Hans R. Camenzind

Hans R. Camenzind (1 January 1934 to 8 August 2012^[1]) was a Swiss electronics engineer, famous for designing the 555 timer IC in 1970.^[2] He was the inventor on 20 US patents. Camenzind also wrote three books and numerous technical articles,^[3] and lectured at the University of Santa Clara.

Background and education

Camenzind was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland where he went to college. In 1960 he moved to the United States, first receiving an MSEE from Northeastern University and then an MBA from the University of Santa Clara.

Career

After six years doing research in the laboratories of PR Mallory^[4] in the Boston area, Camenzind moved to the West Coast to join Signetics,^[5] later acquired by Philips Semiconductors, and now spun off as NXP Semiconductors. But two years later Signetics lost its way and Camanzind took a leave of absence and worked from home. He then started Interdesign, a semiconductor design company, which he headed for seven years before selling out to Ferranti. Following the sale of Interdesign, Camenzind became an independent analog IC design consultant.

During his career Camenzind designed the first integrated class D amplifier, introduced the IC phase-locked loop, invented the semicustom IC, and created the legendary 555 timer. By 2006, he had designed 140 standard and custom ICs.

Books

Camenzind wrote three books and numerous technical articles. His last book, Much Ado About Almost Nothing, published in February 2007, is a general audience book about the history of electronics. Other books include, Designing Analog Chips and, under the pen name John Peter, he also wrote, Circumstantial Evidence, a book about religion.

References

External links

• Designing Analog Chips official website
• Much Ado About *Almost* Nothing official website
• Wikipedia Page on analog Chips
• interview by Transistor Gijutsu magazine (Japanese subtitled)
  • part 1 on YouTube
  • part 2 on YouTube