The Latest in PCB Simulation: Expert Insights with Yuriy Shlepnev

OnTrack · 16 Apr 2024 · 1h 15m · Episode 262

What this episode covers

Yuriy Shlepnev, President and Founder of Simberian Inc., discusses the latest capabilities of Simbeor, a PCB simulation tool designed to simplify signal integrity analysis for layout engineers. He explains how pre-layout and post-layout compliance analysis allows designers to predict interconnect behavior, reduce design iterations, and avoid over-engineering by accurately modeling material properties like conductor roughness. The episode features a detailed demo of Simbeor’s workflow, including linear network analysis, 3D electromagnetic simulation, and automated scripting for comparing board iterations.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • EE Times Current · 34m

    Improving PCB Structural Design and Reliability through Numerical Simulation

    Jean Baptiste Moyet, a multiphysics architect at Altair Engineering, explains how numerical simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), and artificial intelligence are transforming PCB structural design and reliability. He details the workflow from early-stage meshing and material property assignment to complex load case modeling for thermal cycling and drop tests. Moyet highlights how AI-driven optimization helps engineers find the best compromise between cost, manufacturability, and durability, significantly reducing the time needed to iterate on designs compared to traditional experimental campaigns.

  • Moore's Lobby · 56m

    Solving the Hard Problems: Combining AI and Physics for PCB Design

    Sergiy Nesterenko, founder and CEO of Quilter, explains how his company uses reinforcement learning and computational physics to automate PCB layout, aiming to create a 'compiler' for electronics that handles the entire design scope. He recounts his early career at SpaceX, including an internship watching paint dry and a subsequent board fire that highlighted the reliance on tribal knowledge and the failure of traditional auto-routers. Nesterenko details Quilter's workflow, which integrates with existing CAD tools like Altium to generate layouts for test boards and complex single-board computers, while acknowledging current limitations with high-voltage or ultra-dense server designs. The discussion covers the technical strategy of using neural networks to interpolate simulation results, the company's focus on iterative complexity scaling, and a 10-year vision for enabling continuous integration in hardware design.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 07m

    Intelligent Routing with Sergiy Nesterenko

    Sergiy Nesterenko, CEO of Quilter.ai, explains how his company uses generative AI and parallel cloud compute to automate PCB layout from schematics. He discusses the company's pivot from hardware sensors to software, drawing on his experience at SpaceX where manual routing became a critical path bottleneck. Nesterenko details how Quilter handles constraints, validates designs using built-in Maxwell equation solvers, and targets specific fabs like JLCPCB and Oshpark to ensure manufacturability.

  • EE Times Current · 18m

    Accelerating Complex Analog IC Design: The Power of Early Reliability Verification

    Matthew Hogan, Product Management Director at Siemens Digital Industry Software, explains how Insight Analyzer enables 'shift-left' reliability verification for complex analog and mixed-signal IC designs. He details how the tool performs topological state-based analysis on pre-layout netlists to identify leakage paths and domain crossing issues before simulation. Hogan highlights the tool's automatic circuit recognition and integration with Cadence and Siemens Custom IC environments to help designers catch subtle errors early in the flow.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 00m

    Layout Review with Zachariah Peterson

    Zachariah Peterson, founder of Northwest Engineering Solutions and Altium's technical consultant, discusses the state of PCB design, the industry's shift toward EMC expertise, and the impact of AI tooling. He details Altium's acquisition by Renesas, the critical need for engineers to understand manufacturing constraints and stack-ups, and the risks of relying on semiconductor data sheets for EMC guidance. Peterson also shares insights from his 'Layout Review' content series, highlighting common DRC errors and the value of mentorship in a lean industry.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by OnTrack. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.