-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- I-Connect007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current Issue
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.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - I-Connect007 Magazine
Keysight EDA Program in More Than 200 Universities
August 25, 2015 | Keysight Technologies, Inc.Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
More than 200 universities in North America are now participating in the Keysight EEsof EDA University Educational Support Programs, which provide several thousand students with EDA software licenses. As a result, more students than ever are returning to school this fall with the tools necessary to become industry-ready engineers.
The Keysight EDA University Programs offer full versions of Keysight EDA software to qualified academic institutions for instructional use. This software is used in industry and creates a full wireless communication EDA experience that helps students develop skills that will serve them well throughout their careers.
“Students love being able to access a student license download,” said Kathleen Melde, professor at the University of Arizona. “The process is so easy and there’s 24/7 access, so I often joke about how students can use the Keysight EDA tools to fix problems that bug them in the middle of the night. More importantly though, the student license is allowing our students to master the use of industry-standard tools and that’s what’s going to make them stand out in a competitive job market.”
The Keysight RF & Microwave Industry-Ready Student Certificationprogram is a collaboration between Keysight, select universities and industry. The program identifies, acknowledges and rewards top students with certification for demonstrating excellence in RF and microwave design and measurement expertise using Keysight EDA software design tools and instruments. Certification requirements include:
· Excellence in RF and microwave design courses and labs
· Completion of the required hours of Keysight EDA design tool use
· Completion of the required use of Keysight instruments, while learning key fundamentals for accurate RF calibration and measurement
· Nomination by a university professor for certification
To date, 200 students at more than 40 participating universities have been certified as Keysight Industry-Ready Students and therefore have demonstrated immediate value to prospective employers. Participation in the certification program confirms a university’s interest in preparing students for their future industry contribution.
Since the launch of the Keysight EDA Student License program in 2013, thousands of students have gained access to Keysight EDA software tools, anyplace, anytime, on their personal computers. Having access to Keysight EDA software enables professors to encourage student creativity and empowers students to capture and present that creativity in a form that’s recognized and trusted in conference papers, presentations and proposals.
“The Keysight EDA university program, along with other associated programs, such as the Keysight RF & Microwave Industry-Ready Student Certification and Keysight EDA Student License, provide an environment whereby students can master invaluable RF and microwave design skills,” said John Kikuchi, university program manager with Keysight EDA. “These skills will enable participating students to deliver faster, higher-level results to their future employers.”
About Keysight Software
Keysight software is downloadable test and measurement expertise. From first simulation through first customer shipment, Keysight software tools enable engineering teams to accelerate from data to information to actionable insight. Visit www.keysight.com/find/software to learn more and view the recently received 2014 Market Leadership Software Instrumentation award from Frost & Sullivan.
Keysight EEsof EDA is the leading supplier of electronic design automation software for microwave, RF, high-frequency, high-speed digital, RF system, electronic system level, circuit, 3-D electromagnetic, physical design and device-modeling applications. More information is available at www.keysight.com/find/eesof.
About Keysight Technologies
Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS) is a global electronic measurement technology and market leader helping to transform its customers’ measurement experience through innovations in wireless, modular, and software solutions. Keysight’s electronic measurement instruments, systems, software and services are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronic equipment. The business had revenues of $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2014. Visit www.keysight.com.
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
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.
PCBAA, AAM Take on the Fight to Rebuild U.S. Manufacturing in New Documentary
05/05/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Throughout most of the 20th century, manufacturing was central to the American Dream of providing stable jobs and pathways to upward mobility. Today, more than 80% of global electronics manufacturing capacity resides in China and greater Asia, raising serious concerns about supply chain resilience and national security.