OnTrack: The PCB Design Podcast

Discover how Renesas GreenPAK revolutionizes mixed-signal design by combining analog and digital blocks into a single programmable IC. In this comprehensive tutorial from the OnTrack Podcast, Dima Mymrikov demonstrates how to design, simulate, and program custom logic circuits in minutes using the intuitive Go Configure software—no coding required.   Learn how GreenPAK replaces multiple discrete components with one tiny, low-cost chip. From window comparators and power sequencing to level shifters and I²C expanders, see real-world examples of consolidating complex circuits into a 2x3mm package. This is the perfect solution for engineers looking to reduce board space, lower power consumption, and accelerate prototyping without the million-dollar investment of traditional ASIC development.   👉 Resources from this Episode: - Watch the Demo on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2b4TWE5zlB4 - Learn More about GreenPAK: https://www.renesas.com/en/products/programmable-logic/greenpak-programmable-mixed-signal-products - Connect with Dima: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dima-mymrikov-88133431/ - Check out Octopart: https://octopart.com/ - Go Configure Software Hub: https://www.renesas.com/en/software-tool/go-configure-software-hub 💡 **Stay Connected:** Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!   👉 **Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1   Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.   👉 **Follow Altium on TikTok:** https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 **Follow Altium on Twitter:** https://twitter.com/altium 👉 **Follow Altium on LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 **Follow Altium on Facebook:** https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/   **The Altium Academy** is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!   **About Altium LLC**   Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.   #GreenPAK #ProgrammableLogic #MixedSignalDesign

Dive deep into the hidden world of counterfeit electronic components with Elijah Miller, VP of Operations at The Lab Worldwide (TLW) in this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, hosted by Tech Consultant Zach Peterson. This comprehensive discussion reveals the sophisticated methods counterfeiters use to infiltrate the electronics supply chain, from remarked chips and harvested components to elaborate re-topping schemes. Learn how third-party testing laboratories authenticate components, the difference between franchise distributors and gray market sources, and the critical testing procedures that protect mission-critical applications. Whether you're a design engineer, procurement professional, or electronics enthusiast, this conversation provides invaluable insights into component authentication, quality assurance, and supply chain risk mitigation strategies. Discover the shocking truth about component counterfeiting rates, the role of testing standards like AS6171 and AS6081, and advanced detection methods including C-SAM imaging and Raman spectroscopy. Elijah shares real-world examples of counterfeit incidents, explains how legitimate parts end up on the gray market, and offers practical advice for protecting your projects from fake components. This episode is essential viewing for anyone involved in electronics design, manufacturing, or procurement who wants to understand the realities of component authentication in today's complex supply chain. 👉 Resources from this Episode:  - Connect with Elijah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wwepdo/ - Learn More about The Lab Worldwide: https://thelabww.com/ 💡 Stay Connected: Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!   Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content. 👉 Follow Altium on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/altium 👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/ The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer! About Altium LLC Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products. #ComponentTesting #Electronics #SupplyChain

Discover The Occam Group's process, a revolutionary approach to PCB assembly that eliminates solder while improving reliability, reducing costs, and simplifying manufacturing. Ray Rasmussen, Managing Partner at  The Occam Group, explains how this innovative methodology embeds components and builds copper-to-copper connections using existing fabrication equipment—no massive capital investment required.   Learn how the Occam opportunity could transform electronics manufacturing by offering embedded components, superior signal integrity, and a pathway for US fabricators to compete globally. From DoD testing to potential applications in high-density interconnect and semiconductor packaging, this conversation explores the future of PCB assembly and why industry leaders are taking notice.   👉 Resources from this Episode:  - Connect with Raymond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-rasmussen-7b98b08/ - Learn More about The Occam Group: https://theoccamgroup.com/   💡 Stay Connected: Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!   👉 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1   Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.   👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/altium 👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/   The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!   About Altium LLC   Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.   #PCBAssembly #Occam #ElectronicsManufacturing

Join Zach Peterson as he speaks with Sasan Hashemi, founder and CEO of Tset, about revolutionizing product cost management in electronics manufacturing. Discover how modern companies are moving beyond Excel spreadsheets to sophisticated data-driven platforms that integrate technical, commercial, and market data for comprehensive total cost of ownership analysis. In this insightful conversation, Sasan explains how Tset's platform combines internal data from PLM and ERP systems with external market intelligence from partners like Nexar to provide a complete 360-degree view of product costs. Learn about the challenges of managing carbon footprint calculations, supply chain risk quantification, and the future of AI-powered cost analysis in manufacturing. 👉 Resources from this episode:  - Connect with Sasan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasan-hashemi/ - Learn More about Tset: https://tset.com/ - AI-Powered PCB Supply Chain Management with Luminovo's Timon Ruban: https://youtu.be/F6SzF8kZBpE 💡 Stay Connected: Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!   Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content. 👉 Follow Altium on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/altium 👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/ The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer! About Altium LLC Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products. #SupplyChain #CostManagement #Manufacturing    

