OpenHW Studio
Full-stack in-browser hardware simulation platform, multi-architecture emulation runners, WebAssembly networking, and high-throughput compiler infrastructure built for classroom-scale virtual engineering labs.
- ROLE
- Core Contributor · 550+ Commits · 236 Merged PRs · 480k+ LoC
- ORGANIZATION
- FOSSEE, IIT Bombay
- PRODUCTION
- https://openhw-studio.fossee.in/
- STACK
- React · TypeScript · Rust · WASM · Web Workers · Node.js · Docker
- STATUS
- Live in active educational production
Key Engineering Deliverables
What I architected & built across 480,000+ lines of code
9 Virtual Peripherals & SVG Silicon Modeling
Engineered simulation logic, SVG hardware interfaces, and validation hooks for ILI9341 TFT displays, ESP32-CAM, SSD1306 OLED, Character Displays, IR Remote/Receivers, and Class-D audio amplifiers using SharedArrayBuffers at 30+ FPS.
Dual-Layer Compilation Caching (<200ms)
Implemented SHA-1 hashing, 500MB memory caching, and a 1GB compiled binary disk cache with a serialized queue manager to completely prevent OOM server crashes under heavy classroom concurrency.
Rust WASM Autograding & Auto-Fix GUI
Created client-side boolean matrix evaluation algorithms compiled from Rust into WebAssembly to automatically assess student circuits and mathematically render guided SVG repair splines.
Delta Telemetry Optimization (99% Payload Drop)
Engineered state fingerprinting in execute.ts with ultra-lightweight delta early returns, cutting postMessage payload size from multiple kilobytes to a 50-byte keep-alive and eliminating UI memory thrashing.
System Architecture
Multi-layer execution & compilation pipeline
SIMULATION PIPELINE
Multi-threaded Web Worker architecture (execute.ts, avr-runner.ts, rp2040-runner.ts) isolating CPU execution ticks and memory state interception without blocking the React UI.
WASM ESP32 NETWORKING
WebAssembly cycle-budgeted runner (rv32-runner.ts) with virtual socket routing gateways for BLE, Wi-Fi, and Thread, plus zero-drop Ethernet packet padding for LwIP.
DUAL COMPILATION CACHING
Aggressive dual-layer caching strategy (Client IndexedDB + Server SHA-1 RAM/Disk pools) reducing cloud build latencies from 8s to under 200ms.
INTELLIGENT AUTOWIRING
Rust WASM Manhattan Router enforcing 7px lane spacing, short-circuit detection physics, and Breadth-First Search (BFS) routing for breadboards.
Real-World Production Impact
Deployed live at IIT Bombay for virtual hardware laboratories
OpenHW Studio is currently active in production, providing thousands of students with in-browser microcontroller simulation (AVR Arduino, Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040, and ESP32), auto-wiring assistance, and automated grading without requiring physical hardware kits or native toolchain installations.