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In Vibe Coding with AI and Arduinos, we explored the idea of chatting with AI and letting the agent write code for an Arduino. We took it one step further and had Github Copilot’s agentic flow run all the compile and upload commands without lifting a finger. There were a few challenges faced with that workflow but the primary issue was the agent’s inability to run the same Arduino tool commands consistently. Starting a new conversation required...

In today’s automotive industry, the focus on professional electronic component sourcing has never been sharper. As governments around the world incentivize the ‘electrification’ mega trend, OEMs and tiered suppliers are racing to electrify new vehicle portfolios. Four fundamental vehicle platforms are accelerating component demand:  Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) Mild...

As an engineer wearing many hats, I recently put on my firmware cap and tested out the Renesas GreenPAK Programmable Mixed Signal Kit and was rather intrigued. While I’ve dabbled a bit in mixed signal design, I tend to over-engineer solutions with microcontrollers and FPGAs in preference to designing a brand new circuit. Simple clock dividers become complex software. Power sequencing becomes power “state machines” with eventual software overhead...

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, electronics systems must be not only high-performing but also safe, secure, and compliant – especially in safety-critical industries such as automotive, medical technology, or industrial automation. At the same time, companies face growing pressure: cyber threats, evolving regulatory demands (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 61508, ISO 27001), and increasing complexity in product development require...

When most designers find out they need blind vias, they probably default to an HDI design with laser-drilled vias and a sequential lamination process. However, that is not the only way to use blind vias. Both blind and buried vias can be mechanically drilled to provide routing on multiple layers without exposing via landing pads on both sides of the PCB. However, mechanically drilled blind and buried vias have rules which are different from the...

Sustainability and energy efficiency are no longer optional in electronic product development – they are business imperatives. Customers, investors, and regulators increasingly demand eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and durable products. But how can development teams meet these expectations while staying innovative, cost-effective, and compliant? What You'll Learn: Why sustainability and energy efficiency are top priorities for modern...

Modern electronics products are complex, with embedded software and custom circuits playing key roles in providing system functions. The complexity leads to problems like system hanging, unexpected software or firmware faults, or circuit glitches that require system resets. Sometimes, momentary system-level faults occur that disable a system, requiring a full reset without intervention from the user. A watchdog timer is an ideal component for...

Design reviews play a critical role in the development and regulatory approval of medical devices. Within the framework of the FDA’s Quality System Regulation (QSR), specifically under 21 CFR Part 820.30, design reviews are not just procedural formalities, they are essential checkpoints that help ensure a device is safe, effective, and meets both user needs and regulatory expectations. These reviews are structured opportunities for cross...

We’ve all been there, you submit what looks like a solid design, only to run into questions about material substitutions, unexpected impedance calculation results, or a worst-case scenario, a PCB that comes back from the fabricator warped beyond usability. While there are many variables that impact yield and reliability, your PCB stack-up is often the unsung hero, or the hidden culprit. For PCB designers working on high-density, high-speed, flex...