Do you recall the worldwide shortage of chips? Even though it's only been three years, it feels like a long time ago. I had completely forgotten about it until two sporadic references to it appeared quickly after one another, bringing everything back to me like a suppressed nightmare.
A module for a set of FPV goggles was acting as the ghost of chip shortage past. I had to determine which of the three firmware versions that were available for download on the manufacturer's website I actually needed. Since I had recently received a replacement PCB for the buggy receiver, I knew it wasn't V1. It was either V2 or V3, but which was it?
After investigating, they discovered that V2 was the version that resolved the issue, and V3 was a redesign centered on a new microcontroller chip because the V2 was unavailable due to a shortage.
I saw images of anxious hackers learning new toolchains, looking for substitute parts, and discovering that, although they could obtain that one chip, there were only 20 remaining and they were being sold for $30 rather than $1.30. During these difficult years, many of you were creating, and I'm sure you all have battle stories to share.
Nevertheless, we are now unquestionably past the chip shortage. How do you know? Three years ago, we would have killed the processor that comes with a $30 vape pen. Just for fun, the vape has a touchscreen. Additionally, it has a Bluetooth LE chip that isn't even in use. In my opinion, the hardware designers merely included it in the hopes that the firmware team will eventually use it.
There is 16 MB of external SPI flash in this vaporizer! We were not even able to obtain 4 MB SPI flash during the chip scarcity.
Being on the opposite side of the chip shortage is pleasant. Simply place your order for the parts you desire, and they will arrive.
However, don't underestimate how opulent that feels. Take a deep breath and design with assurance. Finally, you won't have to worry about it being the last authentic STM32F103 blue pill board in existence.
(Although the author occasionally possesses that enthusiasm, the featured image is not a real shot of him.)