Podcast appearances and mentions of zach peterson

EMC testing is one of the toughest hurdles in PCB design, with industry pass rates often falling below 50% and every failure triggering expensive respins. In this OnTrack Podcast episode, host Zach Peterson sits down with Andy Eadie—owner of EMC FastPass and founder of Engentica—to unpack why so many products fail electromagnetic compatibility testing on the first attempt, and what designers can do to get it right up front instead of budgeting for inevitable rework. The conversation digs into the growing role of AI in hardware design: where machine learning genuinely accelerates simulation, signal integrity, and power integrity work, and why a fully generative "design my circuit board" tool is still a long way off. Andy also demos Engentica, an AI-powered design co-pilot that runs compliance-focused checks on schematics and layout, lets engineers investigate EMC risks in natural language, and scales hardware design expertise across an organization. Whether you're a hardware engineer, EMC consultant, or software founder building your first custom PCB, this episode is packed with practical insight on respins, pre-compliance testing, and the future of electronics design.

Altium Develop unites your design, sourcing, and manufacturing teams in one cloud platform so EMC and layout problems get caught long before your board ever reaches the test house: https://www.altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=ontrack-podcast&utm_content=70-of-pcbs-fail-emc-testing-and-ai-is-making-it-worse EMC testing failure rates are climbing toward 70%, and on this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with EMC expert Dr. Anton Tishchenko to unpack why — and what role AI is really playing in modern PCB design. They cut through the AI hype, explaining why large language models will confidently hand you a bad PCB layout, why setting up constraints is "garbage in, garbage out," and why hardware is heading for the same reckoning software already faced. If your boards keep failing radiated emissions, this conversation explains where the real problems start. Anton also demos his web-based EMC analysis tool (pcb4emc.com), an EMC design rule check that works directly from Gerber files — no schematics, no NDAs, no sensitive data required. You'll see how it evaluates ground plane quality, differential and single-ended impedance, return paths, and crosstalk risk using the 3W rule, plus a frank discussion of coplanar waveguides, stackup awareness, and where AI genuinely helps engineers (datasheet summaries, literature reviews, and simulation enhancement) versus where it falls flat. Essential viewing for any PCB designer serious about EMC compliance.

TODAY'S QUESTION: G-Men, After years of artful avoidance, I ran into my next-door neighbor in the alley, and he introduced himself. This neighbor — I'll call him “Handyman Ron” here — now waves at me every single time I see him, and it's become something of a daily obligation to wave back. What can I do to convince him that I am a sociopath so that he never waves - or makes eye contact with me - ever again?” John Moore LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See the Grawlix live at the Bug Theatre on Saturday, May 30th with Zach Peterson, Laura Peek, and Leah Althoff!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us for show dates and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam Cayton-Holland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Roy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Andrew Orvedahl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Grawlix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support this podcast on Patreon to get ad-free episodes, bonus videos, exclusive merch, birthday shout-outs and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who to choose when your friends get divorced.  TODAY'S QUESTION: Dear Talktors, here is my dilemma. My wife and I are very close friends with a couple who just recently got divorced. We love both parties, but they do not care to be near one another. We love to go out dancing, and these two were always down to join us. However, since they are no longer together, neither of them want to go dancing, out of fear of running into the other at the club.  Now we don't get to go dancing with either of them! The zenith of this problem is that I have a milestone birthday coming up and I want to see them both at the party, but I'm afraid neither will show because of the aforementioned situation. What should I do? Yours truly, Custody Battle for Besties LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See the Grawlix live at the Bug Theatre on Saturday, May 30th with Zach Peterson, Laura Peek, and Leah Althoff!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us for show dates and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam Cayton-Holland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Roy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Andrew Orvedahl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Grawlix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support this podcast on Patreon to get ad-free episodes, bonus videos, exclusive merch, birthday shout-outs and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Signal integrity engineers working on high-speed serial links, Ethernet, USB, PCI Express, and DDR memory interfaces need powerful simulation tools, but commercial software licenses can be cost-prohibitive. In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with David Banas, Solutions Engineer at Keysight, to explore three open-source Python packages that are transforming how engineers approach serial link simulation, IBIS-AMI model testing, and channel operating margin analysis. David walks through PyBERT, his most popular tool, demonstrating live how it handles eye diagrams, bathtub curves, jitter analysis, and equalization techniques like CTLE, DFE, and TX de-emphasis.   The pair explore PyIBIS, a Python tool for IBIS-AMI model developers, demonstrating its capabilities in analyzing signal transmission parameters. They look at how it helps debug models and apply equalization techniques to address signal distortion. Understanding this tool is crucial for effective data transmission analysis and ensuring signal integrity, especially when working with complex designs in Altium Designer or Cadence Design Systems.  

