Piotr Esden-Tempski
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esden.net
Piotr Esden-Tempski
@esden.net
1.2K followers 130 following 160 posts
fediverse: @esden@chaos.social
Embedded Open-Source Hacker? Founder of 1BitSquared https://1bitsquared.com | Maintainer https://black-magic.org | https://icebreaker-fpga.org
#hardwarehackers #fpga #asic #embedded #risc-v
he/him
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esden.net
For Black Magic Probe v3 development, I designed a little breakout carrier. We will likely spend some quality time with a debugger hooked up to it so I think it will be a worthwhile. The SMT threaded inserts are really nice. I also 3D printed a base to keep the TH pins from scratching the table. ;)
Green Black Magic Probe v3.0 JTAG/SWD debugger and programmer with a built in GDB server. Mounted on top of a carrier board that provides a regular ARM Cortex debug connector and 0.1” pitch breakout pins for the debug lines and the AUX expansion connector. It also features a jumper to allow TPWR connection to the debug connector allowing the choice of how things are powered. A 3D rendering of the BMP and debug carrier board. The debug carrier being reflown on a miniware hot plate. (The bigger one not the original tiny one)
October 21, 2025 at 11:47 PM
esden.net
A Video impression of the #NoKings 2 march in #Eugene #Oregon It was a really pretty autumn day. Lot's of patriotic people came out. I hope you get some good vibes from it as I did. :) #nokings2 #resist #resistence
October 19, 2025 at 12:02 AM
esden.net
Some photo impressions from #nokings in #eugene #oregon It was _SIGNIFICANTLY_ bigger than NoKings 1 and way more cars were honking too! #nokings2 #resistance #resist
NoKings protesters. Some of the signs: “Due Process for All”, “Willie Nelso for President”, “Dump the Trump”. But the biggest one is carried by a person dressed in blue scrubs. Carries a “Operation Game” styled sign. A cartoon Donald trump is on the operating table and has a bunch of annotations. “Bird Brained Idiot”, “Forked Tongue Liar”, “Mean Hearted Bully”, “Taco Tits”, “Small D—K Energy”, “delusional Dictator”, “Cankles Crime King” he is holding also a crown in his hand. More signs in the crowd. “I have a dream”, with police arresting Trump. More people, “Hate will not make us great” Long road full of people marching.
October 18, 2025 at 10:29 PM
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I feel bad involving Germans in any of this. But it works in the US context very well to convey a message. (see alt text for description) #nokings #nokings2 #protest #USA
Caricature of a crazed Stephen Miller, holding a “naked cat”/“little baby” Donald Trump with empty eyes on his lap. Miller is pressing his vampire claws into Trumps back. On Stephen’s arm is a red armband with a part of a circle suggesting a “certain party” affiliation. The picture has a subtext “Peewee German’s Pet” which is a play on words with “Peewee Hermann” who was a US American comedy character known for being small and childlike. In the right lower corner is the date October 18th, 2025, the day of the second No Kings protest.
October 18, 2025 at 9:41 PM
esden.net
I might be using codeberg (aka. forgejo) more in the future. I am unreasonably excited to see how many merge options it offers, but mainly "fast-forward only" is in there! ❤️ Why can't I have it on GitHub 💔
Merge pull request dropdown: * Create merge commit * Rebase then fast-forward * Rebase then create merge commit * Create squash commit * Fast-forward only
October 9, 2025 at 1:55 AM
esden.net
First stable release V1.0.0 of bmputil! This Black Magic Probe Utility simplifies the process of keeping your Black Magic Probe up to date. New: the ability to automatically find and download the newest Black Magic Probe firmware. No need to find correct binaries any more! github.com/blackmagic-d...
