JIT bitmap text rendering for microcontrollers

Raph Levien describes a JIT (just-in-time) compilation technique for fast bitmap text rendering on the RP2350 microcontroller, which generates optimized code on-the-fly for rendering strings with proportional spacing and kerning. The approach uses a "race-the-beam" rendering method that fills the video buffer scanline-by-scanline rather than using a framebuffer, allowing more visual richness while staying within a strict 6-cycles-per-pixel performance budget. This technique combines the aesthetic benefits of intentionally-designed bitmap fonts with the efficiency needed for resource-constrained microcontroller systems.