We slip and slide into the infamous subreddit "Am I The Asshole?" to issue some guerrilla advice. LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See the Grawlix live at the Bug Theatre on Saturday, May 30th with Zach Peterson, Laura Peek, and Leah Althoff!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us for show dates and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam Cayton-Holland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Roy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Andrew Orvedahl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Grawlix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support this podcast on Patreon to get ad-free episodes, bonus videos, exclusive merch, birthday shout-outs and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ***LINKS*** Vote for your favorite advice, watch bonus videos and more on our Patreon page! (  htt/grawlixsaves  ) See the Grawlix live at the Bug Theatre on Saturday, March 28th with Kristen Toomey and Sami Beason (https://thegrawlix.ticketsauce.com) Follow us for show dates and more: • Adam Cayton-Holland (https://adamcaytonholland.com/) • Ben Roy (https://benroycomedy.com) • Andrew Orvedahl (  / theorvedahl  ) • The Grawlix (https://thegrawlix.com/) Got a question? Email us: question@advicefight.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, Zach Peterson sits down with Gabriel Guglielmi, VP of Global Product Management at Infinite Electronics, to explore one of the most disruptive shifts in electronics today: the rise of unmanned systems. From group one commercial drones to group five collaborative combat aircraft, Gabriel breaks down how the same revolution that transformed the space industry through SpaceX is now reshaping aerospace, defense, public safety, and consumer delivery. Learn why interconnect technology has become just as critical as semiconductor performance, and how a new generation of startups is compressing decades-long development cycles down to mere months.   The conversation digs deep into the supply chain challenges facing US and allied drone manufacturers, the FCC's part 108 regulations, the Department of War's Drone Dominance program, and why companies like Neros and Infinite Electronics see massive opportunity in rebuilding a friendly-nation supply chain. Gabriel also shares his thoughts on humanoid robotics, counter-drone systems, drone racing, agricultural applications, and the emerging low-altitude economy that could rival the internet revolution of the 1990s. Whether you design RF systems, work in aerospace and defense, or just want to understand where electronics is headed, this episode delivers a clear-eyed view of an industry being born in real time.  

How to induce a midlife crisis. TODAY'S QUESTION: Hi Grawlix, I am turning 40 this summer. I live a rather comfortable life. Steady job, loving wife, and two great kids. That said, something has to give, right? I am the kind of guy who likes to get out ahead of things and want to take on my mid-life crisis on MY OWN TERMS. So, my questions is, "How do I induce my own mid-life crisis?" To be clear, I'm not asking what my mid-life crisis should look like... I'm asking what steps I should take to bring whatever underlying crisis there is to the surface. Thanks -Billy LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vote for the winning advice! (Poll opens at 10am)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See the Grawlix live at the Bug Theatre on Saturday, May 30th with Zach Peterson, Laura Peek, and Leah Althoff!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us for show dates and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam Cayton-Holland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Roy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Andrew Orvedahl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Grawlix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support this podcast on Patreon to get ad-free episodes, bonus videos, exclusive merch, birthday shout-outs and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The PCB industry has long relied on manual microsectioning to verify board quality — but as densities increase and skilled labor becomes harder to retain, that process is breaking down. In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson welcomes back Geoffrey Leeds, founder of SCAN Labs, for his third appearance on the show. Geoffrey breaks down what he calls the "metrology gap" — the widening divide between the precision measurement capabilities available to semiconductor manufacturers and those available to PCB fabricators — and explains why this gap is becoming a critical problem for high-reliability industries like defense, aerospace, medical, and automotive.   SCAN Labs is addressing this gap head-on with a heavily automated, third-party inspection and test laboratory that specializes in microsectioning for electronics verification. Geoffrey walks through the company's serialized grinding and imaging system, which can produce a fully analyzed IPC coupon roughly every six minutes, generating high-confidence metrology data at scale. The conversation also covers the role of AI and LLMs in electronics manufacturing, the limits of current non-destructive inspection methods, and Geoffrey's vision for standardizing metrology data reporting in collaboration with IPC — so that as-built data can feed directly back into design and simulation tools.  

