# An Interview with Pete Bevelacqua

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2019-06-10
- Length: 1h 12m
- Episode: 446
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/446-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua/

## Summary

Chris Gammell, an antenna engineer who has worked at Boeing, Apple, and Nest, explains the complexities of designing antennas for consumer electronics and defense systems. He details the transition from theoretical convex optimization in his PhD to practical RF engineering, covering topics like FCC compliance, EIRP limits, and the critical role of antenna efficiency. Gammell also describes his process for prototyping antennas using mock-ups and VNAs, and shares insights into building a custom Vector Network Analyzer to overcome the high cost of professional test equipment.

## Chapters

- [1:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua#t=74) Introduction and Career Background
- [5:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua#t=300) Convex Optimization and PhD Research
- [8:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua#t=493) Antenna Design at Boeing vs. Consumer Electronics
- [14:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua#t=879) RF Metrics: Decibels, Gain, and Efficiency
- [30:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua#t=1800) Prototyping and Integration Challenges
- [35:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua#t=2144) Testing with VNAs and Anechoic Chambers
- [57:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua#t=3447) Building a Custom Vector Network Analyzer
- [1:08:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua#t=4114) High-Altitude Rocketry Project

## Topics

- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Boeing (company)
- Apple (company)
- Nest (company)
- HFSS (tool)
- CST (tool)
- Digi-Key (company)
- Satomo (company)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- GoPro (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [25: Thunderdome for Antennas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-10-30-25-thunderdome-for-antennas) (Embedded.fm)
- [154: Physics Is a Big Pain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-02-154-physics-is-a-big-pain) (Embedded.fm)
- [76: Entropy Is for Wimps](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-11-12-76-entropy-is-for-wimps) (Embedded.fm)
- [The Role of Antennas in IoT & How to Pick the Right One  | Field Theory Consulting's Tadd Scarpelli | Internet of Things Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-12-08-the-role-of-antennas-in-iot-how-to-pick-the-right-one-field-theory-consultings-t) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [398: Clocks Get Into Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-01-14-398-clocks-get-into-everything) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-06-10-an-interview-with-pete-bevelacqua. 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 The Amp Hour.