National Inventors Hall of Fame Honoree Andrew Viterbi

The transcript discusses the speaker's experience with grants during their time at UCLA and Qualcomm, focusing on the development of the Viterbi decoder with SBIR funding. It highlights the importance of NSF funding in advancing technology and the risks involved in product development. The speaker emphasizes the critical role of government R&D support in mitigating these risks and fostering innovation.

What was the primary purpose of the SBIR grant received by Qualcomm?

• To enhance the Viterbi decoder's capabilities

• To develop a new marketing strategy

• To hire more administrative staff

• To expand office space

How did the SBIR grant impact Qualcomm's product development?

• It provided a small amount of funding with no significant impact

• It allowed for the development of a new product line

• It offered validation and financial support for research engineers

• It led to the closure of several projects

Why is NSF funding considered crucial for high technology industries?

• It provides immediate financial returns

• It supports long-term research that maintains industry leadership

• It focuses solely on marketing and sales

• It replaces all other forms of funding

What challenge is associated with developing new systems and products at Qualcomm?

• Lack of government support

• Uncertainty and risk in product functionality

• Guaranteed success without any risks

• High certainty of product performance

What role does government R&D support play in product development?

• It has no impact on product development

• It diminishes the risk associated with innovation

• It increases the risk of failure

• It only supports marketing efforts