TODAY'S QUESTION: Boyz, I smoke too much weed, totally in secret. My family doesn't know, my job doesn't know, even my friends don't really know. People say it's not addictive but I am def addicted. I'm not unhappy (maybe cuz weed). It's my anti-depressant and my social helper and the only thing that shuts off the bad stuff in my brain. But the secret is hard to maintain and I feel really guilty about it. What do I do? — Secret Stoner LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vote for the winning advice! (Poll opens at 10am)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ See Advice Fight LIVE at Dude IDK Studios on Thursday, April 30th! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See the Grawlix live at the Bug Theatre on Saturday, May 30th with Zach Peterson, Laura Peek, and Leah Althoff!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us for show dates and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam Cayton-Holland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Roy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Andrew Orvedahl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Grawlix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support this podcast on Patreon to get ad-free episodes, bonus videos, exclusive merch, birthday shout-outs and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to design interconnects for AI data centers pushing 112G, 224G, and even 448G? In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Matt Burns, Director of Technical Marketing at Samtec, to unpack how connector technology has evolved to meet the demands of modern high-speed systems. From co-packaged copper and optics to near-package interconnects, Matt walks through Samtec's product families and explains why choosing your connector early in the design cycle is no longer optional at these speeds.   The conversation also explores how these same high-speed design principles are trickling down into embedded systems, where physical AI and edge computing are creating new demands for smaller, faster, denser interconnects. Matt shares insights from DesignCon, OFC, and Embedded World, painting a picture of an industry at an inflection point — one where robotics, AI accelerators, and open embedded standards are driving the next generation of connector innovation. Whether you're a PCB designer, systems architect, or just curious about what's happening at the bleeding edge of interconnect technology, this episode is packed with practical insight.  

How to get revenge when you get laid off. TODAY'S QUESTION: Letter time! I need the help of the learn-ed boiz Fairbell, Shoemaker, & Payton. Long story short: I'm a middle school librarian at a small public school here in Colorado. I work my ass off and do everything I can to support all the students and staff. For the 4th time in my 16 years as an educator, my position got cut because of district budget bullshit. I'm pissed and it hurts to leave this school I love that I've been at for 6 years. I'm ready to leave education but because of retirement and child care discounts, I'm going to have to find another job in the district that screwed me over…again. I'm still at my school until early June & there are multiple people who threw me under the bus or have made my life hell. And assuming I find another job as a librarian, I'll have to still work with the higher ups who also fucked up this whole situation. Because I'm a “good person” and can't afford to burn down the whole damn system, I need something to daydream about without actually doing it. What is the pettiest shit you can think of for me to do to the asshats I loathe while still at my school and during district meetings next year? Those Who Can't is still my favorite show about teachers so I know you've got some ideas that didn't make the screen. I love (most of) my students so nothing to mess with them. Please don't share my real name so I can still get a job… -Abbey Logan's BFF LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vote for the winning advice! (Poll opens at 10am)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See the Grawlix live at the Bug Theatre on Saturday, May 30th with Zach Peterson, Laura Peek, and Leah Althoff!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us for show dates and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam Cayton-Holland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Roy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Andrew Orvedahl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Grawlix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support this podcast on Patreon to get ad-free episodes, bonus videos, exclusive merch, birthday shout-outs and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could parse your Altium project files from the command line, generate a full BOM in seconds, extract net lists as AI-readable JSON, and spin up a 3D HTML viewer with zero dependencies — all without ever opening Altium? In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Eli Hughes, principal at Wavenumber LLC, to dig into a suite of open-source tools he's built around Altium file formats. Eli walks through the Altium Cruncher toolset, including Mega Maid (a vacuum-cleaner-style data extractor), a 3D PCB visualizer, and a schematic viewer with animated net tracing — all self-contained HTML files requiring no install or cloud connection.   The conversation goes far beyond visualizers. Eli reveals how he feeds parsed net lists directly into Claude and Codex for AI-assisted design reviews, power tree analysis, and even automatic Zephyr device tree generation — completing in minutes what used to take a full day. He also lays out his vision for a next-generation PDM system: an AI-queryable knowledge store that ingests decades of schematic history, EVK reference designs from TI, Renesas, NXP, and more, and supply chain data — so engineers can stop reinventing the wheel and start building on proven, procurable circuits. If you care about PCB workflow automation, AI-assisted hardware development, or the future of design reuse, this episode is essential viewing.  

