# E&M Reality Emerges with Robert Fennis

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2026-08-19
- Length: 1h 22m
- Episode: 731
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/731-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis/

## Summary

Robert Fennis, creator of the open-source Python-based 3D electromagnetic solver EMerge, explains how to democratize RF simulation by providing an accessible alternative to expensive proprietary tools like HFSS and Ansys. He details the technical differences between Finite Element Method (FEM), Method of Moments, and FDTD solvers, emphasizing that FEM solves for electric fields in the space around conductors rather than just currents. Fennis shares practical advice for hardware developers, such as starting with simple antenna geometries, understanding that silk screen and right-angle traces can detune high-frequency designs, and leveraging LLMs to generate simulation scripts. He outlines a workflow for designing integrated Bluetooth antennas, stressing that 'good enough' matching is often sufficient for consumer applications due to the large dynamic range of receivers.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis#t=0) Introduction: Robert Fennis and EMerge
- [2:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis#t=147) The Barrier to Entry: Proprietary Software vs. Open Source
- [6:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis#t=400) FEM vs. FDTD vs. Method of Moments
- [17:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis#t=1024) Simulation Pitfalls: Silk Screen and Right Angles
- [27:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis#t=1657) Designing an Integrated Bluetooth Antenna
- [39:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis#t=2343) Iterative Design: From Simple Wire to Complex Enclosure
- [46:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis#t=2803) Other Applications: Filters and Crosstalk
- [56:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis#t=3372) Building EMerge: Motivation and Technical Architecture
- [1:08:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-19-e-m-reality-emerges-with-robert-fennis#t=4112) Practical Limitations: PCB Import and Meshing

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- EMerge (product)
- HFSS (tool)
- Ansys (company)
- Synopsys (company)
- CST Microwave Studios (product)
- GMSH (tool)
- Python (other)
- NumPy (other)
- LLM (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [398: Clocks Get Into Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-01-14-398-clocks-get-into-everything) (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)
- [The Latest in PCB Simulation: Expert Insights with Yuriy Shlepnev](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-04-16-the-latest-in-pcb-simulation-expert-insights-with-yuriy-shlepnev) (OnTrack)
- [Inside Simberian's AI-Driven Design Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-09-inside-simberians-ai-driven-design-automation) (OnTrack)
- [Intro  EMC: Compliance, Opportunities & Pitfalls with Anton Tishchenko](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-05-01-intro-emc-compliance-opportunities-pitfalls-with-anton-tishchenko) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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