[pkaye]

A product I was working on had different variants based on what parts are populated. There were config resistors to help route the signals based on what was populated. I replaced that all with a simple software lookup table in firmware to reroute the signals correctly. Furthermore I figured out how to auto-detect the dozens of supported configurations on first bootup. The PCBs were very small so I made the board designers job a lot easier due to eliminated resistors. The factory folks were thrilled that they didn't have to manage the jumpers.

[sitkack]

I would hire you. These techniques should be applied pervasively.

Could you write a guide? I would buy it.

[pkaye]

Thanks for the kind praises. Unfortunately I'm not much of a writer though I have lots of interesting experiences that I tell my friends and coworkers.

A big part of how I'm today is due to my boss at that time. One of the most brilliant engineers I worked it. He also gave us a lot of time and freedom to think of these kind of approaches. Sadly these days a lot of companies are always in a rush so one can't think things through properly.