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OnTrack

Altium's podcast on PCB design and hardware development, in conversation with the engineers and designers who lay out, simulate and ship boards.

102 episodes · 69 hours · since 2024

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OnTrack is filed under electronics, engineering, design and interviews. Its most recent episode published on , so it is still actively publishing. Listeners have left 22 ratings on Apple Podcasts, averaging 4.8 out of 5.

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Where to begin with OnTrack: full episodes about building physical products, award winners first.

  • · 50m

    High Power PCB Design: Pushing the Limits with Caleb Buck

    Caleb Buck, a PCB Design Electronics Engineer at Nidec Aerospace, discusses the complexities of high-power PCB design, ranging from guitar pedal prototypes to aerospace systems handling over 500 amps. He explains how uneven current distribution in parallel switching circuits can cause connectors to melt due to impedance mismatches, emphasizing the need for symmetrical layout. Buck also details the importance of voltage isolation standards like IPC 2221 Revision C and IPC 2152, material selection for thermal reliability, and the pitfalls of conformal coating on high-power components.

    PCB design & layoutAnalog & power electronics
    9 chapters

  • · 43m

    Inside Component Testing: Fighting Fakes in the Electronics Industry

    Elijah Miller, VP of Operations at The Lab Worldwide (TLW), explains the sophisticated methods counterfeiters use to infiltrate the electronics supply chain, including remarking, harvesting, and cloning. He details how even franchise distributors like Digi-Key and Mouser can inadvertently distribute fakes through RMA loops and discusses the critical role of third-party testing labs in authentication. Miller highlights advanced detection techniques such as C-SAM imaging and Raman spectroscopy to identify retopped Xilinx and Altera chips, noting that 3-7% of gray market components tested often prove to be counterfeit.

    Sourcing & supply chainQuality & yield
    7 chapters

  • · 41m

    AI-Powered PLM: The Future of Hardware Product Lifecycle Management

    Michael Corr, CEO and founder of Duro, explains how his cloud-based PLM platform simplifies hardware product lifecycle management by centralizing bill of materials (BOM) data and integrating with supply chain APIs like Octopart and Nexar. He details the transition from traditional, complex legacy PLM systems to a simplified, opinionated tool that enforces best practices to reduce production errors. The conversation highlights the use of AI to automate data normalization, analyze change orders, and optimize Design for Manufacturing (DFM) by leveraging tribal knowledge. Corr also discusses Duro's Vendor Integration Engine (DVE), which connects directly to contract manufacturers for instant quoting and ordering of PCBAs.

    EDA & CAD toolsSourcing & supply chain
    10 chapters

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Single discussions from recent episodes, playing the show's own audio from where each begins.

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  • · 35m

    PCB Connectors That Survive Space, Shock & 500 Thermal Cycles

    Shane Dabrowski, a Field Applications Engineer at Samtec, explains how the company’s Severe Environment Testing (SET) and MIL-DTL-55302 lot-based testing validate standard connectors for military, aerospace, and LEO satellite applications. He details why solder joint fractures, rather than pin failure, are the primary issue during extreme thermal cycling from -65°C to 125°C, and discusses tin whisker mitigation through custom plating. The conversation covers the shift toward high-speed combo signal-and-power connectors, the use of C-Ray mezzanine connectors in VPX systems, and the industry's move toward column solder joints to replace BGA balls for better signal integrity at 224G speeds.

    PCB design & layoutMechanical engineering
    7 chapters

  • · 31m

    Altium & Duro: The PLM Software Built for Hardware Startups

    Michael Corr, founder and CEO of Duro, explains why Altium acquired his cloud-based PLM platform to help hardware startups and small engineering teams manage product data without heavy IT overhead. He details how the Altium Designer plugin publishes library parts and full projects into Duro with part numbers and revision status, while the deeper integration within Altium 365 allows seamless switching between the two interfaces. Corr also highlights Duro's new AI agents that act as RF, mechanical DFM, and supply chain specialists to review change orders for teams that cannot hire those specialized roles. Finally, he emphasizes Duro's API-first architecture, which is designed to be easily consumed by AI coding agents to build custom integrations and extensions.

    Connected products & IoTAI & machine learning
    9 chapters

  • · 50m

    PCB Grounding Mistakes Your Datasheet Taught You

    Dan Beeker, president of System Solution Specialists and former Technical Director at NXP, explains why PCB grounding mistakes originate in datasheets and reference designs rather than the designer. He argues that the industry wastes hundreds of millions annually by blindly copying evaluation board shortcuts, such as split grounds and unnecessary ferrites, instead of applying field-based physics to manage energy in the dielectric. Beeker highlights critical missing data in datasheets, such as switching speeds and core geometry, and advocates for a shift from traditional circuit theory to 3D electromagnetic field analysis to achieve first-time compliance.

