Beyond the Microchip

Episode 024 - Microcontrollers, Makers, and the DIY Movement; Part 2-of-2

Arduino.
Founded in Italy twenty years ago by a group of visionary educators and engineers, Arduino was born out of a desire to democratize electronics and make it accessible to everyone. Named after a bar in Ivrea, the platform started with hand-assembled circuit boards for students at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea (IDII). The founders—Massimo Banzi, David Cuartielles, David Mellis, Tom Igoe, and Gianluca Martino—made key decisions to keep the hardware and software open-source, ensuring that anyone could learn, create, and innovate.
 
The result is… a world where anyone, regardless of their technical background, can create electronic projects that once seemed out of reach. This is the world that Arduino has made possible.
 
The significance of Arduino extends far beyond its technical specifications. It has lowered barriers of entry, making electronics affordable and accessible. Its massive open-source community fosters sharing and innovation, sparking the Maker movement and encouraging creation over consumption. Arduino has become a platform, bridging disciplines like art, design, engineering, and computer science, and enabling rapid prototyping. Its impact is felt in education, product development, and the philosophy of technology accessibility.
 
Arduino has inspired a global movement, empowering hobbyists, students, artists, and professionals to bring their ideas
to life. It has influenced modern IoT and smart devices, proving that with the right tools, anyone can be an innovator.
Arduino's choice of the AVR ATmega168 and later the ATmega328P microcontrollers was pivotal. These microcontrollers offered a balance of performance, cost, and ease of use, featuring 8-bit architecture, flash memory, SRAM, EEPROM, and built-in peripherals like timers, ADC, PWM, UART, SPI, and I2C. This made them ideal for a wide range of applications, from simple projects to complex prototypes.
 
What happens next is anybody’s guess, but the frontiers spawned by the Shockley’s and Moore’s of the world, with their advanced educations and access to vast amounts of capital, are giving way to the kid in their bedroom, tinkering with a board and a laptop, intent on building a thing – turning their imagination into reality through simple advancements in integrated circuits, sensors, and open-source software.
 
How can Microchip Technology fuel the ethos of the Do-It-Yourself Maker movement?

Episode 024 - Microcontrollers, Makers, and the DIY Movement; Part 1-of-2

Arduino.
Founded in Italy twenty years ago by a group of visionary educators and engineers, Arduino was born out of a desire to democratize electronics and make it accessible to everyone. Named after a bar in Ivrea, the platform started with hand-assembled circuit boards for students at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea (IDII). The founders—Massimo Banzi, David Cuartielles, David Mellis, Tom Igoe, and Gianluca Martino—made key decisions to keep the hardware and software open-source, ensuring that anyone could learn, create, and innovate.
 
The result is… a world where anyone, regardless of their technical background, can create electronic projects that once seemed out of reach. This is the world that Arduino has made possible.
 
The significance of Arduino extends far beyond its technical specifications. It has lowered barriers of entry, making electronics affordable and accessible. Its massive open-source community fosters sharing and innovation, sparking the Maker movement and encouraging creation over consumption. Arduino has become a platform, bridging disciplines like art, design, engineering, and computer science, and enabling rapid prototyping. Its impact is felt in education, product development, and the philosophy of technology accessibility.
 
Arduino has inspired a global movement, empowering hobbyists, students, artists, and professionals to bring their ideas
to life. It has influenced modern IoT and smart devices, proving that with the right tools, anyone can be an innovator.
Arduino's choice of the AVR ATmega168 and later the ATmega328P microcontrollers was pivotal. These microcontrollers offered a balance of performance, cost, and ease of use, featuring 8-bit architecture, flash memory, SRAM, EEPROM, and built-in peripherals like timers, ADC, PWM, UART, SPI, and I2C. This made them ideal for a wide range of applications, from simple projects to complex prototypes.
 
What happens next is anybody’s guess, but the frontiers spawned by the Shockley’s and Moore’s of the world, with their advanced educations and access to vast amounts of capital, are giving way to the kid in their bedroom, tinkering with a board and a laptop, intent on building a thing – turning their imagination into reality through simple advancements in integrated circuits, sensors, and open-source software.
 
How can Microchip Technology fuel the ethos of the Do-It-Yourself Maker movement?

