OnTrack: The PCB Design Podcast

In this episode, we are very pleased to have Dr. Rob Spalding. He is a retired Brigade General at the US Air Force and now the CEO of SEMPRE (Secure EMP-Resistant Edge), a tech company based in Washinton DC that provides military-grade 5G and high-performance edge computing infrastructure for telecom operators, first responders, government and enterprise customers.

Today, Rob and I will talk about all things security! Rob will tackle the importance of being proactive when it comes to protecting your data, and his advocacy to bring a better understanding of technology and innovation in Washington, DC (White House).

Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics

Watch the video, click here.

Show Highlights:

• Rob’s background and career before he became the CEO of SEMPRE
• What is SEMPRE? What are the problems it solves and the solutions it offers?
• Rob clarifies what’s written in his 5G report, which was taken out of context in 2018
  • He emphasizes building enough spectrum into the network to take full advantage of the 5G technology
• Rob’s take on PCB manufacturing, and semiconductor manufacturing onshore
  • Onshore manufacturing has its advantage in controlling and protecting intellectual property
  • Most corporations are making decisions on the basis of, what's my margin?
  • TSMC has built itself up to be the best chip company in the world because they own the manufacturing line
• Hardware-level security in base stations
  • Ability to zerorize crypto–shutting infrastructure down, and shut that thing down physically destroy certain things
  • SEMPRE uses FPGAs as a security advantage
• It's data that really drive value in the economy
  • If we can’t protect our data, then we can't protect the integrity of who we are as individuals and who we are as a nation
• Rob demonstrates how vulnerable is the public from being spied on
• A recent survey reveals that there will be a talent shortage in the PCB design and manufacturing industry in the next 15 years
• Rob suggests allocation of budget to sponsor American kids through four-year degree programs in STEM
  • During the Cold War, the US had initiated education for national security–a lot of scientists and engineers in the space race were educated through this initiative
• The advantages of bringing the manufacturing back to the US

Links and Resources:

Connect with Dr. Rob Spalding on LinkedIn
Visit SEMPRE website
Read about the shortage of talents in the PCB industry in 15 years: In an Unpredictable World, PCB DESIGN ENGINEERING Stays Steady
US Government Calls for Revitalizing American PCB Manufacturing
Connect with Zack on LinkedIn
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Altium 365: Where the World Designs Electronics