# Capacitors, Simulation and Closures - Deonerated Design Dealmaking

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2014-03-12
- Length: 1h 12m
- Episode: 188
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-12-capacitors-simulation-and-closures-deonerated-design-dealmaking
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/188-capacitors-simulation-and-closures-deonerated-design-dealmaking/

## Summary

Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the closure of Touchstone Semiconductor, whose IP was acquired by Silicon Labs for $1.5 million, and Radio Shack's decision to close 1,100 stores. They analyze the challenges of starting analog chip companies and the retail landscape, then cover simulation tools like the discontinuation of Multi-SIM and the licensing of TINA. The conversation also explores PCB panelization issues, the potential for a commercial support model for KiCad, and the physical failure mechanisms of ceramic capacitors during automated assembly.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-12-capacitors-simulation-and-closures-deonerated-design-dealmaking#t=0) Introduction: Dave Jones and Chris Gammell
- [4:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-12-capacitors-simulation-and-closures-deonerated-design-dealmaking#t=258) Testing Jigs and Logistics: EEVblog and Contextual Electronics
- [18:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-12-capacitors-simulation-and-closures-deonerated-design-dealmaking#t=1090) Pricing Strategy: Competing with Free and Sunk Costs
- [23:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-12-capacitors-simulation-and-closures-deonerated-design-dealmaking#t=1426) Company Closures: Touchstone Semiconductor and Radio Shack
- [38:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-12-capacitors-simulation-and-closures-deonerated-design-dealmaking#t=2327) Simulation Tools: Multi-SIM, TINA, and KiCad
- [57:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-12-capacitors-simulation-and-closures-deonerated-design-dealmaking#t=3468) Capacitor Failures and Ceramic Properties
- [1:06:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-12-capacitors-simulation-and-closures-deonerated-design-dealmaking#t=3975) ARM Chip Volume and Market Dynamics

## Topics

- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Touchstone Semiconductor (company)
- Silicon Labs (company)
- Radio Shack (company)
- Multi-SIM (tool)
- TINA (tool)
- LTSpice (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- AVX (company)
- ARM (chip)

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## Citing this page

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