Episode 023 - FIRST Robotics and Generational Influences in Engineering; part 2-of-2

The relationship between generations often shapes the trajectory of careers, with parents serving as role models, mentors, and sources of inspiration for their sons and daughters. Whether through direct guidance, inherited talent, or the values instilled during upbringing, the influence of one generation on the next can lead to extraordinary achievements. Across sports, entertainment, and politics, certain parent-child duos have exemplified how legacies are built and carried forward. Whether the Griffeys and Earnhardts in sports, the Douglases and Sheens in entertainment, or the Bushes and Adamses in politics, the bonds forged between generations can create lasting impact for the world. But that dynamic is not exclusive to blood, often shared interests in fields like robotics can forge relationships that last a lifetime.  
FIRST, F-I-R-S-T (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Kamen envisioned a program that would make STEM as exciting as sports, fostering innovation, teamwork, and leadership. The inaugural FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) was held in 1992 with 28 teams, challenging high school students to design, build, and program robots for competition. Over the years, FIRST expanded its programs to include groups of all ages. Today, FIRST serves hundreds of thousands of students annually across more than 100 countries, offering hands-on robotics challenges that emphasize creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Through partnerships with corporations, schools, and governments, FIRST has become a global movement, inspiring students to pursue STEM careers and shifting cultural perceptions to celebrate science and technology… alongside sports and entertainment. Here in Arizona, we have AZ FIRST, which is a chapter founded by Microchip CEO Steve Sanghi. Steve's journey of extending Kamen's vision started in 2002 as a regional organization supporting and promoting FIRST Robotics programs in Arizona. It serves as a hub for organizing events, securing resources, and encouraging collaboration among teams across the state. AZ FIRST hosts annual competitions, including the Arizona Regional for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), and works to expand access to STEM education through outreach and mentorship. One key part of Microchip’s involvement in AZ FIRST is the participation of its employees as mentors and advisors. In some cases, multiple generations of mentorship, like the story you’re about to hear today.
As we reflect on the profound impact of generational influence—whether through family legacies or initiatives like FIRST—it becomes clear that the future is shaped by the connections we make today. They remind us that success is not just about individual achievement; it’s about creating opportunities for those who come after.
Looking ahead, the call to action is simple yet powerful: find a way to engage with the next generation. Mentor, inspire, and invest in their potential. Whether through STEM programs, community outreach, or simply leading by example; by empowering young minds to dream big and equipping them with the tools to succeed, we ensure that innovation, leadership, and progress continue to thrive.
The future is bright, and it belongs to those who dare to build it.
 
How can Microchip Technology promote and strengthen these generational legacies?

Episode 023 - FIRST Robotics and Generational Influences in Engineering; part 1-of-2

The relationship between generations often shapes the trajectory of careers, with parents serving as role models, mentors, and sources of inspiration for their sons and daughters. Whether through direct guidance, inherited talent, or the values instilled during upbringing, the influence of one generation on the next can lead to extraordinary achievements. Across sports, entertainment, and politics, certain parent-child duos have exemplified how legacies are built and carried forward. Whether the Griffeys and Earnhardts in sports, the Douglases and Sheens in entertainment, or the Bushes and Adamses in politics, the bonds forged between generations can create lasting impact for the world. But that dynamic is not exclusive to blood, often shared interests in fields like robotics can forge relationships that last a lifetime.  
FIRST, F-I-R-S-T (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Kamen envisioned a program that would make STEM as exciting as sports, fostering innovation, teamwork, and leadership. The inaugural FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) was held in 1992 with 28 teams, challenging high school students to design, build, and program robots for competition. Over the years, FIRST expanded its programs to include groups of all ages. Today, FIRST serves hundreds of thousands of students annually across more than 100 countries, offering hands-on robotics challenges that emphasize creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Through partnerships with corporations, schools, and governments, FIRST has become a global movement, inspiring students to pursue STEM careers and shifting cultural perceptions to celebrate science and technology… alongside sports and entertainment. Here in Arizona, we have AZ FIRST, which is a chapter founded by Microchip CEO Steve Sanghi. Steve's journey of extending Kamen's vision started in 2002 as a regional organization supporting and promoting FIRST Robotics programs in Arizona. It serves as a hub for organizing events, securing resources, and encouraging collaboration among teams across the state. AZ FIRST hosts annual competitions, including the Arizona Regional for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), and works to expand access to STEM education through outreach and mentorship. One key part of Microchip’s involvement in AZ FIRST is the participation of its employees as mentors and advisors. In some cases, multiple generations of mentorship, like the story you’re about to hear today.
As we reflect on the profound impact of generational influence—whether through family legacies or initiatives like FIRST—it becomes clear that the future is shaped by the connections we make today. They remind us that success is not just about individual achievement; it’s about creating opportunities for those who come after.
Looking ahead, the call to action is simple yet powerful: find a way to engage with the next generation. Mentor, inspire, and invest in their potential. Whether through STEM programs, community outreach, or simply leading by example; by empowering young minds to dream big and equipping them with the tools to succeed, we ensure that innovation, leadership, and progress continue to thrive.
The future is bright, and it belongs to those who dare to build it.
 