Tips for maintaining that creative spark. TODAY'S QUESTION: Gentlemen, Let me get right to it. I love your work. Each one of you has made top shelf independently produced work. Comedy, music, games, podcasts. I can't imagine it has always been easy but hopefully, you've always found it rewarding. I've had the good fortune of publishing a handful of short stories in online journals and anthologies. I have long-term goals of self publishing a collection (with reasonable goals and even more reasonable expectations). Long term because I know how much work it will take to do it right. So how do I keep that indie motivation alive and well when it gets tough and no one is asking for the work? With all the love for what you do, Patrick LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vote for the winning advice! (Poll opens at 10am)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See the Grawlix live at the Bug Theatre on Saturday, May 30th with Zach Peterson, Laura Peek, and Leah Althoff!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us for show dates and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam Cayton-Holland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Roy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Andrew Orvedahl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Grawlix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support this podcast on Patreon to get ad-free episodes, bonus videos, exclusive merch, birthday shout-outs and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is FPGA engineering the best career path for electronics engineers today? In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Adam Taylor — founder of Adiuvo Engineering and the FPGA Horizons conference — to explore the full landscape of FPGA development. From how Adam accidentally fell into FPGAs as a new graduate to building one of the UK's most talked-about technical conferences, this conversation covers what it really means to build a career around programmable logic. Adam shares why he believes engineers should cultivate broad skill sets, how FPGAs have evolved from simple glue logic into advanced compute platforms, and what the future holds for FPGA professionals in an AI-driven world.   The episode also dives into the growing intersection of FPGA development and PCB design, the collaboration challenges that arise when hardware teams work in silos, and how AI tools like agentic coding assistants are beginning to change the way engineers write RTL. Adam also gives an inside look at FPGA Horizons — his community-driven, vendor-neutral conference now expanding to the US through a partnership with PCEA at PCB East. Whether you're a seasoned FPGA engineer, a board designer looking to understand programmable logic better, or a student weighing your career options, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest takes from someone with 26 years in the field.  

Why are you making the comedy choices you are making? TODAY'S QUESTION: Dearest doctors, my favorite podcasters are three guys who love each other and love to make fun of each other. Lately they've been making lots of jokes about about marrying each other or having sex with each other... I don't think they're homophobic or being mean, but it's def homoerotic and I'm gay and they're straight and sometimes it all makes me feel some sort of way. Boys in high school would make the same jokes but then act grossed out by it and I would feel soooo not good. This sends me back to those feelings. It's not actually bad, but not good either, you know? Do you have any advice for not taking stuff like that so personally? I know my podcast buddies are good guys and I don't want to feel this away.  Hi-T LINKS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vote for the winning advice! (Poll opens at 10am)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See the Grawlix live at the Bug Theatre on Saturday, May 30th with Zach Peterson, Laura Peek, and Leah Althoff!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us for show dates and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam Cayton-Holland⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Roy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Andrew Orvedahl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Grawlix⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support this podcast on Patreon to get ad-free episodes, bonus videos, exclusive merch, birthday shout-outs and more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Got a question? Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠question@advicefight.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newly single? Let's go!  TODAY'S QUESTION: Hi friends, I am currently going through a break-up after being together for 2 years (living together for 1). We are on great terms and there is still so much love between the two of us. My life has been flipped upside down but I'm doing well given the circumstances. Do you have any advice on navigating through this? Thx

