Macrofab Engineering Podcast

Espress-ify? Designing Products Around the ESP-32 Platform. Guests Zapp Chief Bling Officer (CBO) at AND!XOR During his limited free time he writes vulnerable C code, dabbles in Kicad, and trolls Arduino bot accounts on Twitter Never been seen at the same time and place as Batman...But then again, neither has Stephen Hyr0n A button pusher, easily replaced by a thousand monkeys with a thousand laptops, but manages to crank out firmware and hacker puzzles If you’re reading this statement, he already has root access to your computer We have had Zapp and Hyr0n on the podcast before. Check out MEP EP#69: Incognito Mode and MEP EP#109 Arduino, The Gateway Drug To #BadgeLife. Topics Hyr0n’s Theremin Arduino bot accounts? Quick Recap on DEF CON 26 and the Bender AND!XOR Badge Engineering Process behind badge design idea -> thing Come up with all the ideas and Venn Diagram the hardware needed to enable those ideas Espressif ESP32 Pushing it to the limit Spec sheet thots "oh shit, nice, lots of ra

System-In-Package Platforms Gene Frantz - Chief Technology Officer for Octavo Systems One of the founders and the visionary behind Octavo Systems Professor in the Practice at Rice University in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Was the Principal Technology Fellow at Texas Instruments where he built a career finding new opportunities and building new businesses to leverage TI’s DSP technology Holds 48 patents and has written over 100 papers/articles and presents at conferences around the globe Has a BSEE from the University of Central Florida, a MSEE from Southern Methodist University, and a MBA from Texas Tech University Erik Welsh - Applications and Systems Manager for Octavo Systems Has over 16 years of industry experience designing hardware and software systems, including 11 years at Texas Instruments Supported hundreds of developers bringing embedded systems quickly to market Simplifying complex systems is a passion and mentors engineers developing embedded Linux systems Developed

Supply Chain Conspiracy Securities Misha Govshteyn CEO of MacroFab Founder of Alert Logic Christopher Church Founder & CPO of MacroFab Founder of Dynamic Perception Co-Founder/Chief Architect at Alert Logic Chris was on a previous MEP episode about the recent Chinese tariffs Supply chain hardware and software security This topic spurs from recent allegations from bloomberg about the possibility of a hardware supply chain infiltration in Super Micro Computer Inc, which may cause security concerns for servers owned by Amazon, Apple, and Facebook Underlying premise of the alleged hardware hack What is the general structure of intelligence agencies that makes something like this probable or possible? Existing public cases that are similar Is this hack even technically feasible? What impact should this have on our supply chain decisions? Visit our Slack Channel and join the conversation in between episodes and please review us, wherever you listen (PodcastAddict, iTunes). It helps this show stay

It Depends – An In Depth Look at MLCCs with James Lewis James Lewis Our guest this week may or may not be an Engineer or may or may not have Hair! James Lewis’ passion for teaching non-engineers has led to him to create the Bald Engineer Blog and the AddOhms video tutorial series With 15 years of experience in electronics, marketing, sales, and teaching James boils seemingly difficult concepts down to the core, so that anyone can learn what they need to finish that next great project Worked at Agilent as an FAE for oscilloscopes (for about 10 years), then as an FAE and marketing at KEMET for about 7 years Now working as oscilloscope product manager at Rohde and Schwarz MLCC - Multi - Layer Ceramic Capacitors Where did all the MLCCs go? Looking back, it was obvious we were headed towards a shortage but companies didn’t see it coming What are they? Common uses? 4 ways Ceramics lose capacitance Temperature Tolerance DC Bias Aging effect What to consider when choosing an alternative dielectric/techn

The Genesis of My Bill Of Materials Parker RTL SDR functional setup? RTL-FM Seems to work fine for FM stuff AM works in direct sampling mode but I can’t seem to get that to work with RTL-FM Upconverter needed? Auto switching signals? RTL_FM also does not support stereo sound Might need a new option? R820T P7K5 Software Defined Radio? KiCad User improvements for MacroFab in the future KiCad Python API has awful documentation Particle Spectra Conference Workshops for IoT hardware and software MEP EP#122: Brandon Satrom and the LANoT Stephen Vox in a box tester layout is complete. Will order tonight May use this to also develop a preamp for a friends leslie rotary cabinet R.F.O. Parallax Propeller 2 Soon? Production samples work! Changes from First Prop 80Mhz -> 180Mhz 32 -> 64 I/O Hardware peripherals Built in Debugger Preliminary Specifications and Datasheet Ken Gracey  and Chip Gracey on the Podcast? Luke Robertson from the Slack Channel How do you search for tec