Command line output of bmputil when invoked with no parameters. -> bmputil-cli Black Magic Probe companion utility v1.0.0 Usage: bmputil-cli [OPTIONS] <COMMAND> Commands: probe Actions to be performed against a probe target Actions to be performed against a target connected to a probe server Actions that run the tool as a debug/tracing server debug Actions that run debugging commands against a target connected to a probe complete Generate completions data for the shell help Print this message or the help of the given subcommand(s) Options: -s, --serial <SERIAL_NUMBER> Use the device with the given serial number --index <INDEX> Use the nth found device (may be unstable!) -p, --port <PORT> Use the device on the given USB port -h, --help Print help -V, --version Print version
July 13, 2025 at 5:12 AM
esden.net
bmputil V1.0.0-rc.2 is here! This release is quite a big change from rc.1 to future proof the API before V1.0 release. See release notes for details. github.com/blackmagic-d... #opensource #rust #embedded #electronics #debugging #microcontrollers #jtag #swd
Screenshot of a terminal. Showing the output of `bmputil-cli`. ``` Black Magic Probe companion utility Usage: bmputil-cli [OPTIONS] <COMMAND> Commands: probe Actions to be performed against a probe target Actions to be performed against a target connected to a probe server Actions that run the tool as a debug/tracing server debug Actions that run debugging commands against a target connected to a probe complete Generate completions data for the shell help Print this message or the help of the given subcommand(s) Options: -s, --serial <SERIAL_NUMBER> Use the device with the given serial number --index <INDEX> Use the nth found device (may be unstable!) -p, --port <PORT> Use the device on the given USB port -h, --help Print help -V, --version Print version ```
July 4, 2025 at 6:19 PM
esden.net
The march! So many people! So many hand made signs! This is great to see! Thank you #Eugene for being awesome! #Oregon #nokings
June 14, 2025 at 9:43 PM
esden.net
Here we go! #Eugene #Oregon #nokings
No makings protest at the federal court building in Eugene Oregon. Huge crowd with signs bearing an overpass. No makings protest at the federal court building in Eugene Oregon. Huge crowd with signs bearing an overpass. No makings protest at the federal court building in Eugene Oregon. Huge crowd with signs bearing an overpass.
June 14, 2025 at 9:40 PM
esden.net
Here is the final invoice I got from DigiKey. I ended up paying 10% tax on the eval board and one of the MCUs, and 20% on the other MCU. They all have COO: China, I bet the tariff difference is dependent on when DigiKey imported them.
DigiKey invoice detailing Tariff codes, Country Of Origin and the Tariff amount paid on each item.
June 3, 2025 at 10:29 PM
esden.net
Interestingly DigiKey seems to be "eating" some of the tariffs…
DigiKey Cart, containing the same items as the Mouser one. The estimated tariffs are about 10% lower than Mouser.
June 3, 2025 at 8:50 PM
esden.net
GRRR... >_< iT iS NoT a tAx 🤡

It would be interesting to know which STM SKU’s are made in the EU fabs. But I bet they are still sending the DIEs to china for packaging.
Mouser order cart listing several STMicroelectronics parts. Each part has an extra line labeled "Estimated Tariff:" adding about 25% to the price of every item on the list.
June 3, 2025 at 8:36 PM
esden.net
Updated my STM32 KiCad Symbol generator! It now generates the modern library format and uses alternate pin functions feature. This results in more compact symbols. Plus a few other tweaks compared to the official KiCad library. Give it a try, let me know what you think. github.com/esden/stm32-...
Two sets of sub-unit STM32 symbols. One set for STM32G0B1C(B-C-E)Tx and the second set for STM32L452V(C-E)Tx.
May 17, 2025 at 2:02 AM
esden.net
Continuing the assembly marathon. Today assembling Black Magic Probe V2.3 JTAG/SWD debugger and programmer. #manufacturing #electronics #jtag #debug #embedded
April 28, 2025 at 12:57 AM
esden.net
Today assembling ARM Cortex debug to legacy 20pin JTAG adapters. Slowly getting on top of the production backlog. :) #manufacturing #electronics #jtag #debug #embedded
April 27, 2025 at 12:01 AM
esden.net
Another assembly day. Finally making more DVI Pmods! Soon to be back in stock :) #fpga #opensource #manufacturing #electronics
April 26, 2025 at 12:45 AM
esden.net
Catching up on some PCB assembly in the shop today. Collected a little bit of a backlog. 😅 #fpga #opensource #manufacturing #electronics
April 23, 2025 at 10:44 PM
esden.net
After surprising amount of music library cleanup. I took the #tangara out for a spin! Everything sounds so crisp and clear on the Tangara. It might be subjective but it sound better than the mac mini and to the scarlett outputs?! Setup was also very easy! Will likely get a second one for my wife! :D
OpenSource iPod inspired music player called Tangara. It shows some genres on the display and is sitting on top of some open back headphones.
