# The Signal Integrity Tool Every Engineer Is Missing

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2026-05-19
- Length: 47m
- Episode: 343
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing/

## Summary

David Banas, a Solutions Engineer at Keysight, discusses three open-source Python packages—PyBERT, PyIBIS-AMI, and PyChopMarge—that provide accessible alternatives to expensive commercial signal integrity simulation tools. He demonstrates how PyBERT generates eye diagrams and bathtub curves to analyze jitter and equalization techniques like CTLE and DFE for high-speed serial links. Banas also explains how PyIBIS-AMI allows developers to test and debug IBIS-AMI models, while PyChopMarge offers a Python implementation of the COM (Channel Operating Margin) standard for rapid link assessment. The conversation highlights the transition from proprietary MATLAB environments to open-source Python ecosystems, driven by cost-cutting measures at Xilinx and the growing community adoption of Python in hardware engineering.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing#t=0) Introduction: David Banas and Keysight's Role
- [1:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing#t=86) Banas's Early Electronics Background and Career Path
- [8:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing#t=507) Overview of Open Source SI Tools: PyBERT, PyIBIS-AMI, PyChopMarge
- [10:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing#t=611) PyBERT Demo: Eye Diagrams, Bathtub Curves, and Jitter Analysis
- [26:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing#t=1572) PyIBIS-AMI: Testing and Debugging IBIS-AMI Models
- [33:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing#t=2004) PyChopMarge: Python Implementation of Channel Operating Margin
- [34:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing#t=2093) Transition from MATLAB to Python at Xilinx and Keysight
- [42:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing#t=2558) Future Roadmap: Ethernet Standards and Community Contributions

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Keysight (company)
- PyBERT (tool)
- PyIBIS-AMI (tool)
- PyChopMarge (tool)
- Xilinx (company)
- MATLAB (tool)
- Python (other)
- NumPy (tool)
- SciPy (tool)
- scikit-rf (tool)
- ADS (tool)
- Cadence (company)
- Altium Designer (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Compact High Speed Design with Lukas Henkel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-10-31-compact-high-speed-design-with-lukas-henkel) (The Amp Hour)
- [Pulled From A Working Environment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-01-pulled-from-a-working-environment) (The Amp Hour)
- [Open Source Tapeout with Matthew Venn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn) (The Amp Hour)
- [010 - T0015! Part 0x3 - Debug Interfaces](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2018-05-15-010-t0015-part-0x3-debug-interfaces) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [025 - Opaque Magisterium](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-08-14-025-opaque-magisterium) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-19-the-signal-integrity-tool-every-engineer-is-missing. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to OnTrack.