How does a computer know which parts it is composed of? What hardware and peripherals are connected? For a desktop computer, many things like storage drives and attached USB devices are discoverable on boot. But for embedded systems, a lot of the hardware is connected via non-discoverable protocols such as SPI, UART, and GPIO. The kernel, which controls the hardware, needs to be told what devices are attached and how to talk to them.

The LeafLabs Neuro team is pleased to announce their return to the Society for Neuroscience 2016 conference. Next week in San Diego from 11/13 to 11/16, they'll be showing off some exciting new projects, along with updates on their progress since last year. While their project scope has expanded, their focus remains to be the theme of big data challenges in neuroscience.

Have you wondered how information is carried over a modern interface like USB-C, or if the manufacturer of your smartphone decides not to provide a 3.5mm headset jack, how audio is routed?  This post is intended to address these questions at a high level:  I’ll embed various links to additional information, for those who care to explore further.