Altium Develop gives your entire electronics team — engineers, procurement, and manufacturers — real-time visibility into your PCB designs and supply chain, all in one platform: https://www.altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=ontrack-podcast&utm_content=greenpak-for-automotive-reliability-integration-real-world-demos Renesas' Automotive GreenPAK is a configurable mixed-signal IC that's changing how engineers approach component integration in vehicle electronics. In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Michele Deviato, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Renesas, and Oleh Saphia, Applications Engineering Manager at Renesas, to break down what truly separates automotive-grade components from their industrial counterparts. Spoiler: it's far more than just temperature range. AEC-Q100 qualification, vibration-resistant packaging, minimum pin pitch requirements, and rigorous reliability testing all play a critical role — and GreenPAK is built to meet every one of them. Beyond the spec sheet, this episode dives into why Automotive GreenPAK is gaining rapid adoption across OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers — and even into space technology applications. Michele and Oleh walk through how GreenPAK consolidates entire boards of discrete components into a single reconfigurable IC, reducing BOM cost, board area by up to 90%, and failure rates all at once. Oleh then takes viewers through a live Go Configure Software demo, building a real LED animation circuit in minutes — no firmware required. 

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Stephen Newberry, Victor Kronberg, and Ching-Ping Wong from Chipletz — a fabless advanced packaging company pushing the boundaries of die-to-die interconnect technology. The team shares their background, their work on chiplet-based package design, and the technical paper they presented at DesignCon, which introduces the wallstrip transmission line: a novel interconnect structure designed to improve insertion loss, manage crosstalk, and enable higher data rates in chiplet packages without the need for a silicon interposer.   The conversation dives deep into the signal integrity challenges of advanced packaging, including how the wallstrip structure compares to traditional microstrip and stripline configurations, the role of the UCIE standard in enabling chiplet interoperability, and the long-term potential for an open chiplet marketplace. Whether you're a PCB designer curious about making the leap into IC packaging or an SI/PI engineer tracking the cutting edge of high-bandwidth interconnect design, this episode offers rare, expert-level insight into one of the most exciting frontiers in electronics engineering.  

Altium Develop connects your entire electronics product team — from design to supply chain to manufacturing — in one unified platform: https://www.altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=ontrack-podcast&utm_content=violet-labs-the-integration-hub-solving-hardware-data-chaos   Hardware engineering teams have long struggled with disconnected software tools — CAD systems that don't talk to PLMs, PLMs that don't sync with MES platforms, and engineers spending hours manually copying BOM data between systems. In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Lucy Hoag, founder and CEO of Violet Labs, to explore how her company is tackling this pervasive problem. Lucy shares her journey from astronautical engineering and satellite design to building a no-code integration platform that acts as a centralized hub for all the disparate tools hardware teams rely on every day.   Violet works like a "Zapier for hardware engineering" — connecting mechanical CAD, electrical CAD, PLM, MES, ERP, project management tools, and more through a single middleware platform. Lucy and Zach dig into why native integrations between major software vendors remain rare, the regulatory constraints that have stalled innovation in aerospace, and how Violet's no-code approach removes barriers for non-software engineers. They also discuss Violet's newly launched MCP server, the role of AI in responsible data orchestration, and what's next on the product roadmap.  

The hardware startup landscape has transformed dramatically since 2020, and investors are finally paying attention. In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Mihir Shaw and Benji Chia, co-founders of Hardware FYI, to explore why hardware companies are becoming attractive investment opportunities again.    From PCB fabrication innovations to manufacturing automation startups, discover how a new generation of engineers is disrupting traditional industries and building companies that venture capitalists can no longer ignore.   Mihir and Benji share their unique perspectives as both hardware industry insiders and startup investors, discussing the companies making waves in aerospace manufacturing, on-demand fabrication, and automated PCB design. Learn how their popular newsletter grew from zero to 20,000 engaged readers by delivering first-principles technical content that traditional publications overlook.   

