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Mentor Focusing on Power and Signal Integrity
February 5, 2018 | Andy Shaughnessy, PCB Design007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Chuck Ferry is a product marketing manager at Mentor, and SI/PI product architect for HyperLynx tools. I spoke with Chuck recently during DesignCon 2018, and he shared some of his thoughts on the industry and Mentor’s plans for this year and beyond.
Andy Shaughnessy: Good to see you again, Chuck. So, what does Mentor have planned for 2018?
Chuck Ferry: Mentor recognizes the importance of signal integrity and power integrity for today’s advanced systems, as reflected by DesignCon keynote Dr. Todd Hubing, Clemson University professor emeritus, during his talk on autonomous vehicle safety. From a technology domain standpoint, we continue to invest in SI and PI technologies by providing rich and unique capabilities that address the needs of our customers. Our customers now require technology solutions that expand to system-level design, and we will be announcing a comprehensive, industry-first high speed design solution for SerDes analysis and validation in mid-February.
Shaughnessy: Are you excited about any other new technologies, PCB or consumer?
Ferry: Yes, the proliferation of PAM4 for telecom and data center design. Also, the vast opportunities in automotive systems continue to expand for Tier 1 and OEM manufacturers. They face many challenges and demands for reliable automotive electronics design and verification, including customization and automation. This is truly a transformative time for automotive electronic systems.
Shaughnessy: It’s been a pretty good turnout for DesignCon this year. Why do you think PCB technologists should come to DesignCon?
Ferry: DesignCon is a great event for networking. It allows us to get connected with the broader design community, to recognize industry trends, new ideas and to broaden our skills by attending technical sessions. It’s also a great litmus test to validate our current and new design and analysis technologies with customers and prospects. This is an excellent event that provides a broad ecosystem where we can all engage and learn from one another.
Shaughnessy: I appreciate your time, Chuck.
Ferry: Thanks, Andy.
Visit I-007eBooks to download your copies of Mentor's micro eBooks today:
The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to…Signal Integrity by Example
The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to…Power Integrity by Example
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Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
The Journey from Dilution to Zero Liquid Discharge
05/11/2026 | Richard Nichols, GreenSource EngineeringIf you’re familiar with the PCB industry, and a little long in the tooth like me, you may remember the cry, “The water board is here!” (or an equivalent authority). This was the signal for a frantic but regularly rehearsed exercise to turn on all the rinses. This anecdote demonstrates that in the early days of PCB production, prevailing practices revolved around a “dilution is the solution” mentality, in which manufacturers used copious amounts of water to dilute contaminants before discharging them into regulated municipal wastewater systems or natural water bodies.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/08/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007This week, I’ve selected some outstanding interviews that you’ll want to take note of. First, is a roundtable discussion featuring three dynamic industry cybersecurity experts. Please watch this important discussion that affects us all. Following that, I spotlight the IPC-2581 Consortium, which explains why IPC-2581 is the standard to replace Gerber data for manufacturing. Next, I am including my interview with PCBAA and AAM, who collaborated to release a short documentary on U.S. PCB manufacturing.
Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Karen McConnell
05/07/2026 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In 2021, Karen McConnell was awarded the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame award in recognition of her contributions to the Association and the electronics industry. As a senior staff member and CAD/CAM engineer at Northrop Grumman Enterprise Services, her primary responsibility was to develop a common, shared EDM (Electronic Document Management) library to support the electrical and PCB design tool initiatives across Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
A Necessary Shift From Gerber to IPC-2581
05/07/2026 | Tracy Riggan, Global Electronics AssociationIPC-2581 is an open, vendor-neutral data exchange standard developed by the Global Electronics Association to streamline the exchange of PCB design information across fabrication, assembly, and test. It replaces multiple legacy formats—including industry standards, Gerber, and ODB++—with a single, comprehensive, XML-based dataset that captures all manufacturing details.
Meet Emerging Engineers: Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker, Summit Interconnect
05/05/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker both work for Summit Interconnect, and are in their second year of the Global Electronics Association’s Emerging Engineer Program with mentor Brian Chislea. They stopped by the I-Connect007 booth at APEX EXPO and shared a bit of their story with me. Patrick has worked at the Hollister, California, plant since 2018, while Eric has been at the Chicago site since 2023. Like many of their peers, they came to the electronics industry from different paths, but are both excited about making an impact.