# An Interview with Kieran O'Leary

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2019-07-29
- Length: 1h 27m
- Episode: 452
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/452-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary/

## Summary

Chris Gammell, founder of Mixed Signal Systems, discusses his career transition from application engineering at semiconductor giants like Xilinx and Wolfson Microelectronics to running his own consultancy. He details the high-pressure environment of supporting tier-one customers with new silicon, the technical challenges of designing evaluation boards under compressed timelines, and the critical importance of understanding return current paths to avoid signal integrity and EMC failures in mixed-signal designs.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=0) Introduction and Career Background
- [5:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=358) FPGA Evolution and Embedded Systems at Xilinx
- [12:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=750) The Role of Applications Engineers and Strategic Customers
- [19:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=1177) Semiconductor Support Models and Tier-One Dynamics
- [30:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=1808) Designing Evaluation Boards and Reference Designs
- [35:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=2143) Silicon Validation and Compressed Timelines
- [47:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=2843) Transition to Consulting and Client Types
- [56:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=3396) Signal Integrity, Return Currents, and EMC
- [1:00:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=3634) Common Design Mistakes and Compliance Testing
- [1:19:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary#t=4747) Edinburgh Tech Scene and Closing Remarks

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mixed Signal Systems (company)
- Xilinx (company)
- Wolfson Microelectronics (company)
- Analog Devices (company)
- Nordic Semiconductor (company)
- KiCad (tool)
- Altium (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- Cadence (tool)
- Mentor Graphics (tool)
- RFSoC (product)
- Vertex 2 Pro (product)
- MicroBlaze (product)
- PowerPC (product)
- EMC CompO (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [480: Surprises Early In The Game](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-06-27-480-surprises-early-in-the-game) (Embedded.fm)
- [Signal Integrity, Thermal & DFM: PCB West Preview with Keven](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-08-05-signal-integrity-thermal-dfm-pcb-west-preview-with-keven) (OnTrack)
- [203: Save My Board](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-06-08-203-save-my-board) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep. 8 | From Prototype to Market: Design for Manufacturability with Untapped Engineering Resources](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee) (Moore's Lobby)
- [EMI Pitfalls, Tips and Careers with Joost Brilman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-07-25-emi-pitfalls-tips-and-careers-with-joost-brilman) (OnTrack)

## 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/2019-07-29-an-interview-with-kieran-oleary. 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.