Breaking Bad Taps Parker Diagnosing power drops in the Wagon RTL SDR update? RTL-SDR for the Raspberry Pi Maybe a Live twitch session with some seasoned Python / SDR Peeps? Wrote about PCB Stackups for the MacroFab knowledge base Stephen Vox in a Box Power supply and Power amp have schematics Test Box Design for the power supply and power amp R.F.O.   SQFMI Leaks new project #Watchy E-ink, ESP32 based, Accelerometer, 25 day battery life, Arduino support, and Open Source Productivity, Unfinished Projects, and Letting Go Steven Dufresne wrote this article for Hack A Day Doing Only The Interesting Parts Getting Lost on a Tangent Broken Taps Suck… Have you ever broken a tap? What is your method for removal? Raspberry pi development Pi-top? Visit our Slack Channel and join the conversation in between episodes and please review us, wherever you listen (PodcastAddict, iTunes). It helps this show stay visible and helps new listeners find us.Tags: #Watchy, Breaking Bad Taps, Brea

MacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED – MEP FavoriteWe would like to thank everyone that entered into the MacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED Sponsored by Mouser Electronics. The winner for the Pragmatic Blinky was Dillon with the Disintegrated LM3909 – 1.5V LED Flasher. The winner for the Most Complicated Blink was Paul Gallagher with The Bouncy Thief LED Blinking Machine. And The winner for the Wearable blink was Gerben with the Led eyelashes. MacroFab Engineering Podcast Favorite discussion Winner : Bobricius with the Solar-powered flashing LED heart pendant PCB coil Stephen TPS4021 4.5-V to 52-V Input Current Mode Boost Controller PMP8621 TI app note for doing an 18V to 300V@ 10mA supply Datasheet issues Two dimension drawings? The thermal pad - What do you connect it to? TPA3116 - 30W from an 18V supply R.F.O. RE: Simulation talk from last week David Patterson emailed in and suggested HyperLynx Design Rule Checking (DRC) RE: Jeep Wagoneer Project Brian Gosney emailed in abou

Vector Simulations for Samsung CapacitorsBefore we get started I would like to thank everyone that entered into the MacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED Sponsored by Mouser Electronics. The judges are going through the entries this week and we will announce the winners on the blog and typical social media locations on September 17th, 2018. Stephen and Parker will announce the winners of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast Favorite on the next episode 138. Stephen Both Introduction and Design Posts for the uTracer are live on AnalogEng.com Vectrex Modding the internals to display synthesizer "sounds" Vectrex Service Manual Parker Software Defined Radio update Python on the Raspberry Pi talking to Arduino R.F.O. Simulation of circuits Do you use it? Should engineers do more simulations? uConfig KiCAD Schematic Symbols from PDFs Samsung Caps? Counterfeit parts rampant? James Lewis from Slack - “Established brand name, new to the market, and famous for being the cheapest. It’s a thief’s d

Classy NASCAR Badgelife Parker Wagon Chime Module Experimented with brake clean and that seemed to not remove the finish Any other suggestions? Wagon Powered Mirror Module Schematic complete and Board laid out Used DRV8872 motor drives SOIC-8 style package instead of SO-36 of the BTM7742G Just another project to work on Raspberry Pi - RTL SDR radio Wood front panel Tube preamp that runs off of 12V Touch VFD? Stephen uTracer blog post by the Designer New blog: Analogeng.com Hickok 5055 power supply RFO How we built a connected custom PCB badge for the Kentucky Derby Stephen's Counterfeit Capacitor Problem Capacitance Multiplier Video Stephen used this technique before Brandon Drury asks “What do we think of engineering paper that is green and looks exactly like graphing paper...but isn't. All my professors require it this semesters and I'm exceptionally fond of you and Stephen making fun of your respective academic institutions. Ignore my request at your peril/benefit.” From the

The Hamster That Chirps Parker Wagon Chime module Two ICS MC14001B MC14069 Interesting metal can for a speaker module Two transistors in a push pull configuration Replaced electrolytic caps and it kinda functions Powered Mirror Circuit RKJXT1F42001 BTM7752G Stephen uTracer complete! Cleaner signals? Lessons learned Things Stephen would do different if he could RFO Craig Rettew askes: “Cost comparison between 2 layer and 4 layer boards. Are 2 layer much cheaper? Would a 4 layer board allow for a smaller board area vs 2 layer to make up for cost?” Visit our Slack Channel and join the conversation in between episodes and please review us, wherever you listen (PodcastAddict, iTunes). It helps this show stay visible and helps new listeners find us.Tags: BTM7752G, Chime Module, electronics podcast, MacroFab, macrofab engineering podcast, MC14001B, MC14069, MEP, RKJXT1F42001, uTracer, Wagon  

