PCB Tech Talk

The lack of SI validation is one of the key reasons that PCB designs fail in the field. Many PCB tools lack the SI functionality necessary to detect and prevent these failures. Today, even the smallest of IoT PCB designs can benefit from or require some level of SI analysis. But for moderate and more complex designs, SI analysis is a must. The good news is, with modern tools, you don’t have to be an SI expert to run SI analysis on your designs. To see how PADS Professionals Signal Integrity Analysis capabilities empower small teams, independent designers and engineers to fast-forward product creation with powerful PCB design features that give you a competitive advantage by reducing your product design cycles and avoid costly design respins check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below. On-Demand Webinar: Your PCB Designs Need SI Analysis & You Don’t Need to be an Expert! eBook: Signal Integrity Analysis: Essential For Modern Electronic Product Designs On-Demand Webinar: Automated Rule Checking for Faster Time to Market Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!  

Hear what Technical Marketing Engineer Shivani Joshi thinks about the PADS Professional Student Edition, as well as the PADS Professional Design Competition in this podcast. Also for students this year - Mentor, a Siemens Business is sponsoring a PCB design competition in which entrants can submit any electronics design they feel highlights their PCB design knowledge and engineering skills. You must use PADS Professional Student Edition for your design. Four industry expert judges will score your design based on criteria including complexity and manufacturability. The winning design will receive an Oculus Quest!  Also, the Top-10 ranked student designs will receive a “PCB Design Excellence” certificate signed by the Senior Vice President of the Electronic Board System division. Check out the PADS Comparison paper on pads.com!  Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

As a PCB designer, we're always looking for a better, faster and reliable way to get our job done. If the tool we're using does not have the required automation - we often end up using time consuming work-a-rounds to complete our projects. These work-a-rounds usually require error prone manual steps that can lead to longer design cycles which can impact project schedules. Though companies strive to pick the proper design tools that give them the technology they need to create designs, many don't always think about the next generation or emerging technologies. Your PCB designs will inevitably change over the years as new technology allows you to create a smarter, more reliable and cost reduce product. As such, the tools we chose several years ago or perhaps the tool you are considering today may not have the capability or automation required for today's design. That is, a tool that can ensure that you meet all the design requirements, reliability and tight schedules required for today’s fast-paced technology world. To see how PADS Professional’s PCB via, routing and constraint area capabilities empower you to accelerate PCB Design and ensure reliability to get you a competitive advantage in designing products check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below. On-Demand Webinar: Routing Capabilities You Need to Accelerate PCB Design and Reliability White Paper: Is Your PCB Design Tools up to Speed? (A Tool Comparison) White Paper: 10 Reasons to Choose PADS Professional  Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download Student Version: PADS Professional Student Edition Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

The foundation for ultra-fast download speeds, reliable low latency connections, and connectivity to billions of IoT devices coming online over the next years relies greatly on 5G. Design for devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and wearables will need to operate in new spectrum with new enabling technologies. With scalable numerology, flexible waveforms, and new spectrum, 5G provides a robust framework to address the many different use cases for 5G Companies that master 5G and 5G NR complexities in RF PCB design will accelerate their design cycles, deployment and time to market. To see how PADS Professional’s RF-centric PCB design capabilities can get you a competitive advantage in designing products with RF check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below. On-Demand Webinar: RF Design Challenges for PCB: Are you ready for 5G for IoT? eBook:  RF Design: Accelerating RF PCB Design in a 5G World Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

From Artificial intelligence – to Augmented Reality – the Internet of Things - 5G – DDR5 – and beyond – the future of electronics in everything is an exciting, challenging and competitive industry to be involved in. It’s pretty incredible how far electronics products have come in the past decade and I can only imagine what the next decade holds for electronics design. To learn more about the modern PCB design technologies mentioned in this episode check out the resources listed below. The Complete Design Solution: Reduce Design Time Using Routing Automation Aberdeen Study: Improving Profitability With PCB Design Best Practices  Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

DFM issues are all too common, from PCB layout to manufacture and testing. In fact, a single fabrication holdup can cost you untold amounts in lost productivity. Having integrated DFM analysis allows you to identify and correct potential fabrication and assembly issues in the design database before they ever hit the production floor. Without DFM analysis, you are essentially leaving changes in the fabricators hands, where the focus is often on increasing fabrication yield, not on the electrical performance of the final product. Learn how PADS Professional can empower you to address DFM design challenges in this on-demand webinar and other resources listed below.   On-Demand Webinar: Perfecting Your PCB with DFM Analysis Infographic Perfecting Your PCB with DFM Analysis PADS Professional Capabilities: Webinars, Infographics, Podcasts and more! Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

