About Author

Bil Herd

Bil Herd is a seasoned technology executive and systems architect with expertise in computer systems design, enterprise networking, and ASIC/FPGA development. He has designed scalable multi-state WANs and high-security systems, pioneering traffic models that prefigured modern MPLS networks. With a strong background in e-business integration and security, Bil has driven innovations supporting robust e-commerce and advanced business technology solutions.

Recent Articles

Silk to Solder Mask Clearance: The PCB Design Rule You Need to Add I was impressed that, right out of the box, the stock design rule checks (DRCs) in my copy of Altium 20 pretty much covered all the bases on how to make a “standard” printed circuit board (PCB). Altium Designer defaults to “10 mil” rules, which means that the standard spacing and widths of copper tracks is 10 mils. What's more, most of the other spacings also default to 10 mils. This includes track to track, pads to tracks, through-holes to other Read Article

It’s All Analog “It’s all analog!” I would state emphatically, often banging the table for effect. Those in the room that knew me would continue working, those that didn’t believe me could be seen to roll their eyes, but sometimes I would get the attention of a new hire or someone just out of school, and they might ask “what about digital?” The time was the middle of the 1980s, and I was working at Commodore Business Systems as a senior design engineer, which Read Article