    Debugging & failure analysisPCB design & layout
    6 chapters

  • · 38m

    AI PCB Routing Without the Epic Fails: Inside DeepPCB

    Alain-Sam Cohen and Nabil Chouba of InstaDeep’s DeepPCB explain how their reinforcement-learning routing engine, paired with the natural-language orchestrator Cooper, detects design intent like net classes and impedance before routing. They demonstrate how the tool identifies missing context, such as unspecified reference planes and USB impedance mismatches, allowing the AI to flag and fix errors that classic autorouters miss. The guests argue that task-based AI, which focuses on specific optimization problems rather than generating entire designs from vague prompts, is the viable path for hardware automation. They also discuss how DeepPCB integrates with code-based PCB tools by acting as the placement and routing backend for schematic generation.

    PCB design & layoutAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

  • · 39m

    PCB Assembly Mistakes Designers Keep Making: PCB West 2026 Preview

    Zach Peterson hosts Mike Buetow (PCEA), Chrys Shea (Shea Engineering), and Daniel Stanphill (Aurora Boardworks) to preview the circuit assembly track at PCB West 2026. The panel discusses common PCB design-for-manufacturing mistakes, such as using unvalidated datasheet footprints and ignoring padstack constraints, and highlights advanced assembly technologies like placing 2 kg components and 006003 passives. They also cover the importance of networking, talent acquisition, and understanding solder paste and stencil design for successful production.

    Design for manufacturing & NPIManufacturing partners & offshoring
    8 chapters

  • · 36m

    The Custom Power Chip You Configure Yourself: Power GreenPAK

    Sidney Chan, product marketing director at Renesas, explains how Power GreenPAK allows engineers to configure custom power chips with integrated DC-DC converters, LDOs, and load switches at their desk. He demonstrates the SLG51002, an 8-channel high-PSRR LDO, showing how clean power rails prevent visible banding and artifacts on CMOS image sensors in smartphones and automotive systems. Chan also outlines the broader GreenPAK family, including AnalogPAK, HVPAK, and the new ForgeFPGA line, emphasizing system-level efficiency and rapid prototyping over traditional ASIC development.

    PCB design & layoutAnalog & power electronics
    8 chapters

  • · 31m

    AI PCB Design: Turning a 100-Page Spec Into an MCU Shortlist

    Marco Witzmann, Head of Requirements Portal at Altium, demonstrates the new AI-powered engineering assistant within the Altium Requirements Portal, formerly known as Requirements Manager. He walks through a live demo of converting a high-level email about a wind-farm inspection drone into structured requirements, using skills to enforce team standards and generate TBD placeholders. The workflow highlights the AI's ability to break down specs into mechanical, electronics, and flight software categories with full traceability, and specifically how it extracts MCU-driving parameters from a 100-page IMU PDF for Octopart parametric search. Witzmann and host Zach Peterson discuss the tool's role in faster iteration, team standardization, and future roadmap items like API access and ECAD integration.

    EDA & CAD toolsPCB design & layout
    7 chapters

  • · 37m

    Altium Is Coming Home to the Designer | Lawrence Romine on OnTrack

    Lawrence Romine, senior director of marketing at Altium, explains the company's strategic pivot from a single-product model to three distinct offerings: Altium Develop, Teams, and Enterprise. He details how Altium Develop targets individual designers and small teams with a PCB-centric, lower-cost solution that excludes enterprise features like single sign-on, while Enterprise serves regulated industries with governance. Romine also addresses user concerns about being left behind during the shift to cloud collaboration, confirming a return to frequent, feature-rich core PCB design releases similar to the 2015–2020 era.

    EDA & CAD toolsPricing, margins & unit economics
    6 chapters

  • · 38m

    DDR Compliance Simulation in Seconds, Not Days

    Ben Dannan, founder of Signal Edge Solutions, and Tyler Huddleston, an SI/PI engineer at the same company, discuss the challenges of high-speed DDR compliance simulation. They explain how traditional workflows using Keysight ADS Memory Designer can take days and produce false positives, then demonstrate their new tool, MEM Check Pro, which processes HDF5 waveform data to return compliance results in under a minute. The conversation also covers signal integrity issues in thick data center boards, managing loop inductance, and the importance of IBIS model quality.

    Debugging & failure analysisPCB design & layout
    6 chapters

Every episode

102 episodes with a summary and chapters, by year.