DDR is everywhere. From wearable devices to automobiles, DDR memory is quickly becoming the standard for SoC applications. Efficient DDR design can help you meet the demand for swift product development and reduced operating costs. Stay a step ahead with the wide range of features in PADS Professional that are designed to enable you to create, simulate and verify DDR interfaces.   Learn how PADS Professional can empower you to take on DDR design challenges check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below.   On-Demand Webinar: Stay Ahead of the Curve with Full-Range DDR Design Capabilities eBook: The DDRx Memory Interface is The Most Complicated Modern Bus PADS Professional Capabilities: Webinars, Infographics, Podcasts and more! Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download   Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes

The foundation for ultra-fast download speeds, reliable low latency connections, and connectivity to billions of IoT devices coming online over the next years relies greatly on 5G. Design for devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and wearables will need to operate in new spectrum with new enabling technologies. With scalable numerology, flexible waveforms, and new spectrum, 5G provides a robust framework to address the many different use cases for 5G Companies that master 5G and 5G NR complexities in RF PCB design will accelerate their design cycles, deployment and time to market. To see how PADS Professional’s RF-centric PCB design capabilities can get you a competitive advantage in designing products with RF check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below.   On-Demand Webinar: RF Design Challenges for PCB: Are you ready for 5G for IoT? eBook:  RF Design: Accelerating RF PCB Design in a 5G World Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download   Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Did you know that lack SI validation is one of the key reasons why designs fail in the field?  That’s why 75% of Best-in Class companies implement SI analysis. In today’s high-tech PCB designs nearly every PCB can benefit from Signal Integrity Simulation and Analysis. In fact, it’s not a luxury; it’s a critical step in the product design process. SI analysis not only ensures that design constraints meet product performance requirements - but also prevents you from over-constraining your PCB designs and alone increases project success by more than 18%!   To see how PADS Professionals Signal Integrity Analysis capabilities empower small teams, independent designers and engineers to fast-forward product creation with powerful PCB design features that give you a competitive advantage by reducing your product design cycles and avoid costly design respins check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below.   On-Demand Webinar: Signal Integrity Analysis Essentials eBook: Signal Integrity Analysis: Essential For Modern Electronic Product Designs Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download   Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!  

From cellphones and wearables and in every industry for today’s competitive electronics products, bringing products to market fast and first is critical for success. What you may not know is - If you’re not using advanced techniques for things like high-speed routing and tuning, placement planning groups, design reuse, plane generation automation and many more - that it can delay your design completion time up to 70% or more!  Are you giving your competition a competitive advantage? To see how PADS Professionals advanced PCB design capabilities empower small teams, independent designers and engineers to fast-forward product creation with powerful PCB design features that give you a competitive advantage by reducing your product design cycles and avoid costly design respins check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below. On-Demand Webinar: The Game Changers: Advanced PCB Layout Techniques eBook: 10 PCB Design Tool Accelerators That Get Your Products to Market Faster Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download   Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!  

Did you know that Behavioral verification, scenario exploration, and component optimization are critical to ensuring design intent, performance, and reliability for Analog mixed-signal circuits? For nearly every modern digital device, Engineers must design it to interact with people, the analog world around it, or both.  And the pathway for getting information into and back out of our modern digital devices is the domain of analog, mixed-signal. PADS Professionals AMS is configured specifically to deliver the technology and feature depth needed to solve today’s circuit-design challenges. The Analog Mixed-signal Design solution combines powerful schematic design capabilities with an advanced simulation and virtual-prototyping environment that is seamless and accurately represents both its electronic and mechanical elements in a tightly integrated workflow. To learn more about the Analog Mixed-signal (AMS) capabilities demonstrated in this episode check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below. On-Demand Webinar: Solving Analog Mixed-signal Challenges eBook: Analog Mixed-Signal Simulation Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download The Free Cloud-Based Simulation Tool: https://www.systemvision.com/   Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!  