Injection Molded Enclosure Design with John Teel John Teel Founder of Predictable Designs, a company which helps startups, makers, and small companies develop new electronic products Previously, John was on Episode 106 of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast where John spoke about making the product development process as predictable as possible Injection Molding Enclosure Design What is the general process of injection molding? Challenges of Injection Molding: Why does it have this “mystic” aura around it? Designing enclosures for injection molding? Difference between designing for 3D printing and Injection molding What should you look for if you need to get a design done correctly What files will I need to have created? Do I design the mold or does someone else? Design is done. Who do I look for to get my design built? What questions should I have answered before contacting someone? Who do I talk to to get it done? How do I find a manufacturer locally or overseas? Who owns the mold? Should I go with

Tales From an Electrical Engineer - Ideas on Mechanical DesignParker Building the electronics for the Thermal Detonator Arduino Nano LM386 amplifier PinHeck REV8 update! PCM5122 moving on PCB Fabricating a rear window wiper for the Wagon Forum post on modifying a Dodge Durango rear wiper motor Stephen uTracer PCB arrived STM32 Microcontroller STM32CubeMX System Workbench for STM32 NUCLEO-L476RG RFO MacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED Sponsored by Mouser Electronics Have entries already! The Bouncy Thief LED Blinking Machine by Paul Gallagher A simple countdown timer by CDM Disintegrated LM3909 by Dillon Check out all the projects submitted to the contest by checking this link Electrical Engineering phone applications Bubble level Calc-P Cutter Color Detector Sound Meter Function generator FFT Ask Hackaday: Is There a Common Mechanical Parts Library? Visit our Slack Channel and join the conversation in between episodes and please review us, wherever you listen (PodcastAddict, i

Does not respond after opening LOUD?MacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED Sponsored by Mouser Electronics More information can be found on the MacroFab Blog Get your blink on! Parker MEP SAO was completed and an article was written about it MAX6682 breakout board working Time to finish the Jeep MCU board? Wagon skid plate complete Stephen uTracer PCB finished Update on uTracer enclosure printing? RFO Learn FPGA Fast with Hackaday’s FPGA Boot Camp FPGA Bootcamp Al Williams is our Speaker at this months Hardware meetup in Houston Williams was on the MacroFab Engineering Podcast episodes #94 and #57 Pebble watches get reborn? Rebble.io Project to revitalize pebble watches IoT functioality Operation manual improper English translations   Parker's new inexpensive radio for the Wagon has an interesting instruction manual Visit our Slack Channel and join the conversation in between episodes and please review us, wherever you listen (PodcastAddict, iTunes). It helps this show stay visible and

Scott Swaaley and MAKESafe Tools Scott Swaaley Electrical Engineer from California Polytechnic State University Started his career rewiring 18th century tall ships Designed electrical systems for hospitals and data centers before becoming a specialist in renewable energy economics Had a career in teaching and working with students in makerspaces Founder of MAKESafe Tools   YouTube Channels Scott likes Clickspring This Old Tony What is MAKESafe Tools? Bringing industrial-level safety to everyday shop tools with an easy to install plug and play device Design Challenges? High power A/C switching DC Isolation from the A/C side Triacs and Hybrid relays Physical board layout considerations Documentaries and other links Most Likely To Succeed Beyond Measure Makerspace work Visit our Slack Channel and join the conversation in between episodes and please review us, wherever you listen (PodcastAddict, iTunes). It helps this show stay visible and helps new listeners find us.Tags: A/C, Clickspring,

Free Form Jazz Welding Chris Gammel over at The Amp Hour gave the MacroFab Engineering Podcast a shout out for our podcast with Chris Church for our Tariff discussion The Amp Hour also hit episode 400! Congrats! Parker MEP SAO Update Software almost complete What kind of LED patterns should I implement? Wagon skid plate welding Stephen uTracer update CNC work on the enclosure Feed rate and speed calculations R.F.O. Return of RadioShack? HobbyTown will start having a RadioShack Express inside Will be electrical components only but may have cell phone repair as well Better for Hobbytown to team up with Adafruit or Sparkfun? Decimis from the Slack Channel asks A lot of times on the MEP, you guys mention what college did not teach you. So not counting the actual degree, do you feel that going to a college is absolutely necessary to learn what you guys know now or is collage nothing more than just a structured way of learning what can be learned elsewhere through personal study, research

