Inside Electronics

Packing Large AI Into Small Embedded Systems

Not every microcontroller can handle artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) chores. Simplifying the models is one way to squeeze algorithms into a more compact embedded compute engine. Another way is to pair it with an AI accelerator like Femtosense’s Sparse Processing Unit (SPU) SPU-001 and take advantage of sparsity in AI/ML models.
In this episode, Sam Fok, CEO at Femtosense, talks about AI/ML on the edge, the company's dual sparsity design, and how the small, low power SPU-001 can augment a host processor. 

Autonomous Navigation in an Uncertain World

As navigation becomes increasingly vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, or complete denial, military forces operating in contested environments face significant challenges, not just in navigation, but in coordination, safety, and mission success. ANELLO Photonics has developed an innovative Silicon Photonics Optical Gyroscope (SiPhOG) to serve autonomous vehicles using silicon photonics, accelerometers, and gyroscopes for accurate and reliable positioning and navigation.

Design Essentials for Robust Systems

In this episode, we talk to Jerry Twomey, an engineering consultant with a deep background in electronics design, medical devices, electro-mechanical systems, and board-level integrated circuits. He is the author of the book “Applied Embedded Electronics – Design Essentials for Robust Systems," a comprehensive reference that covers the design process from initial concept to final PCB, for all embedded system electronics.

Talking About Electronic Design with Mike Engelhardt

Mike Engelhardt is an American computer programmer, author, and entrepreneur who is renowned for developing the SPICE-based analog electronic circuit simulator computer software. Known for his wide-brimmed hat and bow tie, Mike is the innovative mind behind Qorvo’s simulator, QSPICE, and is not just known for his technical acumen, but also for his often unconventional approach to engineering. In this podcast, we get to sit down with him and talk about electronics and engineering from his point of view. 

Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe with Precision Adaptive Optics

Penetrating deep space to unlock the secrets of the universe, the ESO Extremely Large Telescope uses adaptive optics to correct for atmospheric disturbances to extract more light, achieving higher-resolution imaging. 
Among the technologies required, Microgate provides the control systems that mechanically deform the mirror to manipulate the observed wavefront to correct for atmospheric disturbances and improve the image quality using contactless, linear voice-coil motors.

IMS 2025 is a Platform for Learning, Networking, and Collaborating

The 2025 IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S) International Microwave Symposium is taking place from the 15th to the 20th of June 2025 in San Francisco, California.
In this podcast, we talk to Jin Baines, the CEO of Mini-Circuits, and Wendy Shu, the CEO of Eravant, about the event and some of the opportunities it provides to visitors. 

Open Source and Software-Defined Vehicles

The Eclipse Foundation's Eclipse SDV Working Group supports an open source platform for software defined vehicles (SDV). This takes a lot of work from participating companies like Codethink.   
In this podcast, William Wong chats with Codethink’s President, John Ellis, about the challenges of using open source software in this arena.

Taking a Look at Machine Vision

Traditional vision systems based on cameras are really geared towards image storage, not image processing, and certainly don't detect motion, and you have to compare video frame-by-frame to figure out if something moves. In this episode, we talk to SiLC Technologies CEO, Dr. Mehdi Asghari, about the state of the art in machine vision and what the company is doing in that space. 

Axial Flux Motors Gain Traction in Diesel Hybrids

Electric motors play a key role in converting electrical power into motive power. This episode of Inside Electronics has Andy chatting with Turntide, a designer and manufacturer of axial flux motors, about the operating principles and optimal applications for AFMs, including diesel hybrids, tidal power generation, ship propulsion, and military use for land, sea and air.  

Neuromorphic Computing Delivers Low Power AI

Spiking neural networks (SNN) are an implementation of neuromorphic computing, an aspect of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). Neuromorphic computing emulates the operation of physical neurons like those found in the human brain.  
In this episode, Electronic Design’s Senior Content Director, Bill Wong, talks with Steven Brightfield, Chief Marketing Officer at Brainchip, about SNNs and their Akida platform.