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Karen Burnham, chief engineer and founder of EMC United, to explore why electromagnetic compatibility remains one of the most challenging aspects of product development. Karen shares her journey from physics to NASA Johnson Space Center and eventually into EMC consulting, offering invaluable insights into why so many engineers struggle with compliance testing and what they can do about it.   Whether you're a new designer facing your first EMC test or a seasoned engineer looking to refine your approach, this conversation covers critical topics including common misconceptions about ground plane splits, the dangers of blindly following data sheet recommendations, requirements management pitfalls, and cost-effective pre-compliance strategies. Karen also discusses the evolving role of simulation and AI in EMC design review, upcoming changes to CISPR standards, and her practical seminars designed to help engineers avoid costly failures.  

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Todd Hubing, president of LearnEMC. With over 40 years of experience in electromagnetic compatibility starting at IBM in 1982, Todd brings unparalleled expertise to some of the most misunderstood topics in PCB design. This conversation dives deep into grounding myths, decoupling capacitor placement, stack-up strategies, and common mode currents, challenging long-held assumptions that many designers take for granted.  

Quantum computing is no longer confined to research labs—it's entering the commercial space, and electrical engineers are uniquely positioned to contribute. In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with quantum hardware designer Šimon Marek to explore the fascinating world of superconducting quantum chips. From transmon qubits and Josephson junctions to control electronics and FPGA-based systems, Šimon breaks down the engineering principles that make quantum computers work, revealing how familiar microwave and RF design concepts translate directly into this cutting-edge field. Whether you're a PCB designer curious about quantum technology or an engineer looking for your next challenge, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for understanding quantum hardware. Šimon shares his journey from Arduino projects to quantum chip design, walks through actual chip layouts and simulation workflows, and discusses the fabrication processes that bring these devices to life. Discover why quantum computing might be more accessible to traditional electronics engineers than you think.

Join host Zach Peterson for an illuminating journey through the pivotal moments in PCB design and electronics manufacturing in 2025. This year-end review explores critical industry developments, from global trade restructuring to the dramatic expansion of Ultra High-Density Interconnect (UHDI) production capabilities in the United States and beyond.   Discover insights from expert guests who dissect the year's most significant trends: the impact of tariffs on global supply chains, the strategic reshoring of manufacturing, and the technological advances pushing the boundaries of PCB design. Learn how industry leaders are navigating challenges in electronics production, from complex substrate technologies to the intricate world of solder paste innovations.  

Dive deep into the world of international PCB manufacturing with Tristan Ren from TapRen Solutions. Learn how innovative companies are navigating complex global supply chain challenges, from tariffs to international production logistics. Discover insider strategies for securing high-quality, cost-effective electronic manufacturing across borders.   In this exclusive interview, Zach Peterson sits down with TapRen's director of operations to unpack the intricacies of overseas PCB production. Uncover the secrets to managing international manufacturing, understanding export controls, and delivering zero-defect products with lightning-fast turnaround times.  

Delving deep in to Zach Peterson's mind.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Join host Zach Peterson as he sits down with industry veteran Dan Beaulieu, founder and president of DB Management Group, to explore the dramatic transformation of the PCB manufacturing landscape. With over 30 years of experience working with hundreds of companies, Dan provides unique insights into how the industry has evolved from 1,300 North American PCB shops in 2005 to just 130 today, with 90 of them under $5 million in revenue.   In this compelling discussion, Dan shares his perspective on the consolidation wave reshaping the industry, the challenges facing smaller "mom and pop" PCB shops, and the critical role of venture capital in driving growth and technological advancement. He also delves into emerging opportunities in substrate manufacturing and microelectronics, the importance of superior customer service as a competitive differentiator, and strategies for attracting and training the next generation of PCB professionals.  

Join host Zach Peterson on this episode of the OnTrack Podcast as he speaks with Caleb Buck, PCB Design Electronics Engineer at Nidec Aerospace, about the critical considerations for high power PCB design. From guitar pedal prototypes etched in his kitchen to aerospace systems handling 500+ amps, Caleb shares his journey and expertise in designing life-critical electronics. Learn about voltage isolation requirements, current distribution challenges, thermal management strategies, and the pitfalls that can lead to melting connectors and component failures.   Discover practical approaches to high power design including IPC 2221 vs IPC 2152 standards, material selection for reliability, and how PCB layout dramatically affects current distribution in parallel switching circuits. Whether you're designing power electronics for automotive, aerospace, or industrial applications, this conversation provides valuable insights for pushing the boundaries of what's possible on a PCB.