University of Minnesota students share their journey designing custom PCBs for the Bright Manufacturing Challenge. Watch as electrical and mechanical engineering students Ethan Chung, Kevin Vo, and Alexander Wan discuss their line-following robot project, from initial schematics to flex-rigid PCB manufacturing. This inspiring episode of the OnTrack Podcast reveals how young engineers learn PCB design through hands-on competition experience. Discover the challenges these students faced when transitioning from theoretical schematics to real-world printed circuit board layouts. Learn about their innovative flex-rigid PCB solution for encoder positioning, power management strategies, and the valuable lessons learned from their first manufacturing attempt. Their story demonstrates that diving into PCB design with determination and the right resources can lead to impressive engineering achievements. 💡 Stay Connected: Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!   Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content. 👉 Follow Altium on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/altium 👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/ The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer! About Altium LLC Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products. #PCBDesign #electronicsengineering  #engineeringstudent 

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.   👉 Resources from this Episode:  - Dan's I-Connect article: https://iconnect007.com/article/146612/lessons-from-a-thousand-columns-dan-beaulieu-on-writing-selling-and-staying-the-course/146609/pcb - Connect with Dan on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbbeaulieu/ - Learn More about DB Management Group: https://www.dbmanagementgroup.com/   💡 Stay Connected: Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!   👉 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1   Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.   👉 Follow Altium on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/altium 👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/   The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!   About Altium LLC   Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.   #PCBManufacturing #ElectronicsIndustry #PCBDesign

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. 👉 Resources from this episode:  - Connect with Caleb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-buck-809b6a256/ - Learn More about PCB West: https://pcbwest.com/ 💡 Stay Connected: Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!   Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.   👉 Follow on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/altium 👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/   The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!   About Altium LLC   Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.   #ElectronicsDesign #PCBDesign #PowerElectronics

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. 💡 Stay Connected: Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below! Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content. 👉 Follow Altium on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/altium 👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/ The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer! About Altium LLC Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products. #PCBManufacturing #PCBPrototyping #ElectronicsManufacturing

Join Zach Peterson as he sits down with Keven Coates, Senior Electrical Engineer at Novium Designs, for an in-depth preview of his upcoming PCB West presentations. This conversation covers essential topics every PCB designer needs to master, from signal integrity fundamentals to thermal management and design for manufacturing best practices. Discover why silicon company data sheets shouldn't be taken as gospel, learn about common assembly pitfalls that can kill first-run yields, and understand the critical importance of working with your fabrication and assembly partners early in the design process. Keven shares decades of experience from his time at Texas Instruments and offers practical insights that can save you months of rework and costly mistakes. 👉 Resources from this episode:  - Connect with Keven: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keven-coates-tamu/ - Learn more about PCB West: https://pcbwest.com/ 💡 Stay Connected: Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below! Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content. 👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/altium 👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/ The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer! About Altium LLC Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products. #PCBDesign #SignalIntegrity #ThermalManagement

Meet Tom Rein, the youngest entrepreneur ever featured on the Altium OnTrack podcast and founder of Tom's Aerial Vehicles. At just 18 years old, Tom is revolutionizing American drone manufacturing with AI-powered development processes and proprietary hardware designs. In this compelling interview, discover how this young innovator is building police drones "for Americans, by Americans" while addressing critical national security concerns and manufacturing gaps.   Tom shares his remarkable journey from collecting light bulbs as a child to building a six-figure speaker company, and now developing modular drone systems that could reshape the industry. Learn how AI has reduced his development costs from $10 million and 25 engineers to a $30 ChatGPT subscription, and why American manufacturing needs to catch up to China's ecosystem advantages. This episode explores the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology innovation, and national security in the rapidly evolving drone industry.   👉 Resources from this Episode:  - Find Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrein1/ - Find Tom on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomReinYT   💡 Stay Connected: Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!   Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.   👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner 👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/altium 👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altium/ 👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltiumOfficial/   The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!   About Altium LLC   Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.   #AmericanManufacturing #DroneIndustry #YoungEntrepreneur