-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueDesigning Through the Noise
Our experts discuss the constantly evolving world of RF design, including the many tradeoffs, material considerations, and design tips and techniques that designers and design engineers need to know to succeed in this high-frequency realm.
Learning to Speak ‘Fab’
Our expert contributors clear up many of the miscommunication problems between PCB designers and their fab and assembly stakeholders. As you will see, a little extra planning early in the design cycle can go a long way toward maintaining open lines of communication with the fab and assembly folks.
Training New Designers
Where will we find the next generation of PCB designers and design engineers? Once we locate them, how will we train and educate them? What will PCB designers of the future need to master to deal with tomorrow’s technology?
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
PCB Designers: ‘Level Up’ IC, Packaging Knowledge
September 16, 2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Soo Lan Cheah is kind of a unicorn in the industry. She is an IPC instructor based in Malaysia, and she has years of experience designing integrated circuits and printed circuit boards. I knew I had to get her thoughts for this issue on silicon-to-systems. I asked Soo Lan to discuss her cross-discipline background and what silicon-to-systems means to her.
Andy Shaughnessy: Please tell us a little about your background. It’s rare to meet someone with experience designing ICs and PCBs.
Soo Lan Cheah: I am currently an instructor for IPC PCB design certification in Asia and instructor-led online training. I’ve spent the past 20 years in Malaysia in engineering education and training, designing technical curricula for professional development, as well as national projects for upskilling local graduates and engineers in the semiconductor industry. Before this, I worked in Singapore as an engineer, for 15 years in the data communication network, doing R&D for the National Computing Center, Defense Advanced Electronics Laboratory, and Microelectronics Institute.
I started PCB design as a team member working on signal integrity simulations and test board designs for advanced PCB board products in the defense industry. I acquired electromagnetic field solver knowledge and techniques at the microelectronics institute while working on semiconductor IC package electrical design. The PCB and IC design’s formal certification for training came under a local training center in Malaysia, with a technology transfer program (PCB, IC design, and IC testing) from Japan to Malaysia. My contributions include developing the IC package design course for training and updating the PCB design and IC design courses.
I am fortunate to have been given numerous opportunities to upskill myself and be introduced to IPC design certifications. I owe a huge thank you to Tan Beng Teong. I am also grateful to my IPC mentors Dieter Bergman and Gary Ferrari for their guidance, patience, and generosity in the learning process that has inspired me to continue to update and guide new learners in the industry through IPC.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the September 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
ZESTRON Announces New Reliability and Solutions Service for Risk Assessment & Mitigation of Electronic Assemblies
05/06/2025 | ZESTRONZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions, is thrilled to introduce its new Reliability and Solutions (R&S) service.
PCB East Continues to Expand
05/06/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineIt was a perfect week for a conference and trade show in metropolitan Boston, with high temperatures in the 70s. PCB East took place at the Boxboro Regency Hotel and Conference Center April 29–May 2, with the expo on April 30. PCB East has been expanding since its relaunch a few years ago, with conference and show attendance rising each year.
Green Circuits Expands Large-Format PCBA Capabilities with Installation of JUKI Primo Screen Printer
05/05/2025 | Green CircuitsGreen Circuits, a full-service Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) partner to leading OEMs, proudly announces the installation of the JUKI Primo Large-Format Screen Printer, expanding its capabilities to support printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) up to 33.5" x 24".
ASC Sunstone Circuits to Exhibit at PCB Detroit 2025
05/05/2025 | ASC SunstoneASC Sunstone Circuits will be exhibiting at the inaugural session of PCB Detroit to be held on June 2 and 3 on the campus of Wayne State University.
HyRel Technologies Celebrates Future Innovators: Intern Program Empowers the Next Generation of Engineers and Professionals
05/01/2025 | HyRelHyRel Technologies, a global provider of quick turn semiconductor modification solutions, is proud to spotlight its 7th class of interns in partnership with Peoria Unified School District, featuring three outstanding young women who are already making meaningful contributions to the company's innovative engineering and operations efforts.