# An Interview with Jake Baker

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2016-05-06
- Length: 1h 04m
- Episode: 297
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-06-an-interview-with-jake-baker
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/297-an-interview-with-jake-baker/

## Summary

Chris Gammell, a professor at UNLV and former chip designer at companies like Micron, discusses the evolution of semiconductor design, contrasting the high-risk, high-reward environment of the 1990s with today's risk-averse industry dominated by expensive reticles. He details the technical progression of memory technologies, including DRAM, Flash, and emerging Resistive RAM (ReRAM), while explaining how companies like Intel and Micron are attempting to replace Flash with 3D cross-point architectures. Gammell also shares insights on his educational initiatives, including his use of the MOSIS service for student fabrication and his development of free online courses using tools like Electric VLSI and Cadence to prepare students for industry roles.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-06-an-interview-with-jake-baker#t=0) Introduction: Chris Gammell and UNLV
- [2:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-06-an-interview-with-jake-baker#t=166) The Semiconductor Industry: Risk, Reticles, and Niche Markets
- [6:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-06-an-interview-with-jake-baker#t=394) Patents, DDR, and the History of Memory Design
- [13:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-06-an-interview-with-jake-baker#t=830) Career Path: From Star Wars to Micron and Memory
- [19:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-06-an-interview-with-jake-baker#t=1174) Resistive Memory (ReRAM) and 3D Cross-Point Architecture
- [26:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-06-an-interview-with-jake-baker#t=1594) Failed Technologies: Field Emitting Displays and Yield Issues
- [33:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-06-an-interview-with-jake-baker#t=2002) MOSIS, CAD Tools, and Student Fabrication
- [40:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-06-an-interview-with-jake-baker#t=2411) Education: Books, Electric VLSI, and Online Courses

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- UNLV (company)
- Micron (company)
- Intel (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- Broadcom (company)
- On Semiconductor (company)
- Rambus (company)
- DRAM (product)
- Flash (product)
- ReRAM (product)
- MOSIS (tool)
- Electric VLSI (tool)
- Cadence (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [376: Left Half of My Brain Is Digital](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-06-10-376-left-half-of-my-brain-is-digital) (Embedded.fm)
- [Risking RISC-V | Engineers & the Gig Economy | Chiplets](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-06-14-risking-risc-v-engineers-the-gig-economy-chiplets) (EE Times Current)
- [Episode 67: A Conversation with Aart de Geus on EDA and the Future of Silicon Design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2024-05-13-episode-67-a-conversation-with-aart-de-geus-on-eda-and-the-future-of-silicon-des) (The Circuit)
- [303: Kids, Turn in Your Chips](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-09-19-303-kids-turn-in-your-chips) (Embedded.fm)
- [IMEC & the End of the Road(map) | EDS and the Trade War | Restoring Notre Dame](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-05-17-imec-the-end-of-the-road-map-eds-and-the-trade-war-restoring-notre-dame) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

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