Did you know that the global demand for flexible electronics is expected to reach $24.78 billion by 2026? From cellphones to wearables and to IoT devices and in every industry more and more products are requiring both static and dynamic rigid-flexible circuits than ever. In fact, rigid-flex design not only eliminates connectors and improves the performance and reliability of your electronics designs it empowers companies to meet today’s most challenging form-factor requirements. In this special “After the Webinar” podcast series we answer the questions addressed during our recent live webinar event presenting how the advanced rigid-flex design capabilities in PADS Professional simplifies the design process. To learn more about the Rigid-flex capabilities demonstrated in this episode check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below. On-Demand Webinar: Everything You Need to Know About Rigid-Flex PCB Design Demo Video: An Awesome Rigid-Flex PCB Design Video Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download   Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Did you know, that on average, PCB designs undergo as many as 3 respins at an average cost of nearly $28,000 per respin due to undetected electrical rule violations that affect design integrity and performance? In this special “After the Webinar” podcast series we answer the questions addressed during our recent live webinar events presenting how PADS Professionals’ can ensure your project will meet its performance, time-to-market and cost goals by catching those electrical DRC’s that other tools can’t. To learn more about the Electrical-DRC capabilities demonstrated in this episode check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below. On-Demand Webinar: Automated Rule Checking for Faster Time to Market Demo Video: Solving E-DRC Issues Early in Your Design Process Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download   Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Did you know that intelligent automated placement and routing can accelerate your design cycle times by 25-50% or more? You can eliminate issues due to collision and space constraints as well. In this special “After the Webinar” podcast series, we will answer the questions submitted during our most recent live webinar. Learn how PADS Professionals’ Routing Automation can accelerate your design cycles while improving quality with automated, 3D-eneabled, interactive placing and routing.   To learn more about the Routing Automation demonstrated in this episode check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below. On-Demand Webinar: Reduce Design Time Using Routing Automation eBook: Routing automation: Accelerate design time and increase product quality Demo video: Interactive PCB Routing and Placement Try for free: PADS Professional Evaluation Download   Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

To learn more about MCAD Collaboration and Co-Design described in this episode check out the on-demand webinar and other resources listed below. On-Demand Webinar: Electro-mechanical Co-design for Competitive Advantage White Paper: Bridging the Gap Between ECAD and MCAD Domains to Gain a Competitive Advantage in Electronic Product Design Datasheet: PADS MCAD Collaboration Did you know that today’s best-in-class companies are getting their electronics products to market faster by implementing synchronized ECAD/MCAD data exchange and co-design advantages in their design flow? In this special “After the Webinar” podcast series we answer the questions submitted during our recent live webinar event presenting how PADS Professionals’ MCAD Collaborator and co-design functionality breaks down the barriers between PCB design and mechanical design domains, accelerates time-to-market, eliminates design respins and reduces product cost. Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Full show notes: Today, designing printed circuit boards in 3D is not the exception – it’s the norm. The same can now be said for many different areas in PCB design from part selection to the end products fabrication and assembly – So, what are the new exceptions – the new norms, the “game changers”, the “disruptive” emerging “shift-left” technologies in EDA?  Well, let’s talk about it! To learn more about these “game changing”, “shift-left” product design technologies described in this episode, check out the following resources. For more information on this topic: Whitepaper: Integrated Verification: A Shift-Left Solution for a More Efficient Design Flow Whitepaper: Closing the Gaps between PCB Layout Design and Manufacturing On Demand Webinar: Optimizing the Multi-Board Systems Design Process Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes

Full show notes: Is design verification at the schematic level, before you take any steps into the PCB layout phase in the PCB design flow, possible? In PCB design, we are all too familiar with layout design rule checks, even post-layout design for manufacturing, design for assembly and design-for-test checks. Many of us are even familiar with electrical design rule checks. But what about checks that look at the schematic before layout?  In this episode, John takes a look at schematic analysis, and various checks you can run in any schematic capture tool to save your design team hundreds of hours in manual inspection and rework.  For more information on this topic: Schematic Analysis Web Presentation: Schematic verification for any PCB design flow White Paper: Eliminate Schematic Design Errors with Automated Verification Aberdeen Study  Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