February 5, 2025 at 4:49 PM
esden.net
Look what just arrived! The amazing #tangara the reimagined #opensource iPod. Thank you for all your hard work Cool Tech Zone crew! You rock!
A blue background with a printed carton saying “taagara”, an outline drawing of an iPod looking device, (square screen and a round click wheel on the bottom), CE and FCC markings as well as a QR code redirecting to the https://cooltech.zone/tangara/ website. To the right the #tangara itself with a pretty frosted transparent enclosure.
February 1, 2025 at 2:29 AM
esden.net
FWIW here is the video
January 17, 2025 at 3:48 AM
esden.net
Finally assembled of the new epic-erebus bringup jigs! @dragonmux.network moved the pogo-pins a bit to make them work better. The pogos are tilted so the card is not bending them away from the landing pads when lowered. We also added a bunch more signal breakouts. They seem to work well now.
The Epic-Erebus board in the breakout board socket. The Breakout board is missing all the through hole parts but the card is fitting and lines up with the m3 screw stud correctly. 3D printed breakout base with heatserts allowing the board to be screwed onto the base with m2 screws. The pogo-pins have holes in the base to allow for accurate alignment during assembly. A mean well power supply providing power to the breakout board. The breakout board has all the through hole parts mounted including the USB3 connectors that bring out the PCIe lanes out. The tigard board is connected to the JTAG interface of the breakout. The epic-erebus is loaded with a bitstream and is blinking. Four development breakout boards for the epic erebus with thumbscrews for the m.2 card retention. All four are mounted onto the 3d printed bases and have their pogo-pins soldered in.
January 2, 2025 at 7:43 PM
esden.net
I also decided to tack down the inductors using some hot glue. I know it is getting warm inside so that might just create a huge mess, but it is worth a try. If that does not work out I will remove it and replace it with silicone. We will see™️ :D #hamradio #kitradio #mchf
The mcHF RF board. The Toroid inductors have a big blob of hot glue melted into the center hole. The glue goes all the way down to the PCB keeping them in place. On the right the SWR/Power meter inductors have also a small dab of hot glue on the side. In the background the transformers also have some hot glue to keep them in place.
December 19, 2024 at 5:54 PM
esden.net
I got some silicone thermal pads for the TO-220s, so I have to take the radio apart and put them in. While I am at it I am also adding the optional TCXO temperature sensor. The instructions recommend to couple the oscillator and the sensor with some copper tape. #hamradio #kitradio #mchf
The mcHF RF board with an SO-8 Temperature sensor soldered on. There is a copper tape shape bridging across from the SO-8 To the square oscillator package. The same mcHF RF board but without the copper tape connecting the thermal sensor with the TCXO The mcHF RF board before the temperature sensor was soldered in. The SO8 package is missing.
December 17, 2024 at 3:21 PM
esden.net
New toys arrived! I can now safely finish calibrating the mcHF radio. The dummy load is a bit of a handful but one can aspire to bigger things in the future… right? 😅 #electronics #hamradio #hf
On the left is a SWR/Power meter by SureCom model SW-102HF. On the right is a 50W dummy load held in the hand for size reference.
December 14, 2024 at 3:51 PM
esden.net
I don't think I posted about it. I mounted a dipole antenna above my roof crest. In the center there is a 1:1 balun, and it is running coax down to my office that happens to be near the middle of the house. The wire length is calculated for 40m band, but it is doing a pretty good job at 20m too.
A picture of a roof from the side. Showing vents along the roof crest as well as a wire going to a bipod in the center and continuing to the other side of the roof. There is also a VHF antenna in the left upper corner of the picture.
December 9, 2024 at 6:54 PM