Join host Zach Peterson on the Altium OnTrack Podcast as he interviews Tyler Richards, founder of uFab, who is revolutionizing PCB manufacturing with chemical-free production technology. Discover how Tyler's innovative PCBee system can print multi-layer circuit boards in just 4 hours without using traditional chemical etchants like ferric chloride or cupric chloride. From his early days as a high school freelancer on Upwork to founding a company that's changing desktop PCB fabrication, Tyler shares his journey and the technology behind uFab's game-changing approach. Learn about their laser-based manufacturing process that supports everything from FR-4 to flex materials, Rogers substrates, and even ceramic boards - all with feature sizes down to 2 mil and via sizes as small as 7-8 mil.

Join host Zach Peterson as he sits down with David Schild, Executive Director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA), fresh from their annual Washington D.C. meeting. Discover how the organization is advocating for critical legislation like H.R.3597, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, and why American PCB manufacturing dropped from 30% to just 4% of global production. Learn about the workforce challenges, private investment opportunities, and the strategic importance of domestic microelectronics manufacturing for everything from F-150s to F-35s.   This in-depth episode of the OnTrack Podcast unpacks the policy battles happening behind the scenes as PCBAA works to secure tax incentives and federal support for American PCB manufacturers. David shares insights from their recent congressional meetings, explains why major OEMs like RTX (Raytheon) are joining the fight, and discusses the organization's mission to educate lawmakers about the critical role circuit boards play in national security and commercial applications.  

In this insightful episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Kirsch Mackey, founder of HaSofu, to explore the evolving landscape of PCB design education. Kirsch reveals how his educational platform bridges the critical gap between academic theory and industry requirements, sharing his unique journey from physics enthusiast to electronics education innovator.    Discover how HaSofu is revolutionizing hardware design education and learn about the potential and limitations of AI in PCB design workflows.  

Explore PCB East 2025 with Zach Peterson and Ethan Pierce as they break down this year's conference highlights, technical sessions, and emerging AI trends in PCB design. Discover why this industry event provides unparalleled networking opportunities with vendors, fabricators, and industry leaders that can transform your career in electronics design. PCB East offers something for everyone in the electronics industry - from design engineers to operations personnel. Learn about the latest AI tools on display, how fabricators are handling tariff challenges, and why attending specialized conferences can provide valuable face time with executives that larger shows simply can't match.

Join me today as we talk Di's 78th birthday, we meet Zach Peterson and talk about planting flowers!

In this insightful OnTrack Podcast episode, Zach Peterson sits down with Kristen Aguiar, Training Developer at Altium, to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in PCB design: component libraries. Discover practical approaches to library management, learn about common pitfalls in footprint creation, and gain valuable insights on standardization from Kristen's extensive industry experience.   From the complexities of managing library data to implementing effective processes and handling the "people problem," this conversation offers invaluable guidance for designers and engineers struggling with CAD libraries. Kristen also shares her thoughts on third-party CAD sources and her upcoming presentations at PCB East.  

Inconsistent PCB libraries can lead to costly manufacturing errors and project delays. In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, our guest Elizabeth Bustamante shares her expertise on PCB library standardization challenges and practical solutions for design teams.   Join host Zach Peterson as he discusses with Elizabeth the importance of understanding library standards, verification processes, and how to properly evaluate third-party library sources. Learn valuable insights for maintaining consistency across your PCB design libraries.  