202629 episodes
  1. 7 OctPCB Connectors That Survive Space, Shock & 500 Thermal Cycles35m
  2. 30 SeptAltium & Duro: The PLM Software Built for Hardware Startups31m
  3. 23 SeptPCB Grounding Mistakes Your Datasheet Taught You50m
  4. 16 SeptAI PCB Routing Without the Epic Fails: Inside DeepPCB38m
  5. 9 SeptPCB Assembly Mistakes Designers Keep Making: PCB West 2026 Preview39m
  6. 2 SeptThe Custom Power Chip You Configure Yourself: Power GreenPAK36m
  7. 25 AugAI PCB Design: Turning a 100-Page Spec Into an MCU Shortlist31m
  8. 18 AugAltium Is Coming Home to the DesignerLawrence Romine on OnTrack37m
  9. 29 JulDDR Compliance Simulation in Seconds, Not Days38m
  10. 15 JulMayan-on-Chip: Training Mexico's Next Semiconductor Engineers37m
  11. 7 JulAltium API Deep Dive: Opening PCB Data to Developers46m
  12. 23 JunCode-Based PCB Design with AI: Inside atopile44m
  13. 16 Jun70% of PCBs FAIL EMC Testing (And AI Is Making It Worse)43m
  14. 16 JunEMC Testing in the Age of AI: Why Respins Aren't Going Away47m
  15. 19 MayThe Signal Integrity Tool Every Engineer Is Missing47m
  16. 12 MayDrones, Robots & the Low-Altitude Economy: A New Industry Is Born42m
  17. 5 MayPCB Metrology Gap: How SCAN Labs Is Automating Microsectioning51m
  18. 28 AprHigh-Speed Interconnects for AI & Physical AI with Samtec39m
  19. 21 AprAltium File Parsing, AI Design Reviews & PCB Viz Tools49m
  20. 14 AprIs FPGA the Best Engineering Career? With Adam Taylor36m
  21. 24 MarIPC 2221 vs. 2152: The Truth About PCB Trace Current Ratings59m
  22. 17 MarGreenPAK for Automotive: Reliability, Integration & Real-World Demos45m
  23. 13 MarAdvanced Packaging & Chiplet Design with Chipletz37m
  24. 17 FebViolet Labs: The Integration Hub Solving Hardware Data Chaos38m
  25. 10 FebWhy Hardware Startups Are Finally Investable Again43m
  26. 3 FebWhy 90% of Electronics Fail EMC Tests and How to Fix It48m
  27. 27 JanEMC Expert Debunks Common PCB Grounding Myths58m
  28. 13 JanInside Quantum Computing Hardware with Šimon MarekOnTrack46m
  29. 8 JanIs AI an Engineering Teammate in Hardware Design?35m
202542 episodes
  1. 30 DecOnTrack PCB Design Podcast 2025 Year in Review22m
  2. 23 DecBreaking Down Electronics Manufacturing with Jay Patel52m
  3. 16 DecAltium Requirements Portal: Simplifying Engineering Docs44m
  4. 9 DecInside Simberian's AI-Driven Design Automation58m
  5. 11 NovSimplifying BOM Management with Intelligent Platforms53m
  6. 31 OctPCB West 2025: Electronics Industry Insights with Mike Buetow12m
  7. 30 OctCELUS: Simplifying Circuit Design with AI7m
  8. 29 OctOvercoming Global Supply Chain Obstacles in Electronics9m
  9. 28 OctAltium Develop: Returning to Our Roots12m
  10. 23 OctFrom Block Diagram to Schematic in Minutes12m
  11. 22 OctPCB Design Tools for Every Team Size: Altium's New Approach14m
  12. 14 OctProgrammable Logic Made Easy: GreenPAK Tutorial with Dima Mymrikov47m
  13. 7 OctInside Component Testing: Fighting Fakes in the Electronics Industry43m
  14. 30 SeptNew PCB Assembly Method Promises Higher Reliability & Lower Cost36m
  15. 25 SeptSupply Chain Cost Modeling with Tset's Data-Driven Platform35m
  16. 16 SeptStudents Tackle PCB Design Challenge: From Schematic to Robot30m
  17. 26 AugPCB Industry Evolution: From Mom & Pop Shops to Consolidation38m
  18. 19 AugHigh Power PCB Design: Pushing the Limits with Caleb Buck50m
  19. 12 AugChemical-Free PCB Production: How uFab is Changing Everything33m
  20. 5 AugSignal Integrity, Thermal & DFM: PCB West Preview with Keven37m
  21. 31 Jul18-Year-Old Founder: Why America Needs Its Own Drone Industry36m
  22. 30 JulInside PCBAA's Fight for American Circuit Board Manufacturing38m
  23. 1 JulAI-Powered PLM: The Future of Hardware Product Lifecycle Management41m