In the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), ‘smart’ technologies have gone far beyond phones, enhancing products in all aspects of our lives. New technologies, such as augmented and virtual reality, can now be found in our living rooms and existing technologies are being upgraded and enhanced with bleeding-edge capabilities. So what might be coming down the road? In this episode, John explores some of the products and technologies that are evolving and emerging and some of the key technologies and products being developed by today’s electronics companies. For more information on this topic: White Paper: 7 Design Aspects of IoT PCB Designs White Paper: Why Printed Circuit Board Design Matters to the Executive: How PCBs Are a Strategic Asset for Cost Reduction and Faster Time-to-Market Article: Designing PCB’s for the Internet  Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Electrical sign-off has become, more than ever, a critical part of the PCB design process. Manually doing this, as has traditionally been done, is time consuming, error prone, and requires expert knowledge in areas like Signal Integrity, Power Integrity, and Electromagnetic Integrity.  In this episode, John discusses the advantages of automated EDRC (Electrical Design Rule Checking), and their ability to increase the efficiency and quality of PCB’s while reducing errors and decreasing time to market.  For more information on this topic: Download: FREE HyperLynx DRC tool Video: HyperLynx DRC Overview Whitepaper: Discover Unknown PCB Design Issues with HyperLynx DRC  Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Designing a PCB is similar to a complex puzzle, except there’s no picture on the box to follow. Every step taken must be done purposefully, and requires extensive knowledge of electronic design and industry best practices. In this episode, John talks about seven shared habits that PCB Designers exhibit when they study, prepare, visualize, strategize, and complete PCB Designs. For more information on this topic: Whitepaper: 7 Habits of Highly Efficient PCB Designers Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Are you taking advantage of these PCB design accelerators? Are you taking steps to reduce your PCB design cycle and avoid fabrication delays?  In this episode, John talks about some key areas in PCB design that can help accelerate product design and launch to market. Link: Free reference designs Article: 6 Pillars of PCB DFMA Success Whitepaper: 100 Ways To Ensure DFM Optimization In Your Desktop PCB Design Process Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Engineers, PCB designers, business execs, and even marketing and sales teams all understand the value in both time and cost savings for first pass success of printed circuit board designs. And, release dates are critical to the success of a product. In this episode, John explores design for manufacturing analysis. What defines a best-in-class design flow? What steps should be taken to achieve first pass design success? Printed Circuit Design & Fab article: 6 Pillars of DfMA Success Aberdeen tech paper: Why Printed Circuit Board Design Matters to the Executive On-demand webinar: Implementing Lean Manufacturing in Your Current PADS Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Where does collaboration with MCAD fit into your PCB design flow? Are you still encountering communication barriers between electrical and mechanical domains? In this episode, John McMillan talks about the evolution of the handoff between MCAD to ECAD and the advances that make collaboration more efficient than ever before. ProSTEP iViP    Whitepaper:Removing the Gap Between ECAD and MCAD Design  Video: Communicate with any MCAD vendor Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Host John McMillan talks about EDA industry updates including cool gadgets, 2016 technology and EDA events, EDA industry news, and 01005 chips. Don’t miss the first PCB Tech Talk giveaway! Details included in this episode. Be sure to include #pcbtechtalk in all your podcast-related tweets! Events and articles mentioned: Computer Electronics Show 2016 DesignCon 2016 January 19-21 SMTA “Pan Pacific” Microelectronics Symposium 2016 January 25-28 IPC APEX EXPO 2016 March 13-17 Internet of Things World 2016 May 10-12 PCB West 2016 September 13-15; abstract submissions due February 5Bottom of Formth SMTA International 2016 September 25-29  PCB Carolina 2016 November 2 References: Printed Circuit Design & Fab 10 best-read articles in 2015 EDA CONSORTIUM Report   Addressing Your Comments and Questions on the Aging PCB Design Workforce Bureau of Labor and Statistics Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Listen in as podcast host John McMillan and guest David Wiens discuss PCB design industry trends over the years and specifically new trends and challenges showing up in the most recent Technology Leadership Awards design competition submissions. Topics in this episode include: IoT Density Size, time, and cost constraints Speed, performance, and functionality Complexity Clean power Minimizing voltage drop New technology adoption And many more Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Having a 3D view in PCB design tools is not new. However, 3D capabilities have greatly evolved over the past five years or so. What was once a “nicety” is now vital to the PCB design work environment. Join host John McMillan as he discusses why 3D is becoming (or perhaps already is) the layout environment of choice. What advantages have you noticed with 3D? Links: 5 Key Advantages of 3D PCB Layout Surfing Video (view with mobile device for 360 experience) Try 3D PCB design for free Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any future episodes!

Join host John McMillan and producer Brittany Bach as they discuss listener comments in response to episode three: Are PCB Designers Becoming an Endangered Species? How is it that there are a variety of opinions as to what PCB Design is? PCB design education and training trends Are apprenticeships necessary? Are HR teams lacking understanding when it comes to hiring? What training is foundational for PCB Design? Are companies unwilling to invest enough in training new recruits? Fresh Faces in the Design Community, PCB&F, 2014 PCB Designer Annual Survey How did you learn PCB layout?, EDN Network LinkedIn Group Discussion, Old Timers PCB Designer Group Thanks to all our listeners for making PCB Tech Talk a top featured podcast in the Software How-to New and Noteworthy section on iTunes! Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com.