How can Microchip Technology promote and strengthen these generational legacies?
 

Episode 022 - Space Power and the Greatest Selfie Ever Taken

You’ve probably seen the photo.
 
"Earthrise" is one of the most significant photographs in the history of human civilization, and certainly the most iconic in space exploration. Taken by astronaut William Anders during the Apollo 8 mission, the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon, on December 24, 1968, this photograph captured the imagination of the world.
 
The image itself is remarkably simple, yet its impact was immediate and profound. It shows the Earth rising above the lunar horizon, with our planet's blue and white colors standing out against the stark, barren surface of the Moon, all surrounded by the black vacuum of space. Our little blue dot, floating in the vastness of the cosmos.
 
Fast forward to today, and we have thousands of satellites in orbit, looking back at us. These satellites perform a variety of critical tasks, from positioning, navigation, and timing to telecommunications. But above all else, they continue the legacy of "Earthrise" by keeping an eye on our planet.
 
Satellites today are active participants in managing and understanding our planet, monitoring weather, ocean currents, and topographical changes. They track the health of coral reefs, They play crucial roles in agriculture by predicting crop yields, in urban development by aiding city planners, and in disaster response by providing real-time data on natural catastrophes. Additionally, satellites are instrumental in climate science, measuring greenhouse gas concentrations, monitoring polar ice caps, and tracking health of coral reefs. They also contribute to conservation efforts by tracking animal migrations and monitoring endangered species.    —essentially, they take selfies of Earth.
 
Next time you open up Google Earth or a similar maps application, you’re seeing the result of this advanced photographic technology. But unlike the modified Hasselblad camera used by Anders, today's satellites are far more sophisticated, and their power requirements are much more complex. The first lunar module was famously less powerful than the smartphones we carry in our pockets. When our phones run out of battery, we simply plug them into the wall and wait for recharge.
 
Satellites, however, face a different challenge entirely.
 
Space power design is a daunting task. Here on Earth, we can dispatch a service technician to fix issues as they arise. Up there, satellites are on their own. This is where advanced power management and delivery systems come into play, and the need for radiation-tolerant components qualified for space applications becomes critical. These systems must capture energy from solar panels and distribute it efficiently to each function within the spacecraft, often at ever-increasing voltages. There’s no room for error; the components need to be installed and designed right the first time.
 
In sum, satellites have evolved from simple observational tools to complex systems that provide critical data for a wide range of applications, all aimed at making our lives better and our planet more sustainable. As we continue to push the boundaries of what these incredible machines can do, the importance of reliable and efficient power management systems cannot be overstated.
 
How can Microchip Technology power and drive the evolution of satellite technology?
 
Links from the episode:
Rad-Hard MOSFET landing page - Radiation-Hardened Power MOSFETs | Microchip Technology
Space brochure - Space Solutions Brochure
 
Guest: Oscar Mansilla

Episode 021 - Greenwashing, Last Mile Power and Power-over-Ethernet

The term "greenwashing" was coined back in 1983 by environmentalist Jay Westerfeld while surfing in Fiji. He later published an essay in 1986 titled "It All Comes Out in the Greenwash," highlighting how companies were making misleading claims about their environmental practices. Fast forward to today, greenwashing has become a sophisticated art form and big business, with some of the world's largest corporations caught in the act.
 
Whether through misleading marketing in examples like Volkswagen, BP, Nestle, and Fiji Water, or in financial manipulation used by hedge funds and inconsistency among ratings agencies, it’s clear the line between genuine sustainability and greenwashing can often be blurred.
 
One bright spot in the haze is the emergence of modern building efficiency standards that are re-imagining actual sustainability goals.
Standards like LEED, BREEAM, Net Zero Energy Building, and the Living Building Challenge set rigorous criteria for energy efficiency, water conservation, and overall environmental impact.
These standards all contribute to a major challenge for sustainability: last-mile power.
 
"Last mile power" refers to the final stage of the electricity delivery process from the power distribution network to the end user, such as homes, businesses, and other facilities. This term is borrowed from telecommunications, where "last mile" describes the final leg of the network that delivers services to customers. In the context of power delivery, it involves the infrastructure and technologies that ensure electricity reaches its final destination efficiently and reliably.
 