Send us a textZach Peterson has been doing stand-up for the last 17 years. He started in Omaha, Neb., and spent nine years in Chicago and one in Los Angeles before coming back home. He's 43 years old, but he can still play basketball and tell jokes, so he's happy. He's working on his third album. His special and second album, "A List of Wet Celebrities," came out in 2024. Follow Zach Peterson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingoftheriverpeterson/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kingoftheriverpetersonWebsite: https://www.zachpetersoncomedy.com/A List of Wet Celebrities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysq-L6ybwaQSupport the show

Explore the revolutionary advancements of Ultra HDI in PCB design and manufacturing. In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, Zach Peterson sits down with Tara Dunn, Director of Training and Education at SMTA, to discuss how UHDI is reshaping the PCB industry.  Gain insights into its impact on design, fabrication, and assembly, and learn how to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field.   **Highlights**:   - The future of Ultra HDI in PCB manufacturing   - Challenges and opportunities for PCB designers   - SMTA's role in fostering innovation and collaboration    

Welcome to Altium's OnTrack Podcast! In this episode, host Zach Peterson speaks with Sean Kincaid, President of K & F Electronics, about the complex realities of reshoring electronics manufacturing.  Explore why reshoring is about more than just production and delve into the challenges of materials, equipment, and supply chain dependencies. Sean shares his firsthand experience with PCB manufacturing and insights into America's manufacturing industry. 

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Keith Hanna, an Independent Consultant in CAE/PLM, to discuss the evolution of cross-disciplinary integration in engineering software, focusing on CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) and EDA (Electronic Design Automation) industries.  The conversation explores themes like AI's role in the future of engineering, recent trends in mergers and acquisitions, and the broader implications of these changes for engineers and developers. Keith shares his insights from decades of experience, providing a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities within these rapidly converging fields.  

Welcome to Troll Hole episode 44! What better way to end the year than by slipping into the tranquil waters of the spit pit and letting our hilarious conversation with comedians Zach Peterson & Cameron Logsdon wash away your impurities. In this episode we discuss: uncomfortable reunions, tub births, bad impressions, three-limbed monkeys, technical difficulties, kissing natural beauties, elder millennials and so much more. Reach in. Pull it out. Subscribe to the pod, give us a rating and leave a review while you're here. We're trying to feed our son, Producer Neil. Follow Troll Hole on Instagram!: https://www.instagram.com/trollholepodcast Follow Zach Peterson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingoftheriverpeterson Follow Cameron Logsdon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronlogsdon Follow Ben Katzner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaqkatzner Check Ben out live! Tickets here: https://linktr.ee/shaqkatzner Follow Mike Lester on Instagram!: https://www.instagram.com/justmikelester Check Mike out live! Tickets here: https://linktr.ee/Justmikelester Follow Producer Neil! https://www.instagram.com/n3ilface Listen to Neil's music here: https://songwhip.com/sevenswords Has anyone said anything weird to you lately? Tell us about it and we might talk about it  on the pod! Send us screenshots or tell us your trolling story by sending it to us at Trollholepod@gmail.com #trollhole #trolls #trolling #comedy #selfhelp #selfcare #Santa #mentalhealth #Holiblazed

How does Denpaflux simplify EMC testing? In this episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson interviews Reinhard Neureiter, CEO of Denpaflux, to explore their groundbreaking AI-powered tools for tackling EMI and EMC challenges. Learn why 70% (or maybe more) of designs fail EMC testing and how Denpaflux helps engineers fix critical issues faster, from optimizing board stackups to pinpointing high-priority EMI risks. Discover how this platform combines human expertise with AI to make EMC consulting accessible, effective, and efficient. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting out, Denpaflux offers insights and tools to streamline your workflow and reduce costly delays. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of EMI/EMC solutions and the innovative technologies reshaping PCB design.

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.  

This week Kris Kristofferson passed away at 88. In addition to being one of country music's greatest songwriters, he was a movie stars, a political activist, and   one of the most badass dudes to ever live. This week we revisit our 2022 episode about Kristofferson, with guest Zach Peterson.Rest easy, Kris. Thanks for the tunes, the stories, and for John Prine.Check out our Patreon!Check out our new merch store!Instagram: @TakeThisPodandShoveItFor everything else click HERE!Want to create your own great podcast? Why not start today! We use BuzzSprout for hosting and have loved it. So we suggest you give them a try as well! Buzzsprout gets your show listed in every major podcast platform, and makes understanding your podcast data a breeze. Follow this link to let Buzzsprout know we sent you—you'll get a $20 credit if you sign up for a paid plan, and it helps support our show.

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

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. 

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