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Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
March Madness
From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
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September Design007 Magazine: Silicon to Systems
September 9, 2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
Silicon to Systems: From Soup to Nuts
Traditionally, most designers of PCBs and ICs have operated in separate silos, unaware of much of what is happening just upstream or downstream. IC designers did their thing and PCB designers did theirs, and everything worked—until recently, that is.
Now, the increase in complexity in electronics is driving technologists throughout the electronics supply chain to adopt a “silicon to systems” outlook. Advanced packaging systems are causing PCB designers problems with signal integrity, power delivery requirements, and thermal issues.
This month, in the September 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, we asked our expert contributors to weigh in on silicon to systems—what it means to PCB designers and design engineers, EDA companies, and the rest of the PCB supply chain—from soup to nuts.
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Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Single Pair Ethernet (SPE): A Valuable Option for Modern Designs
04/20/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007When it comes to designing PCBs and full systems for increasingly complex electronics hardware, who doesn’t want to reduce complexity and cost? Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) has emerged as a solution and is gaining rapid attention across industrial electronics and PCB design because it enables Ethernet communication over a single twisted pair, replacing the traditional two- or four-pair cabling used in standard Ethernet networks. This seemingly simple shift has significant implications for designers: smaller connectors, reduced cable weight, longer reach, and the ability to carry both data and power over a single pair.
April Issue of I-Connect007 Magazine: Beyond the Rulebook
04/14/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn this month’s I-Connect007 Magazine, we asked PCB designers, fabricators, and suppliers what it really means to operate without a rulebook. Their perspectives vary, especially between seasoned designers and experienced fabricators, but a common thread emerges: progress depends on pushing boundaries and finding a way forward, even when the path isn’t clear. In many ways, this mindset has always been part of what we do, whether we’ve called it that or not.
Marcy’s Musings: Operating Without a Rulebook
04/15/2026 | Marcy LaRont -- Column: Marcy's MusingsWhat happens when the rulebook is no longer useful, or worse, has not yet been written? With electronics innovation happening at warp speed, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, proven path, or tidy checklist to follow. “Design for invention” begins at the edge of known capability, where traditional DFM gives way to something far less certain, and far more exciting. It’s not about breaking rules for the sake of it; it’s about recognizing when the rules no longer apply and having the insight, collaboration, and courage to move forward anyway.
Connect the Dots: Designing for the Future of Manufacturing Reality—Solder Mask and Legend
04/09/2026 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsPCBs seem to be getting more complex by the day, so it is important for designers to keep educating themselves about the realities of manufacturing increasingly intricate boards. Last month’s column highlighted design considerations for the strip-etch-strip process and how manufacturers approach that phase of production. Now that we have a functioning board, we must protect the PCB from environmental hazards and document the circuit components. This article will detail the solder mask and legend process and offer best practices for designers to ensure a high-quality result.
New Book Explores How UV Technology Is Transforming Electronics Protection, Efficiency, and Sustainability
03/06/2026 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 announces the release of The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to…™ UV Curable Conformal Coatings. Authored by respected industry technologists Brian Chislea and Cody Schoener, PhD, of Dow, Inc., this new book offers a comprehensive exploration of UV-curable conformal coatings and their expanding role in improving the protection, performance, and sustainability of electronic assemblies.