In this episode, I speak with special guest, David Wiens (Business Development Manager, System Design Division at Mentor Graphics) about PCB industry trends and the 26th annual Technology Leadership Awards (TLAs). The longest running competition of its kind, the TLAs recognize engineers and CAD designers who use innovative technology to address today’s complex PCB systems design challenges. Dave and I talk about various aspects of the competition as well as the trends that are revealed through the new submissions each year. So, listen in for details and then gather up your best designs from the past year. Oh, and tell your friends who you know created some impressive work too. A little healthy competition amongst friends is a good thing, right? Plus, there are some great prizes for the winners. Contest categories: Computers, blade and servers, memory systems Consumer electronics and handheld Industrial control, instrumentation, security and medical Military and aerospace Semiconductor packaging Telecom, network controllers, line cards Transportation and automotive Trust me, you don't want to don't talk yourself out of submitting your design(s) because you think they may not be technically complex enough to submit. The judging criteria spans beyond size and density. Who knows, you could be among the next set of winners! Where to go next: Learn more and watch the TLA video on the TLA page Start the entry process Check out the previous winners Read Vern Wnek’s blog posts about the TLAs Have questions, topics of interest, or a guest recommendation? Send them to pcb_techtalk@mentor.com so that we can feature them in future episodes. Guest Bio: David Wiens joined Mentor Graphics in 1999 through the acquisition of VeriBest. Over the past 25 years, he has held various engineering, marketing and management positions within the EDA industry. His focus areas have included advanced packaging, high-speed design, routing technology and integrated systems design. He holds a B.S. in computer science from the University of Kansas.

In this episode, I talk about the PCB design profession and, perhaps, bust the myth that PCB designers are quickly becoming a vanishing breed. Where did the PCB designers with 25 plus years of experience come from?  When they retire, who will replace them?  How did they learn what they know about PCB design and how will those skills be passed on to the next generation of PCB designers? Join me as I discuss these questions and more, looking into who the majority of today’s PCB designers are, who the next generation of PCB designers may be, and also where they may be coming from and how they might get there.   Have questions or topics of interest? Interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us at pcb_techtalk@mentor.com.   Fresh Faces in the Design Community, PCB&F, 2014 PCB Designer Annual Survey How did you learn PCB layout?, EDN Network   LinkedIn Group Discussion, Old Timers PCB Designer Group    

Ask any PCB designer what the foundation or building blocks are for printed circuit board designs and you'll get the same answer - "the component land patterns."  No matter what you call them – land patterns, footprints, decals, package symbols, etc. – what really matters is that they are accurate. If land patterns are wrong, your PCB gets fabricated, and then a placement problem is discovered during assembly, you’ve most likely just wasted a lot of time and money. “The catalyst for some of the best design processes come out of learning from mistakes.”  So, why does it happen? Are there ever errors in the datasheet? Do people make mistakes?  Yes! And, yes! Is there a process or procedure missing that could have prevented it?  Let’s talk about it!  In this podcast I discuss some different ways that you can ensure that these foundational building blocks for your PCB designs are strong including: ·        The QA process ·        Tools used specifically for creating quality land patterns ·        Some reliable resources and tools that can ensure designs are correct-by-construction Let’s ensure that dreaded calls from the PCB assembly house are avoided! For more on this topic, check out these white papers: ·       Six Things You Want to Have in Your Desktop PCB Design Library ·       The Game Changer: Pre-Qualified PCB Libraries You’ll Use Today Have questions or topics of interest? Add them in the comments below or send them to pcb_techtalk@mentor.com so that we can feature them in future episodes.   

The NEW Path To PCB Routing Success Ask any PCB designer you know about autorouters and you’ll likely get the same response, “they just don’t get the job done.” You’ll often hear that autorouter results “aren’t good enough or even close” to being comparable to what PCB designers know they can accomplished with hand routing. Packing 10lbs in a 5lb Bag Fact is, when we break up todays PCB design cycle into individual tasks – like library development, schematic, component placement, pre-routes, etc., one of the biggest, if not the biggest chunks of time we spend on the design is with design connectivity. That is, turning all those rats, thousands even tens of thousands in many cases into traces. Oh, and if things weren’t already tough enough how about adding rules and constraints to 90 percent of those nets! Rules on EVERY net?  So what! With designs becoming more complex, rules on nearly every net, and PCBs becoming smaller and denser every year, autorouting designs is not getting any easier. But, imagine this -- a new technology, one that combines automatic routing power with user-controlled interactive routing. That is, a technology capable of producing the same high-quality results that are achieved with hand routing. Seeing is believing! Sound interesting? Listen to John’s podcast and you’ll learn about a new technology called Sketch Routing. If this short demo video just looks too good to be true, then test drive it yourself in the cloud with this free virtual lab.