# What Will the Future Hold for Ultra HDI in PCB Design?

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2025-01-30
- Length: 41m
- Episode: 287
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design/

## Summary

Tara Dunn, Director of Training and Education at SMTA, discusses the evolution of Ultra High Density Interconnect (UHDI) technology with host Zach Peterson. They explore the technical distinctions between SAP and MSAP processes, the critical need for communication between PCB designers and fabricators to avoid assembly defects, and the blurring line between PCBs and semiconductor packages. The conversation highlights SMTA's role in fostering industry collaboration through its UHDI Symposium and educational resources, while addressing the challenges of workforce training and the potential for increased private investment in US PCB fabrication.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design#t=0) Introduction: Zach Peterson and Tara Dunn on UHDI and SMTA
- [2:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design#t=129) Tara Dunn's Background and SMTA's Role in Industry Education
- [9:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design#t=587) Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Communication Gaps
- [13:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design#t=808) UHDI Assembly Challenges and the 90% Capability Gap
- [17:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design#t=1022) SAP vs. MSAP Processes in Ultra HDI Fabrication
- [22:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design#t=1321) Blurring Lines: PCBs, IC Substrates, and Chip-on-Board
- [25:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design#t=1559) The Future of Package Design and Designer Control
- [30:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design#t=1808) Disseminating UHDI Knowledge and the UHDI Symposium
- [37:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-30-what-will-the-future-hold-for-ultra-hdi-in-pcb-design#t=2243) Public vs. Private Investment in PCB Fabrication

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- SMTA (company)
- Veritech (company)
- PCB East (other)
- PCB West (other)
- PCIA (other)
- PCBAA (other)
- Defense Electronics Consortium (other)
- IPC (other)
- Chris Shay (other)
- Digiki (other)
- Renesas (company)
- Altium BI (other)
- CHIPS Act (other)
- PCB Act (other)
- NDAA (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [EMS@C-LEVEL 2022 Season Episode #1 with Altium and MacroFab](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-02-20-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-1-with-altium-and-macrofab) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Layout Review with Zachariah Peterson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-03-11-layout-review-with-zachariah-peterson) (The Amp Hour)
- [Interconnectorama](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-12-11-interconnectorama) (The Amp Hour)
- [322: Learn Assembly Code](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-28-322-learn-assembly-code) (Embedded.fm)
- [Senseless Saccadic Shemozzle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-05-21-senseless-saccadic-shemozzle) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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