Henry Samueli, the co-founder of Broadcom, has been named the 2025 IEEE Medal of Honor Laureate, marking him as the very first recipient of its newly established $2 million monetary prize. This significant honor from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) recognizes Samueli for his unparalleled contributions to the development and commercialization of analog and mixed-signal communications systems circuits, which have been instrumental to the explosive growth of broadband communication technologies.
Samueli’s work has directly influenced the wired and wireless networking technologies utilized today, rendering him a prominent figure within the industry. IEEE President and CEO Kathleen Kramer remarked, “IEEE Medal of Honor Laureate Henry Samueli’s vision and communications technology innovations spurred the development of products used by nearly every person around the world. From the billions of consumer smart phones, set-top boxes and tablets to laptops, and IoT devices, Samueli created new and novel ways to power connections and unite humanity.” This quote reflects the vast impact Samueli has had on consumer electronics and daily life.
Beyond his technical accomplishments, Samueli is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts, especially his substantial support for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. His commitment to community development through education exemplifies his belief in the importance of nurturing future generations of engineers and innovators.
A celebrated educator himself, Samueli serves as a professor of electrical engineering at UCLA. His academic background laid the groundwork for his groundbreaking work on digital signal processing architectures utilized within broadband communications chips. Following the establishment of Broadcom, he led the development of the world’s first digital cable set-top box modem chipset. This innovation enabled the transmission of UltraHD and HDTV content, significantly changing how video streaming is delivered to homes globally. Today, Broadcom remains at the forefront of semiconductor technologies for both wired and wireless communications.
“Through broadband, Henry Samueli helped revolutionize how the world is connected, fostering cultural and economic paradigm shifts across countless industries, and positively impacting our everyday lives,” K. J. Ray Liu, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Raising the Prestige of IEEE Awards and former IEEE President and CEO, noted. “His prolific philanthropy has deeply impacted many lives for the Better – from generous support of STEM education to his pledge to give away the majority of his money during his lifetime.” This statement not only honors Samueli’s professional legacy but also highlights the far-reaching effects of his charitable endeavors.
The prestigious 2025 IEEE Medal of Honor, along with other highly regarded IEEE awards, will be presented during the IEEE Honors Ceremony scheduled for April 24, 2025. Notably, this event marks the first time the ceremonial presentations will take place in Tokyo, Japan, adding a layer of significance to the occasion.
Samueli's recognition stands as both an industry milestone and a reminder of the influence of technological innovation on society. His dedication to both excellence and ethical responsibility serves as inspiration to technologists and innovators worldwide. The IEEE Medal of Honor not only acknowledges individual achievements but also signifies the collective potential of technology to shape the future.