Greenfield construction projects benefit from these new standards where everything can be designed from scratch, but what about brownfield solutions for the last mile?
 
That’s where modern technology solutions like power-over-ethernet, or PoE, can make a real impact on efficiency and reliability without resorting to manipulation to achieve sustainability targets. Where simple modifications using existing infrastructure can make a big impact. 
 
How can Microchip Technology prevent greenwashing through real, tangible sustainability solutions?
 
Links from the episode:
www.microchip/com/poe
https://www.thesinclairhotel.com/technology 
 
Guests: 
Alan Jay Zwiren

Episode 020 - Silicon Carbide and it’s positive impact on efficiency of heat pumps

 
Imagine living in complete comfort - a home that's perfectly warm in winter and delightfully cool in summer, all while your energy bills shrink and your carbon footprint fades. This isn't just a dream; it's what every homeowner and business owner wants: A solution that aligns personal comfort with planetary wellbeing, while keeping more money in their pockets.
But here's the challenge we face: traditional heating and cooling systems, which most homes still rely on, are like hungry giants, devouring energy and money with remarkable inefficiency. Gas furnaces burn through fossil fuels, while conventional air conditioners strain electrical grids during peak seasons, especially here in the Phoenix desert.
As utility costs soar and climate concerns mount, homeowners find themselves caught between comfort and conscience, between their monthly bills and their environmental impact.
The status quo isn't just expensive - it's unsustainable.
Enter the heat pump - nature's answer to this modern dilemma. Unlike traditional systems that generate heat through energy-intensive processes, heat pumps perform an elegant dance with natural temperature gradients. They simply move heat from where it isn't wanted to where it is, like a skilled conductor directing an orchestra of comfort. In summer, they guide warm air out of your home; in winter, they extract heat from the outdoor air (yes, even in cold climates) and channel it inside.
This natural approach yields remarkable results. For every unit of electricity consumed, heat pumps generate four to five units of heating or cooling energy - an efficiency rate that makes traditional systems look like gas-guzzling relics. They come in various forms: air-source pumps offer an accessible entry point, while geothermal systems tap into the earth's constant temperatures for unmatched efficiency. Water-source variants provide another alternative for homes near suitable water bodies.
The transformation is already underway.
In the United States, heat pump installations have surpassed traditional gas furnaces in new construction, signaling a shift in how we think about home comfort. As more homeowners discover that they can save money while saving the planet, the momentum only grows.
And here's where the story gets even better: the latest generation of heat pumps, powered by silicon carbide technology, pushes these efficiency boundaries even further.
In a world grappling with climate change and rising energy costs, heat pumps offer more than just a solution - they provide a path forward. They remind us that sometimes the most powerful answers are the ones that work in harmony with nature, proving that comfort, conscience, and cost savings can coexist beautifully under one roof.
 
How can Microchip Technology accelerate the benefits of Heat Pump technology to help humans achieve complete comfort?
 
Links from the episode:
www.microchip.com/sic 
 
Guests: 
Nitesh Satheesh

Episode 019 - Stellar Solutions: Space-Inspired Tech in Our Everyday Lives; part 2-of-2

“We hold patents on a few gadgets we confiscated from visitors. Velcro, microwave ovens, liposuction.”
- Tommy Lee Jones as "K", describing how the Men in Black fund their exploits
Very amusing concept for science fiction, but the boundary between space exploration and everyday life blurs in reality, where innovations born in the cold vacuum of space find their way into our homes, transforming how we live and work.
This is the story of how necessity in the cosmos became the mother of invention on Earth.
Picture working in an environment where temperatures swing from a scorching +250°F in direct sunlight to a bone-chilling -250°F in the shade, where traditional lubricants freeze or evaporate, and where the absence of air means no natural cooling. The solutions developed for these extreme conditions would eventually trickle down to our garages and workshops, spawning not just the cordless drill but an entire family of battery-powered tools that have liberated us from the tyranny of power cords.
But the story doesn't end there.
These cosmic hand-me-downs represent more than just clever adaptations - they're testament to human ingenuity under the most extreme conditions imaginable. When engineers had to solve problems where failure wasn't an option, up there, they created solutions so robust and versatile that they transformed life, down here, on Earth.
Today, as we peer into our garages or kitchen cabinets, we might not immediately see the connection to space exploration. But with each press of the microwave button or squeeze of a drill trigger, we're benefiting from a legacy of innovation that began with humanity's greatest adventure. These everyday tools carry within them the DNA of space exploration, reminding us that sometimes the most practical solutions come from the most extraordinary challenges.
 
