# Downward Sloping Trace

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2019-03-31
- Length: 1h 07m
- Episode: 436
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-03-31-downward-sloping-trace
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/436-downward-sloping-trace/

## Summary

Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the 'design deja vu' of independently creating nearly identical 1996 logic analyzer projects using Lattice Semiconductor CPLDs, and the technical nuances of timing vs. state analysis. They then detail the thermal design challenges of Jones's 'Micro Supply' project, explaining the decision to use a custom die-cast heat sink and plastic enclosure to achieve high volumetric efficiency. The conversation concludes with a critique of KiCad's via placement workflow and a recommendation for the book 'The Practicing Mind'.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-03-31-downward-sloping-trace#t=0) Introduction and Keysight Contest
- [8:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-03-31-downward-sloping-trace#t=530) Design Deja Vu: 1996 Logic Analyzers
- [12:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-03-31-downward-sloping-trace#t=735) Timing vs. State Analysis in Logic Analyzers
- [28:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-03-31-downward-sloping-trace#t=1711) Thermal Design and Custom Heat Sinks
- [53:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-03-31-downward-sloping-trace#t=3227) KiCad Workflow and Via Placement
- [1:01:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-03-31-downward-sloping-trace#t=3680) The Practicing Mind and Conclusion

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Keysight (company)
- Lattice Semiconductor (chip)
- ISP 1016 (chip)
- Elector Electronics (other)
- Electronics Australia (other)
- KiCad (tool)
- Micro Supply (product)
- Rigol (company)
- DP832 (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 313: Capacitor Plague, Wireless Power, and Tiny Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-21-ep-313-capacitor-plague-wireless-power-and-tiny-everything) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [052 - Twitter Is My Lab Notebook](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2021-10-26-052-twitter-is-my-lab-notebook) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [PCB Thermal Design Deep Dive with Ethan Pierce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-06-26-pcb-thermal-design-deep-dive-with-ethan-pierce) (OnTrack)
- [Ep 313: Capacitor Plague, Wireless Power, and Tiny Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-21-ep-313-capacitor-plague-wireless-power-and-tiny-everything-b56cece1) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep069: Calculator Controversy, Socketing SOIC, Metal on the Moon, and Basking in Bench Tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-05-29-ep069-calculator-controversy-socketing-soic-metal-on-the-moon-and-basking-in-ben) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-03-31-downward-sloping-trace. 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 The Amp Hour.