OnTrack: The PCB Design Podcast

In this special episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, filmed live at PCB West 2024, Tech Consultant Zach Peterson chats PCB design and manufacturing challenges with Neil Chamberlain, Product Specialist at Polar Instruments. Neil shares his expert insights into the evolving landscape of PCB design, discussing critical topics like substitute materials, copper roughness, and the benefits of using tools that bridge the communication gap between designers and fabricators.

Discover how Polar Instruments has been leading the way for almost 50 years, and learn valuable tips to optimize your PCB designs.

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, Tech Consultant Zach Peterson and Phillip Gulley, co-founder of ‪@cofactr‬ chat about the critical topics of counterfeit detection and supply chain risks in the electronics industry. Recorded live at PCB West 2024, Phillip shares Cofactr’s approach to managing procurement, logistics, and ensuring the authenticity of electronic components.

Discover how Cofactr is helping companies tackle supply chain vulnerabilities by implementing rigorous counterfeit inspection methods, kitting solutions, and seamless integration with Altium 365.

Unlock the power of Altium 365 with automated requirements management! In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Louise Linblad, VP of Product for Systems Engineering, and Gonçalo Ivo, Head of Product for Requirements & Systems Portal, to explore the revolutionary new tool for automating requirements within the Altium ecosystem.

Discover how the Requirements & Systems Portal is designed to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and bring innovative solutions to life faster than ever before. Learn about the seamless integration of Valispace, and how this new feature is helping engineers connect requirements directly to CAD tools, enhancing collaboration and design accuracy.

Whether you're a product manager, system engineer, or electronic engineer, this episode is packed with insights on boosting your engineering efficiency with Altium 365.

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, Mike Tucker explores the world of HDI and manufacturing clashes and shares invaluable insights from his years of experience as Director of Engineering and Technology at Millennium Circuits. If you’re a PCB designer facing challenges with HDI design, manufacturing processes, or transitioning your prototypes to high-volume production, this video is packed with expert advice just for you!

Mike and host Tech Consultant Zach Peterson discuss the most common clashes between HDI design and manufacturing, how to avoid costly errors, and why understanding fabrication processes is crucial for your PCB success. Whether you're dealing with Class 2, Class 3, or beyond, Mike Tucker offers practical solutions to streamline your design-to-production journey.

Design for AI is at the forefront of the PCB design education revolution, driving a new era of innovation in how we approach electronics. In this episode of the Altium "OnTrack" podcast, Technical Consultant Zach Peterson sits down with John Watson, Altium's technical engineer and professor at Palomar Community College, to explore how AI is transforming the landscape of PCB design.

Discover how partnerships, like the one between Altium and Mouser, are playing a pivotal role in educating a new generation of PCB designers across the globe. John and Zach discuss the integration of AI into PCB design education, its impact on students and professionals alike, and what the future holds for the industry.

Explore how Altium Education is empowering the next generation of hardware designers in India and across the globe. In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, host Tech Consultant Zach Peterson explores scholarship opportunities, free training programs, and the partnership with Mouser Electronics to support students, particularly women, in the field of PCB design.

Guests in this Episode:

Rea Callendar, VP of Education at Altium, is a highly motivated results-oriented executive with an extensive background in educational leadership, strategic corporate development, and a passion for driving innovation in the education sector. 

Connect with Rea here: recallender

Watch Rea's Previous Episode:  Master the Basics of PCB Electronics

Megha Kurup, HR VP for Asia-Pacific at Mouser, is a results-oriented professional with high productivity and strong desire for success with broad regional and global HR experience to help support Organizations expanding business across Asia-Pacific.

Resources from this Episode:

- Altium Student Labs: https://www.altium.com/education/students

- Altium Education Center: https://www.altium.com/education/educators

- India Student Page: https://www.altium.com/in/education/students

Exclusive 15 Days Free Altium Designer Access:

https://www.altium.com/promotions/altium-academy

Join Tech Consultant Zach Peterson in this interview with Kris Moyer, an esteemed IPC instructor and seasoned PCB design expert. The pair cover a wide range of topics including IPC courses, PCB design practices, and advanced materials. Discover how IPC courses can elevate your PCB design skills, learn about best practices in high-speed digital design (as well as a few other types of design), and explore the challenges of working with advanced materials in the PCB industry.

Key Topics Covered:

- The importance of IPC courses for PCB designers

- Best practices in PCB design and signal integrity

- Overcoming challenges with high-speed digital design

- Understanding and utilizing advanced materials in PCB manufacturing

- Kris Moyer's career journey and industry insights

#PCBDesign #IPC #signalintegrity

Join us on the Altium OnTrack podcast as Zach Peterson sits down with Eliyahu Davis, the lead engineer at Deepview AI. The two explore the future of AI vision systems in manufacturing. Discover how Deepview AI is revolutionizing factory automation with advanced deep-learning cameras.

Key Takeaways:

-The role of sci-fi-inspired vision systems in manufacturing.

- Insights into Deepview AI’s groundbreaking products.