Trebuchet VS Opamps Parker Connectors for the Jeep PCM where a perfect match! P/Ns Black Connector: 4-1437290-5 White Connector: 4-1437290-6 Grey Connector: 4-1437290-7 Still waiting on the MAX6682 breakout board GitHub Repo Ordered some MEP Shitty Add-Ons Zapp and Hyron ordered a set MEP EP#69: Incognito Mode MEP EP#109: Arduino, The Gateway Drug To #BadgeLife Brandon Satrom ordered one MEP EP#122: Brandon Satrom and the LANoT A/C control module repair for the Wagon A/C compressor was bypassed 2N4403 was all exploded Reverse engineered the layout of the module Thanks to Tom Anderson who rewrote the schematic!   Stephen Mesa-Boogie Mark IV schematic R.F.O. KiCad 5 has been released Molex Connector 1719821142 Nano-Pitch I/O 42 pins 0.5A per pin Only 50 mating cycles Decimis from Slack Channel How would you make a device that could shoot flies out of the air? When I hear a fly buzzing around, I find it highly annoying and they keep getting stuck in one room at work. Then

Git on the Darwin Wagon Parker MEP Shitty Add-On EFM8SB10F2G based like the MacroWatch V2 15 addressable channels of LED blinking 23 Red 0603 LEDs in total Connectors for the Jeep PCM PCM connector locks are starting to break due to age Found an eBay auction with replacement connectors for sale that had part numbers printed on the connectors P/N Black Connector: 4-1437290-5 White Connector: 4-1437290-6 Grey Connector: 4-1437290-7 Update on the Wagon Carburetor rebuild Currently in a power steering pump saga Removing the pulley off the pump is a pain Stephen uTracer update Enclosure arrived: P/N 1441-16BK3CWW Layout of the PCB is in progress Tormach 770 Mill Mimaki ujf-3042 printer Switcher 12V P/N: VXO78012-1000 R.F.O. Maxim IC is in the MCU game now MAX32652 DARWIN: A New Breed of MCU, Built for the Evolving IoT Arm Cortex-M4 with FPU-Based Microcontroller Revision control for Hardware Github Keeping track of changes Upverter has a histogram feature Cadlab.io Visit

Tariff Impacts with Chris Church Chris Church The Chief Product Officer of MacroFab Founded MacroFab along with Parker Recent article Decoding Tariff Impacts on US Electronics Manufacturing What kind of items in the Tariff list will impact US Electronics Manufacturing? Passives, actives excluding ICs and diodes, mechanical components like switches, connectors, etc Assembled PCBs from China Shouldn’t see a huge impact from LEDs Short Term Impacts on the Market Pricing on most things won’t increase until existing stock gets depleted from inventory at US warehouses Initial impacts will be slightly increasing prices, potentially rapidly moving stock as buyers look to lock in current pricing Overall, we’re predicting from about 2%-10% increase in COGS for most electronics produced in the US until all ICs are included, at which point the impact to COGS will increase dramatically Long Term Impacts on the Market We’ll see more assembly shifting away from US to places like Mexico which have lower tari

Space Engineering Parker MAX6682 breakout board finished and ordered This is for the thermistors GitHub repo for the board files New Jeep, The Grande Wagoneer A/C doesn’t work as expected Found the FSM and Schematic Schematic for the A/C controls Page 31 Page 32 Schematic has four parts that control the A/C Compressor Evaporator thermistor Turns out this is a standard 5K NTC thermistor A/C temperature sensor Compressor Low Pressure Switch Standard part #4773763 Climate Control Box Stephen uTracer update Enclosure will be a Hammond Manufacturing 1441-16CWW uTracer PCB will be a daughter board attached to the relay control board Built in USB -> RS-232 RFO Spider silk microphone also senses slightest waft of air “most waft-able air movement sensor ever” 400V field, ~0.5V/Pa Research paper is behind a pay wall :/ Voltage Regulator heatsinks - when are they required? Maximum power dissipation is determined by the maximum junction temperature rating, the ambient temper

The Open Source Episode with Robert Keim Robert Keim A graduate from the University of California of San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering Technical Director for All About Circuits Extensive experience in a wide variety of fields, including Analog design Firmware development Digital signal processing Power management Motor control Digital camera design Low-noise PCB layout System integration Designing for harsh environments Neural networks Software-defined radios Role of open source information in the EE community What does Open Source mean to you? Robert: Knowledge, that originates from labor and is freely available. True acquisition of knowledge. Parker: A tool for learning - seeing how things were made and creating your own version Stephen:  More emphasis on knowledge and understanding vs the execution Do you think that open source projects can be a long term financial success, or are they a social movement and more about bringing knowledge and functionality to the commun