Hans Camenzind, 555 timer inventor, dies

[mediatechnology]

SAN FRANCISCO--Hans Camenzind, the Swiss emigre analog guru who invented one of the most successful circuits in electronics history and introduced the concept of phase-locked loop to IC design, passed away in his sleep at the age of 78.

Another analog guru passes. Is there anyone alive practicing the art of electronics that hasn't used an NE555?

http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news ... nzind-dies

I've got two of Hans' books. I consider them classics.

[JR.]

I met him back in the '70s when we used his semi-custom IC technology (Interdesign) at a company I worked for.

I actually never used a 555 in a commercial design, while it was a clever early IC. It wasn't quite fast enough to make clocks for studio flangers, and simple timers could be rolled from CMOS gates.

JR

PS I'm logged in but now i can't see an entire thread.

[mediatechnology]

I've got the Interdesign Book. Learned a lot from that book.

Camezind's book "Designing Analog Chips" is here: http://www.ka-electronics.com/images/pd ... _Chips.pdf

[mediatechnology]

"The 555 Timer Was Just The Beginning For Hans Camenzind," EDN Article, November 28, 2012.

http://electronicdesign.com/article/ana ... 3_ED-04_72

[JR.]

Cool I didn't realize he was behind the PLL too... creative guy.

JR