- The impact of AI on factory automation and efficiency.

- Eliyahu Davis’s background and contributions to the field.

#FactoryAutomation #DeepLearning #ComputerVision

Discover how software-defined vehicles are revolutionizing the automotive industry!

Join Tech Consultant Zach Peterson in this episode of the OnTrack Podcast as he chats with Lenora Clark, Director of Autonomous Driving and Safety Technology at MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions. The pair explore the latest advancements in autonomous driving, advanced automotive electronics, and the incredible technologies that are shaping the future of cars. From human-machine interfaces to EV charging infrastructure, this interview covers it all!

Key Topics:

- The evolution of software-defined vehicles

- Autonomous driving technology

- Integration of advanced electronics in modern cars

- The future of automotive innovations

Welcome to the Altium "OnTrack Podcast," hosted by Zach Peterson. In this episode, we're joined by Joost Brilman, an EMC consultant and creator of the EMI Buster weekly email. Joost and Zach discuss the common pitfalls in electronics design, particularly with pre-certified modules, and how they can lead to EMI issues. Joost shares valuable tips for troubleshooting and preventing EMI problems, as well as insights into a career in EMC consulting.

Key Topics:

- Why pre-certified modules might not be foolproof workarounds for ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE.

- Common EMI PITFALLS in electronics design

- Practical EMI TIPS for EMC COMPLIANCE

- EMI CAREERS and career advice for aspiring EMC consultants

About Joost Brilman: Joost is an EMI buster. He reduces and prevents electronic interference as EMC consultant. He assists many hardware development companies in passing EMC requirements. Previously active as an electronics developer with a background in Power Electronics, causing a lot of EMI.

#EMIPitfalls #EMCTips #ElectronicsDesign #EMCConsultant #JoostBrilman

Welcome to the Altium OnTrack Podcast! Today, we are joined by Ethan Pierce, founder of Dodec Labs. He and host Zach Peterson explore the intricacies of thermal management in PCB design. If you’ve ever faced issues with overheating PCBs or want to enhance your PCB thermal design skills, this episode is a must-watch!

Episode Highlights:

• Importance of early thermal problem identification
• Effective PCB THERMAL DESIGN and simulation techniques
• Real-world examples and lessons from PCB East
• Strategies for optimal heat dissipation and management
• THERMAL DESIGN OPTIMIZATION Insights from industry experts

Don't miss out on these valuable tips and tricks to ensure your PCB designs run cool and efficiently. 

Explore the fascinating evolution of signal integrity in PCB design with industry expert Donald Telian. In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, Donald delves into the differences between modern and old school signal integrity, sharing invaluable insights from his illustrious career. Learn about IBIS modeling, high-speed design, and the critical advancements that have shaped the industry.

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, host Tech Consultant Zach Peterson explores the fascinating world of Edge AI and how Large Language Models (LLMs) fit into the picture with Jan Jongboom, co-founder of Edge Impulse. The two discuss the evolution from GPT-2 to GPT-4, the importance of edge computing, and the hardware requirements for running AI on edge devices. Discover how reducing the size of LLMs enables efficient deployment on edge devices, gain insights into the practical applications of AI in various industries, and learn about EDGE IMPULSE.

More resources:

• Getting started w/ Edge Impulse on Renesas platforms
• Connect with Jan on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Edge Impulse
• Check out a recent video from Edge Impulse: Using GPT-4o to train a 2,000,000x smaller model (that runs directly on device)
• Exclusive 15 Days Free Altium Designer Access

Learn about the complexities of dielectric anisotropy and its implications for high-speed PCB designs in this week’s OnTrack podcast episode. Don't miss this engaging and informative discussion.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn about the different dielectric constants in PCB materials.
• Discover how anisotropic properties affect transmission line modeling in PCB LAMINATES.
• Gain practical knowledge for achieving better signal integrity in your PCB designs
• The critical aspects of signal integrity in modern electronics

More Resources:

• Lansim Enterprises: http://www.lamsimenterprises.com/
• Connect with Bert on LinkedIn 
• Check out this article the importance of Signal Integrity for High Speed Designs
• Check out this article about PCB Material Selection

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Lukas Henkel from Open Visions Technology to explore two groundbreaking open source projects: an open source laptop and an alternative to the Raspberry Pi CM4 module. 

Discover the latest advancements in OPEN SOURCE hardware and learn how these innovative projects are pushing the boundaries of DIY computing.

Episode Highlights:

• Webcam Design: challenges and innovations in designing an open-source webcam for laptops.
• Laptop Design Challenges: key obstacles faced during the development of an open-source laptop.
• Lessons Learned from Laptop Project: insights and takeaways from working on the open-source laptop project.
• Advice for Taking On This Kind of Project: recommendations and guidance for individuals looking to start similar projects.
• Open Source Raspberry Pi Overview and Demo: overview and demonstration of using Raspberry Pi in open-source projects.

