# Talking Signal Integrity & PCB Laminates w/ Bert Simonovich

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2024-06-04
- Length: 57m
- Episode: 269
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-06-04-talking-signal-integrity-pcb-laminates-w-bert-simonovich
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/talking-signal-integrity-pcb-laminates-w-bert-simonovich/

## Summary

Bert Simonovich, founder of Lansim Enterprises, explains how dielectric anisotropy in PCB laminates affects signal integrity modeling for high-speed designs like 112 Gbps systems. He details the difference between in-plane and out-of-plane dielectric constants (DK) caused by glass weave and resin content, and describes a heuristic method to calculate effective DK values for transmission lines and vias. Simonovich also discusses the impact of copper roughness and pressed thickness on impedance accuracy, emphasizing the need for validation through test structures.

## Chapters

- [1:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-06-04-talking-signal-integrity-pcb-laminates-w-bert-simonovich#t=90) Introduction to Dielectric Anisotropy
- [3:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-06-04-talking-signal-integrity-pcb-laminates-w-bert-simonovich#t=213) In-Plane vs. Out-of-Plane DK and Modeling Errors
- [12:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-06-04-talking-signal-integrity-pcb-laminates-w-bert-simonovich#t=730) Heuristic Calculation of Effective DK
- [25:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-06-04-talking-signal-integrity-pcb-laminates-w-bert-simonovich#t=1537) Impact of Thickness, Resin Content, and Roughness
- [35:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-06-04-talking-signal-integrity-pcb-laminates-w-bert-simonovich#t=2107) Via Modeling and Rise Time Resolution
- [48:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-06-04-talking-signal-integrity-pcb-laminates-w-bert-simonovich#t=2903) Future Challenges: 224 Gbps and Skew Budgets

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Lansim Enterprises (company)
- Isola (company)
- Rogers (company)
- IPC TM 650 (tool)
- HFS (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Eric Bogatin - Tilded Thumb Tenets](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-06-04-an-interview-with-eric-bogatin-tilded-thumb-tenets) (The Amp Hour)
- [Bringup Lab Chronicles: A Measurement Two Years in the Making](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-08-23-bringup-lab-chronicles-a-measurement-two-years-in-the-making) (Oxide and Friends)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-12-03-the-spark-gap-episode-22) (The Spark Gap)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2016-02-10-the-spark-gap-episode-45) (The Spark Gap)
- [Ergs Per Second](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-11-ergs-per-second) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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