July 30, 2013 – Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs—an IEEE Life Fellow, engineer and business leader—has been recognized by IEEE with the 2013 IEEE Medal of Honour for his “leadership and fundamental contributions to digital communications and wireless technology”.

In 1985, Dr. Jacobs co-founded Qualcomm Inc. and grew it from a small technology firm to a Fortune 500 company. He overcame the initial skepticism and controversy involved with introducing the new technology and guided Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) to successful implementation and standardization, said IEEE. CDMA would become the foundation of third-generation (3G) wireless systems.

“From his beginnings as a communications theorist, Dr. Jacobs’ success lies in his vision and ability to take ideas that advance digital technology from theory to practice and successful commercialization,” said IEEE, adding that he has played a key role in the shift from analogue to digital communications over the past 40 years.