Trace Talks (audio)

In this episode of Trace Talks, we're excited to welcome Patrick Davis from Cadence Design Systems. With nearly 30 years of experience in the PCB design world, Patrick shares his fascinating journey from starting in design alongside his father to his current role as a Product Manager at Cadence.

Join us as we dive into his career, exploring the challenges and rewards of PCB design, the importance of design for manufacturing (DFM), and his experiences at Rocket EMS. Patrick also offers valuable advice for designers on how to improve their designs by collaborating with fabricators and manufacturers.

Learn about his insights into the transition from hands-on design work to product management and marketing at Cadence, and how his role now impacts the PCB design community at large.

Join us for the second episode of Trace Talks, where host Amit Bahl sits down with special guest Kirsch Mackey to dive deep into the intersection of AI and PCB design. Filmed at Sierra Circuits’ assembly facility in San Jose, CA, this episode offers exclusive insights into the evolving landscape of electronic engineering.

Kirsch Mackey, founder of HaSofu and adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas, shares his journey and motivation behind creating HaSofu. With a keen focus on addressing the gaps in traditional education for electrical engineers and PCB designers, Kirsch unveils his unique teaching framework for success. From discussing the current state of AI in PCB design to zooming in on JITX and exploring AI software applications, Kirsch provides invaluable perspectives on the role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing the industry and discusses the tipping point for AI adoption.

With engaging discussions on the future of PCB design and the impact of AI, this episode promises to be both informative and thought-provoking. Tune in to discover why AI won't be taking your job anytime soon and gain a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics in electronic engineering.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Trace Talks with the PCB Guy! Amit Bahl kicks off the podcast with two incredible guests, Steve Carney from Sierra's R&D and manufacturing process engineering team, and Daniel Beeker, EMC expert and Technical Director at NXP Semiconductors.

In this episode recorded at the Levi's Stadium, amid the excitement of the Niners heading to the Super Bowl and DesignCon happening nearby, Dan shares insights from his DesignCon workshop on a field-based design philosophy for power distribution systems. He discusses the importance of understanding electromagnetic field physics in PCB design and how a shift in perspective, focusing on building pathways for energy, can transform the landscape and increase success rates.

Dan also touches on his DesignCon class on high-density interconnect design, emphasizing challenges and considerations for sensor proliferation in electric vehicles. The episode provides a sneak peek into the world of EMC, PCB layout, and the fundamental shift needed in design philosophy.