# Lowest Common Denominator Design

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2020-07-26
- Length: 1h 17m
- Episode: 502
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-07-26-lowest-common-denominator-design
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/502-lowest-common-denominator-design/

## Summary

Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the acquisition of Maxim Integrated by Analog Devices, expressing concern over reduced component choice and the end of generous sample programs. They analyze Microchip's recent letter regarding lead times and the realities of semiconductor supply chain bottlenecks. The conversation shifts to PCB design challenges, specifically using JLCPCB's controlled impedance calculators and escaping fine-pitch BGAs using modified pad shapes. Finally, they review a detailed teardown report of a BMW i3 battery pack by Munro & Associates, highlighting the complexity of automotive manufacturing.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-07-26-lowest-common-denominator-design#t=0) Introduction and Maxim/ADI Merger
- [15:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-07-26-lowest-common-denominator-design#t=950) Semiconductor Supply Chain and Lead Times
- [24:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-07-26-lowest-common-denominator-design#t=1456) PCB Stackup and Component Sourcing
- [33:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-07-26-lowest-common-denominator-design#t=2002) Escaping Fine-Pitch BGAs and Cost Trade-offs
- [48:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-07-26-lowest-common-denominator-design#t=2890) BMW i3 Battery Pack Teardown Analysis
- [1:08:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-07-26-lowest-common-denominator-design#t=4091) Intel Fab Tour and Grant Imahara Tribute

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Maxim Integrated (company)
- Analog Devices (company)
- Microchip (company)
- JLCPCB (company)
- Munro & Associates (company)
- BMW i3 (product)
- nRF52 (chip)
- PSoC (chip)
- Grant Imahara (other)

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- [The Spark Gap - Episode 44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-12-25-the-spark-gap-episode-44) (The Spark Gap)
- [471: Bicycle Built For Two](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-22-471-bicycle-built-for-two) (Embedded.fm)
- [Intel Memory | ST SiC | Exclusive with Greg Travis on Boeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-04-05-intel-memory-st-sic-exclusive-with-greg-travis-on-boeing) (EE Times Current)

## 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/2020-07-26-lowest-common-denominator-design. 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.