Modern vs. Old School Signal Integrity w/ Donald Telian

OnTrack · 20 Jun 2024 · 47m · Episode 271

What this episode covers

Donald Telian, founder of SI Guys and originator of the IBIS modeling standard, discusses the evolution of signal integrity from 'old school' transmission line theory to modern equalization-based design. He explains how IBIS-AMI models abstract complex IC behaviors to enable efficient simulation, while warning that model quality and correlation with measurement remain critical challenges. Telian also shares insights from his consulting career and his multidimensional training approach, which includes in-person classes and running.

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
SI Guys, Cadence, Intel, Hewlett Packard, Altium
Also
IBIS, IBIS-AMI

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 26m

    An Interview with Dr. Howard Johnson - Winsome Waveform Wizardry

    Dr. Howard Johnson, author of 'High Speed Digital Design: A Handbook of Black Magic' and a high-speed signal integrity consultant, discusses the evolution of signal integrity, the importance of mentorship, and the practical realities of designing high-speed systems. He explains how adaptive equalization works, the limitations of cheap cables, and why right-angle PCB traces are less problematic than often believed. Johnson also shares insights from his work on Ethernet standards, his teaching at Oxford University, and the historical progression of communication technologies from binary to multi-level signaling.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 27m

    An Interview with Kieran O'Leary

    Chris Gammell, founder of Mixed Signal Systems, discusses his career transition from application engineering at semiconductor giants like Xilinx and Wolfson Microelectronics to running his own consultancy. He details the high-pressure environment of supporting tier-one customers with new silicon, the technical challenges of designing evaluation boards under compressed timelines, and the critical importance of understanding return current paths to avoid signal integrity and EMC failures in mixed-signal designs.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 33m

    An Interview with Eric Bogatin - Tilded Thumb Tenets

    Eric Bogatin, Dean of the Teledyne LeCroy Signal Integrity Academy, explains the foundational physics of signal integrity, emphasizing that engineers must understand Maxwell's equations and the concept of 'being the signal' to grasp how voltage waves propagate on transmission lines. He outlines three essential rules of thumb: bandwidth is approximately 0.35 divided by rise time, signals travel at roughly 6 inches per nanosecond in FR4, and a 50-ohm microstrip requires a line-to-dielectric thickness ratio of 2:1. Bogatin discusses the importance of using 2D and 3D field solvers like those from Polar Instruments for accurate impedance calculation, particularly with hatched ground planes, and critiques common misconceptions about inductance and capacitance in power distribution networks.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 32m

    The Legend of Keyzermas

    Jeff Kaiser, known as Mighty Ohm, discusses his transition from full-time employment to contracting at Valve, highlighting the financial friction of floating component costs and managing business overhead. He details his focus on signal integrity, explaining the use of vector network analyzers and time-domain reflectometry for high-speed digital design, while recommending key texts by Eric Bogatin and Henry Ott. The conversation also covers the challenges of scaling his Mighty Ohm kit business through a partnership with Elektor, and speculates on 2019 technology trends including USB Type-C adoption, 60 GHz RF, and satellite internet constellations.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 13m

    An Interview with Art Kay

    Art Kay, an application manager at Texas Instruments, discusses his career starting at Burr Brown and the transition to TI, highlighting the shift from laser-trimming bipolar devices to digital trimming in CMOS. He details the evolution of test engineering, from homemade GPIB systems to modern high-speed parallel testers, and explains the distinction between characterization and production test. Kay also introduces TI's Precision Labs, a comprehensive training program featuring video courses and hands-on evaluation modules, designed to teach precision analog design and SAR data converter fundamentals to new engineers and students.

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.