More Resources:

• Check out our previous podcast episode with Lukas Henkel
• Open Source Laptop Project 
• Pi.MX8 Project
• Follow Lukas on LinkedIn
• Follow Open Visions on LinkedIn

• Exclusive 15 Days Free Altium Designer Access

Welcome to the OnTrack Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the vibrant electronics culture with special guests Inga Woods-Waight and Joel Higgins from the Circuit Pulse Show. Discover how they are making ELECTRONICS CULTURE and tech fun and accessible, engaging younger audiences, and revolutionizing educational content in the electronics industry. If you're passionate about electronics design and want to stay updated on industry trends, this episode is a must-watch!

Key Takeaways:

• PCB design insights and tips

• Engaging content for the electronics community

• The rise of educational electronics videos

• Inga and Joel's journey and success stories

More Resources:

• Follow Inga Woods-Waight on LinkedIn
• Octopart's YouTube Channel
• Check Out Full Episodes of the Circuit Pulse Show
• Interested in the topic of electronics culture? Check out this past episode of OnTrack on the topic of microelectronics. 
• Exclusive 15 Days Free Altium Designer Access

Join host Zach Peterson on The OnTrack Podcast as he has a fascinating conversation with Greg Bailey, President of GreenArrays, Inc. Discover the innovative ways technology is advancing towards a more energy-efficient future. In this episode, we explore the impact of IoT and AI on energy consumption, the challenges of power management in tech, and the solutions that are shaping a sustainable world.

Episode Highlights:

• The role of IoT in leading toward an ENERGY EFFICIENT TECH FUTURE.
• Insights into AI's impact on power usage across industries.
• Greg Bailey's expert take on supervisory control systems and their benefits.
• Strategies for reducing energy waste in everyday tech applications.

More Resources:

• Learn More about GreenArrays, Inc
• Learn More about Charles Moore
• Connect with Greg Bailey: greg@greenarraychips.com
• Exclusive 15 Days Free Altium Designer Access: 

Join Tech Consultant Zach Peterson on this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast where EMC troubleshooting expert Min Zhang explores the complexities of measuring ground in electronic systems using both voltage and current methods. With his profound expertise and practical insights, Min provides a comprehensive breakdown of the techniques and tools necessary for accurate measurements, especially in high-power applications.

Episode Highlights: 

• In this episode you'll learn: 
  • The impact of frequency on the cost and selection of multi-gigahertz probes.
  • Detailed explanations of VOLTAGE TESTING and MEASURING GROUND techniques in EMC applications.
  • Insights into the challenges and solutions for measuring high-frequency transient events.
• What the technical challenges are in measuring GROUNDING SYSTEMS using differences between circuit points.
• The importance of selecting the right probe based on voltage levels and measurement environment.
• Techniques to minimize noise and ensure accurate readings in noisy industrial environments.

Further Resources:

• Connect with Min Zhang on LinkedIn
• EMC and Compliance International is the UK's premier independent trade show specializing in every facet of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and compliance. It features exhibitors from a variety of sectors such as electronics, electrical, industrial, aerospace, medical, and military. Check out their website here.
• Information on EMC and Compliance International's Training Program
• Exclusive 15 Days Free Altium Designer Access

On this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, Tech Consultant Zach Peterson welcomes Anton Tishchenko, aka Dr. EMC on YouTube. The two explore the intricacies of EMC design, certification, and compliance.

They chat about various aspects of EMC testing, common mistakes in PCB design, AI-integration, and how modules and antennas play a huge role in EMC compliance. Anton also shares his journey into EMC, how to approach design testing effectively, and insights into his fascinating PhD research.

Key Highlights:

• Strategies for effective EMC compliance

• Common mistakes in PCB design and how to avoid them

• The role of AI in PCB design checks

• EMC testing has a 50% failure rate on first attempts.

• Comprehensive design strategies can prevent costly EMC failures.

• Modules and antenna setups can greatly impact EMC compliance.

More Resources:

• Learn More about  Anton's PCB Tool
• Connect with Anton on LinkedIn
• Check Out the Dr. EMC YouTube Channel
• Anton's university page
• Exclusive 15 Days Free Altium Designer Access

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Jan Vardaman, president and founder of TechSearch International. With decades of experience in semiconductor packaging, Jan shares her expert insights into the global semiconductor industry, focusing on the shift away from Asia for advanced manufacturing and the critical need for an integrated supply chain in the U.S.

This episode not only highlights the technological and industrial shifts in semiconductor packaging but also discusses the economic and policy dimensions affecting the sector. 

Key topics covered include:

• The transition of high-end semiconductor packaging from Asia to other regions like Taiwan and Korea.
• The impact of new facilities in Malaysia on the global supply chain.
• The role and challenges of the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing program in the U.S.
• Detailed discussions on substrate manufacturing and advanced assembly operations outside China.
• The significance of workforce development in sustaining local manufacturing initiatives.
• Future trends and strategies for semiconductor fabrication and assembly in North America.

More Resources:

• Follow Jan on LinkedIn

• Learn More about TechSearch International

• Exclusive 15 Days Free Altium Designer Access