# 151: Captain Stochastic

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2016-05-11
- Length: 1h 09m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep151mp3

## Summary

Paul Sidenblad, an engineer at Nvidia, discusses his 40-year career spanning General Electric's declassified Gambit spy satellite, 3Com, and various other tech firms. He details his work on signal processing libraries, specifically Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) and random number generators, and his transition from hardware drivers to high-level software optimization. Sidenblad emphasizes the importance of learning how to learn, using tools like Google Protobufs, and maintaining a passion for solving complex hardware-software interface problems without burning out.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic#t=6) Introduction: Paul Sidenblad and Lightning Round
- [5:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic#t=303) Daily Routine and Flow State at Nvidia
- [7:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic#t=432) Nvidia Work: FFTs, Random Numbers, and GPU Libraries
- [10:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic#t=648) Early Career: 3Com, Intel, and Network Drivers
- [15:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic#t=947) Olivetti, Bell Northern Research, and Global Projects
- [19:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic#t=1164) GE Gambit Satellite and the Motorcycle Problem
- [28:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic#t=1733) Career Advice, Learning, and Avoiding Cynicism
- [44:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic#t=2685) Modern Tools: Protobufs and C++ Templates

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Nvidia (company)
- General Electric (company)
- 3Com (company)
- Olivetti (company)
- Google (company)
- Protobufs (tool)
- CDC 3800 (other)
- Gambit (product)

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- [An Interview with Steve Leibson - Impavid Ideopraxist Insider](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-06-11-an-interview-with-steve-leibson-impavid-ideopraxist-insider) (The Amp Hour)
- [029 - Old Timey Name Droppin'](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-10-17-029-old-timey-name-droppin) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
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## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-05-11-151-captain-stochastic. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.