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If you don’t have signal integrity problems now, you will eventually. This month, our expert contributors share a variety of SI techniques that can help designers avoid ground bounce, crosstalk, parasitic issues, and much more.
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I-Connect007 Editor's Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
September 6, 2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

I’ve been reading up on artificial intelligence news for a while now, and there’s a shift in the conversation, toward a more data- and results-driven view of AI and the claims of change it will bring. We’re starting to see research on why AI models behave the way they do (sometimes with behavior that is catastrophic to the AI itself), and what causes them to go astray. I’m collecting this research for an upcoming talk at a conference, and possibly a future article on the topic. Without spoiling my talk, let me just say that we don’t have much to fear about AI taking over the world yet. In the meantime, there are many things that you can control right now. To wit:
This week’s Top 5 starts with steps you can take to cultivate a culture of thriving. We also have bullish news from the global semiconductor sector, advice on how to tease out hidden cost drivers during the PCB design cycle, how the Altium-Ansys collaboration will affect design, and Happy Holden’s version of Occam’s Razor—three simple tools to keep your wet processes in line.
I can also share from personal experience that asking ChatGPT to make a margarita for happy hour will leave you unfulfilled; ask a trained human professional to do that for you instead. Have a great weekend!
Why a Culture of Thriving Matters
Published August 30
In the August issue of SMT007 Magazine, Audrey McGuckin, principal at The McGuckin Group, identifies a problem she encounters regularly in her consulting work: Burnout and disruption. Audrey shares her findings on how to counter burnout and disruptions in this article. Read all about it!
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 18.7% Year-to-Year in July
Published September 3
Quoting the press release, “The global semiconductor market continued to grow substantially on a year-to-year basis in July, and month-to-month sales increased for the fourth consecutive month,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The Americas market experienced particularly strong growth in July, with a year-to-year sales increase of 40.1%.” Is this a trailing indicator of reshoring or nearshoring? This news item includes sales numbers for other regions also; I’ll leave the answer to that question as an exercise for the reader.
Hidden Cost Drivers in PCB Design
Published September 5
Cherie Litson points out that “everything you’ve read about the cost-saving process is controlled by the project leader’s actions. This article, originally appearing in Design007 Magazine’s August 2024 issue, dives into the project manager’s role as a cost influencer, and why so many design problems originate in that office.
Impact of the Altium-Ansys Partnership on PCB Design
Published September 5
The importance—and effect—of signal and power integrity just keeps growing. Altium’s Josh Moore postulates that while it is necessary to have good simulation tools to help with SI and PI, it is not sufficient. Read here how Josh envisions the Altium/Ansys collaboration will help shift the design cycle.
Happy’s Tech Talk #32: Three Simple Ways to Manage and Control Wet Processes
Published September 3
Optimizing wet process is like flying a helicopter: they can easily fly out of control if you’re not paying attention. In this edition of Happy’s Tech Talk, Happy considers the simple tools which can help you keep an eye on your wet process operating tolerances.
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Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
Advint Incorporated Brings Artificial Intelligence to Electroplating Training
09/11/2025 | Advint IncorporatedAdvint Incorporated is introducing a new dimension to its electroplating training programs: the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to providing PCB fabricators and manufacturers in the USA and Canada with training that is practical, forward-looking, and directly relevant to today’s production challenges.
IPS, SEL Raise the Bar for ENIG Automation in North America
09/11/2025 | Mike Brask, IPSIPS has installed a state-of-the-art automated ENIG plating line at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories’ PCB facility in Moscow, Idaho. The 81-foot, fully enclosed line sets a new standard for automation, safety, and efficiency in North American PCB manufacturing and represents one of the largest fully enclosed final finish lines in operation.
The Right Approach: Get Ready for ISO 9001 Version 6
09/10/2025 | Steve Williams -- Column: The Right ApproachWe are well past the normal five to seven years that a new revision of the ISO 9001 international quality standard gets released. It may be finished toward the end of 2025, with implementation starting in 2026, and there will be as many significant changes as we saw in the current 2015 version.
I-Connect007 Launches New Podcast Series on Ultra High Density Interconnect (UHDI)
09/12/2025 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is excited to announce the debut of its latest On the Line With... podcast series, which shines a spotlight on one of the most important emerging innovations in electronics manufacturing: Ultra-High-Density Interconnect (UHDI).
Global Citizenship: Together for a Perfect PCB Solution
09/10/2025 | Tom Yang -- Column: Global CitizenshipIf there’s one thing we’ve learned in the past few decades of electronics evolution, it’s that no region has a monopoly on excellence. Whether it’s materials science breakthroughs in Europe, manufacturing efficiencies in China, or design innovations in Silicon Valley, the PCB industry thrives on collaboration.