Specialized and/or Open Source Test Gear and Dev Boards - Vacation Videography Vorboten

Chris and Dave talk about all manner of test instrument, both specialized and open source. Also interest in moving big heavy machines, friends starting Kickstarters and innovation continuing into mid-life and beyond!

• Dave is back from his vacation driving around Australia! He got to visit "The Dish" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF3EnUzynhg
• Specialized equipment is often a mystery except to people in the field it was intended for.
  • Chris listed a Source Measure Unit and a Network Analyzer
  • Dave has been collecting Dynamic Signal Analyzers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwiZROj3SSI
  • What about you?
• Different geographic regions have different specialties.
• Chris has a new project using Variable Frequency Drives and AC Induction motors. They're amazing!
• Block diagrams show how much electronics are involved in modifying line level 3 phase signals (image courtesy TI.com)
• Even though it was discussed by Henry Ott when he was on the show and Bob Simpson when he was on the show, Chris didn't realize these are what powers a lot of the electric vehicles on the road.
• Chris will be giving a talk about all the open source tools and platforms that power his every day life. Check out this reddit thread for a listing of the tools.
• Ryan O'Hara will be doing a new project and will be using the stamp with The Amp Hour logo shown at the top of the episode.
• Jeri has launched her Kickstarter for the CastAR! It has already hit the funding goal and will continue to try and raise money.
• We'll have Jeri on the show as she gets towards the DfM portion.
• Dev kits are important for getting a jump start on your design and providing proof to your boss that you can get something done.
• Google Glass and Segway aren't useful in their intended ways...but have great niche utilizations.
• The new Adafruit Bluefruit board sends keyboard commands by pulling down a single pin. Very cool!
• Bluetooth 4.0 is useful because it allows you to abstract out iPhone hardware (and their closed ecosystem).
• People don't do anything useful after 35? Tons of successful people respond on Quora.
• Is innovation still possible in regular electronics?
• Next week on the show we'll have Vincent Himpe of Silicon Valley Garage, ask your questions for him on our subreddit. He sent Dave a huge box of awesome fab stuff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0WEx0Gwk1E