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Agile methodology, rooted in the world of software development, has been hailed as a transformative force in the tech industry. However, as we venture into hardware and electronics development, the seemingly smooth adaptation of Agile principles encounters a labyrinth of challenges and misconceptions. In our first installment of this three-part exploration, we analyzed Agile challenges arising from differences between hardware and software...

A mechatronic integrated device (MID) is an injection molded plastic which incorporates a conductive circuit pattern and integrates both mechanical and electrical functions. It’s the fusion between a plastic part and a circuit.  Copper traces are etched onto the surface of the plastic part, creating tracks and pads that can then house electrical components. What you get is a cool electromechanical piece of hardware.   These innovative devices...

Welcome back to the Open Source Laptop Project series! So far, we’ve discussed the functionality and component selection of the lid assembly electronics, we’ve taken a closer look at the schematic capture, and we’ve prepared the project for the PCB layout design. In this update, we’ll tackle the PCB design of the webcam board with some expected challenges ahead; e.g., dealing with the overall small form factor of the board or breaking out the...

Today we're diving head-first into Altium's New Constraint Manager with Andy Critcher, Director at Total Board Solutions. This revolutionary feature is designed to streamline and optimize the process of applying design constraints across multiple nets, making it easier and more intuitive than ever. If you're dealing with high-voltage designs, complex multi-layer boards, or simply looking to enhance productivity, the new Constraint Manager offers...

Agile methodology has become ubiquitous in software development, offering flexibility, adaptability, and collaboration. However, when it comes to hardware, the story takes a different turn. Development teams desire, and often get pressure, to realize the same benefits of Agile that software teams realize but struggle to apply the same principles and tactics. What starts with a healthy skepticism of Agile methods can quickly lead to frustration...

In PCB design and manufacturing, compliance with regulatory standards is not just a best practice; it’s a legal requirement. The standards set out by various regulatory bodies like the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) push designers to create safe, reliable, and interoperable electronic products; this should safeguard consumers from potential risks and businesses from...

Manufactured products leave a trail of technical documentation behind them. Ranging from product specification and regulatory requirements to CAD drawings and manufacturing instructions, companies must maintain these documents throughout the product life cycle. In this process, stakeholders must follow stringent documentation standards to produce safe and reliable products; discrepancies, no matter how minor, can result in miscommunication...

I recently found an old BK Precision 1787 Power Supply in my Dad’s garage and, being the slight hoarder that I am, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to take it home and play with it. Like an abandoned toy, for over a year this power supply sat in my cabinet, collecting dust, just waiting to be played with. I recently pulled it out only to discover that it had an RS-232 port on the back panel: Figure 1:  I wondered to myself, “could I actually...

Gigabit Ethernet is now effectively an entry-level standard for office and commercial networking. There are many components available that can be used to build a simple Ethernet switch, but in this article, we will show an example design for a high port count Ethernet switch. The design shown in this article also includes an expansion for fiber optic cable with an SFP connector. This project requires successful implementation of several common...