MEP EP#26

Podcast Notes

Stephen has been working on making the copper buss bars for the SSPS Energon cube. See Figure 1. We calculated that the resistance of the copper buss bars is 0.00458 ohms or 4.58 mohm. Our measurements show 2.5 mohm. See Figure 2. The Macro Amp board is populated. Now the enclosure needs to be made. Stephen thinks he will use Parts Badger to make the mounting plate for the amp. Parker has been updating the MacroFab part libraries for Eagle and will move onto Diptrace soon. He also has been writing articles for eagle that will be coming out soon. Parker got USB 2.0 working on a Type C connector using the FTDI FT230X chip. Parker is working on a new layout to add to pre-existing designs which utilizes MacroFab's standard PCB specifications (5 mil trace width, 12 mil drill, 6 mill annular ring). Analog Devices is in the process of purchasing Linear Technology for $14.8 billion. We discuss what will happen to the datasheets and LT Spice. Avnet outbids Daetwyler to purchase Farnell for $691 million (the owner of Element 14 and supplier of the Raspberry pi). Parker presents his method of hacking Pokemon Go - tap into the data lines on the hardware and send the software phony GPS data. This would be a true hardware hack.

Special thanks to whixr over at Tymkrs for the intro and outro theme!