  24. 24 JunAI-Powered PCB Supply Chain Management with Luminovo's Timon Ruban46m
  25. 17 JunSupply Chain Challenges in Medical Device Manufacturing45m
  26. 10 JunBuilding Modular Open Source Electronics with Lukas Henkel39m
  27. 3 JunEmbedded Systems Engineer Discusses AI-Driven Testing Revolution56m
  28. 21 MayThe Future of PCB Design Education: HaSofu Founder Kirsch Mackey51m
  29. 9 MayPCB East 2025: Exhibitors, AI Trends & Networking Opportunities44m
  30. 22 AprScaling an Electronics Design Business: Insights from Jordan Danko46m
  31. 21 AprHigh Current PDN Design: Engineer of the Year Reveals Industry Secrets42m
  32. 21 AprSolving PCB Library Nightmares with Kristen Aguiar36m
  33. 20 AprStructural Electronics in Altium Designer: 3D PCB Designs Explained43m
  34. 19 AprSolving PCB Library Issues: Expert Advice from Elizabeth Bustamante50m
  35. 18 AprThe Future of PCB Manufacturing: Tariffs, Supply Chains & More51m
  36. 17 AprHow PCEA is Transforming Electronics Education55m
  37. 16 AprWhat to Expect at IPC APEX 2025: Standards, Innovation & Networking32m
  38. 4 FebUHDI, AI, and Solder Paste Innovation51m
  39. 31 JanWhat's Driving the Next Wave of Electronics Engineers?39m
  40. 30 JanWhat Will the Future Hold for Ultra HDI in PCB Design?41m
  41. 29 JanWhy Reshoring Electronics to the US is Harder Than You Think46m
  42. 28 JanExploring Cross-Disciplinary Integration in CAE and EDA37m
202431 episodes
  1. 16 DecHow Denpaflux Simplifies EMC Testing43m
  2. 13 NovE-Waste Crisis: How Component Sense is Making a Difference53m
  3. 2 NovPCB West: PCB Design Tips with Neil Chamberlain of Polar Instruments11m
  4. 31 OctCounterfeit Detection & Supply Chain Risks with Cofactr14m
  5. 16 OctAutomating Requirements: How Altium 365 is Changing Engineering30m
  6. 13 OctHDI, Manufacturing Clashes, and More with Mike Tucker35m
  7. 10 OctDesign for AI & the PCB Design Education Revolution w/ John Watson36m
  8. 19 SeptUnpacking Altium Education's Student Initiatives in India & Beyond33m
  9. 30 JulAI Vision Systems in Manufacturing with Deepview's Eliyahu Davis47m
  10. 30 JulIPC Courses, PCB Design Practices & Advanced Materials with Kris Moyer42m
  11. 30 JulThe Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles42m
  12. 25 JulEMI Pitfalls, Tips and Careers with Joost Brilman40m
  13. 26 JunPCB Thermal Design Deep Dive with Ethan Pierce40m
  14. 20 JunModern vs. Old School Signal Integrity w/ Donald Telian47m
  15. 12 JunEdge Devices and LLMs: What's Ahead for AI41m
  16. 4 JunTalking Signal Integrity & PCB Laminates w/ Bert Simonovich57m
  17. 29 MayOpen Source Projects Overview: Laptop and Raspberry Pi CM4 Module43m
  18. 21 MayMaking Electronics Culture Cool Again: The Circuit Pulse Show34m
  19. 14 MayEnvisioning an Energy Efficient Tech Future54m
  20. 7 MayEMC Troubleshooter Min Zhang on Measuring Ground w/ Voltage & Current41m
  21. 1 MayIntro EMC: Compliance, Opportunities & Pitfalls with Anton Tishchenko41m
  22. 23 AprUnpacking Semiconductor Packaging: Insights with Jan Vardaman30m
  23. 16 AprThe Latest in PCB Simulation: Expert Insights with Yuriy Shlepnev1h 15m
  24. 9 AprBehind the Tech: Passion & Perseverance in Electronics Design28m
  25. 2 AprChatting Ultra HDI: Chrys Shea, PCB Miniaturization & Challenges Ahead47m
  26. 26 MarThe Critical Shift: Bridging the Generational Gap in PCB Design33m
  27. 19 MarRevolutionary System Design: How Valispace is Changing Engineering33m
  28. 12 MarUHDI Innovations & Next-Gen PCBs with Kunal Shah, PhD.44m
  29. 5 MarESG, Sustainability, & the Future of Electronics w/ Tom Raftery46m
  30. 27 FebPCBs, Global Innovation Policy & the CHIPS Act49m
  31. 21 FebInnovations in AI: Transforming the Electronics Industry39m

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