How does Microchip Technology empower innovation up there, so we can enjoy it down here?
 
This is part 2 of a two-part episode.
 
Links from the episode:
https://www.microchip.com/space
 
Guests: 
Eli Kawam
Bill Dillard

Episode 019 - Stellar Solutions: Space-Inspired Tech in Our Everyday Lives; part 1-of-2

“We hold patents on a few gadgets we confiscated from visitors. Velcro, microwave ovens, liposuction.”
- Tommy Lee Jones as "K", describing how the Men in Black fund their exploits
Very amusing concept for science fiction, but the boundary between space exploration and everyday life blurs in reality, where innovations born in the cold vacuum of space find their way into our homes, transforming how we live and work.
This is the story of how necessity in the cosmos became the mother of invention on Earth.
Picture working in an environment where temperatures swing from a scorching +250°F in direct sunlight to a bone-chilling -250°F in the shade, where traditional lubricants freeze or evaporate, and where the absence of air means no natural cooling. The solutions developed for these extreme conditions would eventually trickle down to our garages and workshops, spawning not just the cordless drill but an entire family of battery-powered tools that have liberated us from the tyranny of power cords.
But the story doesn't end there.
These cosmic hand-me-downs represent more than just clever adaptations - they're testament to human ingenuity under the most extreme conditions imaginable. When engineers had to solve problems where failure wasn't an option, up there, they created solutions so robust and versatile that they transformed life, down here, on Earth.
Today, as we peer into our garages or kitchen cabinets, we might not immediately see the connection to space exploration. But with each press of the microwave button or squeeze of a drill trigger, we're benefiting from a legacy of innovation that began with humanity's greatest adventure. These everyday tools carry within them the DNA of space exploration, reminding us that sometimes the most practical solutions come from the most extraordinary challenges.
 
How does Microchip Technology empower innovation up there, so we can enjoy it down here?
 
This is part 1 of a two-part episode.
 
Links from the episode:
https://www.microchip.com/space
 
Guests: 
Eli Kawam
Bill Dillard

Episode 018 - Silicon Carbide and it’s positive impact on energy efficiency of data centers

Our insatiable appetite for information has gone digital. Once upon a time, knowledge seekers ventured into libraries, thumbing through card catalogs and dusty volumes. Today, we simply speak our questions in the form of a prompt, and artificial minds spring to life with answers. But this convenience comes with a hidden cost - one measured in terawatts.
In the sprawling datacenters that power our AI revolution, rows upon rows of servers hum with activity, each query demanding its share of electricity. These digital brains, built on advanced processing chips from companies with trillion-dollar valuations on the stock market, consume power at rates that would make earlier computers blush.
Tech giants like the “Magnificent 7” aren't waiting for solutions - they're creating them. Their "Bring Your Own Energy" approach, investing in nuclear power after years of renewable energy projects, signals a recognition that our digital future requires more than just solar panels and wind turbines.
The mathematics of our energy future is both simple and staggering. Current datacenter power supplies, even those meeting the stringent 80 Plus Titanium standard with 90% efficiency, still waste enough energy to power small cities. Every percentage point of efficiency gained or lost has massive implications for our planet and our pockets.
Enter silicon carbide, a material that promises to revolutionize how we handle power. Like a master conductor leading an orchestra, silicon carbide manages electricity with unprecedented precision and efficiency. Whether it's guiding power from a nuclear plant through an omnidirectional grid or converting it for use in a datacenter server rack, this remarkable semiconductor reduces waste at every step.
Think of the power grid as a vast river system. Traditional materials are like leaky canals, losing precious energy along the way. Silicon carbide creates superhighways for electricity, ensuring more power reaches its destination. In the world of datacenters, where every watt counts, this efficiency isn't just an improvement - it's a necessity.
As we stand at this crossroads of digital transformation and energy demand, the path forward becomes clear. The answer isn't just about generating more power - it's about using it more intelligently. Silicon carbide technology offers us a way to quench our growing thirst for energy without draining our resources dry.
The future we're building, with its artificial intelligence at the helm, demands power on an unprecedented scale. But with innovations like silicon carbide leading the charge, we're not just facing this challenge - we're transforming it into an opportunity for a more efficient, sustainable world.
 
How can Microchip Technology help prepare us for the future energy demands data centers and AI will require?
 
Links from the episode:
www.microchip.com/sic 
 
Guest:
Nitesh Satheesh