) Anechoic chamber When to go with custom antenna? Buying off the shelf antenna? New Airpods with fancy 3D antenna Ben’s video about laser sintered antennas MIMO / Beamforming the failed promises of 5G When to simulate Some open source programs out there (“EMSee”?) Simulating vs visualizing Most of the time it’s not about vizualizing fields What is the iteration elements of the antenna? Satellite antenna design Good to go external Thinking about the dielectric const of case Follow Katerina on LinkedIn!

Spam calls Keysight released the HD3, a 14 bit ADC oscilloscope (teardown video) Chris will be at Embedded World North America, please let him know if you’ll be there! Chris will be at the Joulescope stand along with former guest Matt Liberty This is one of the only tradeshows for general electronics in the US, Embedded Systems Conference went away many years ago. Chris, Dave, and Jeff (yesssah!) recorded at ESC in episode 41! Bootstrapping new conferences Cellular power modes Dave old GSM video PSM / eDRX ALT1350 Dave got a smart meter on his home setup EDMI  EEVblog forum post about leaky power bill Maybe a trickle Chris has been trying out Meshtastic, which is based on LoRa. Check out Jeff Geerling’s video for a good overview. meshtastic subreddit People posting about airplanes flying overhead (example post) like ham radio contacts Meshmap

Chris shares his recent house moving adventures, including tips for organizing a new lab with smart storage solutions. He discusses the excitement of transitioning his hardware project to open source and dives into the design challenges of a new microcontroller. The impact of cyber threats on tech companies emerges as a hot topic, along with the struggles of evolving battery technologies for home systems. Additionally, the duo examines the ongoing tech industry layoffs and legal issues, mixing humor with serious insights.

Shawn Hymel, an educator and former Developer Relations at Edge Impulse, shares his exciting transition to creating full-time courses on electronics and 3D printing. He delves into the intricacies of using FreeCAD, emphasizing the challenges beginners face. The conversation shifts to machine learning, breaking down concepts like neural networks and their practical applications. Shawn's vision for innovative educational content shines through, highlighting the importance of foundational skills in navigating today’s tech landscape.

Murphy More efficient with cooled panels Battery storage solution Server rack batteries Chris has been doing hardware Livestreams Geofence n8n, Similar to Zapier, IFTTT Home assistant EE Grad wants some insight on new tech https://4dsystems.com.au/ Scott Williams of Xentronix recorded with Dave and then Chris Saw at Electronex My Cousin Vinny Embedded World North America is happening in Austin in October. There is a vendor map now. Voltnuts Open source book Tiny Tapeout Tantalum Caps from AliExpress What’s next for ASML Ben Krasnow printing PCB traces again

Matthias Balwierz, also known as Bitluni, is a tech innovator famed for his MIDI pedals and video generation. He shares insights on lifelong learning in electronics and the significance of community. The conversation dives into fascinating topics like LED walls, sonar scanning technology, and FPGA advancements. Matthias touches on his projects, including the Browser assembler and the blend of art and technology in the demo scene. He also discusses challenges in memory management and the accessibility of DIY electronics through platforms like Tiny Tape Out.