|  Created: March 3, 2022
 | 
Updated: July 1, 2024
February 18, 2022
ONTRACK BI-WEEKLY
The newest release of Altium Designer brings users new supply chain insights, DFM features, and additional simulation features in SPICE. The biggest enhancements in this newest release include:
Simulation
The SPICE simulation package in Altium Designer 22 now includes Monte Carlo. Results can be displayed in an easy-to-read histogram for sensitivity analysis.
Assembly
Solder paste settings have been improved to help users specify relative pad size values in percentages as well as absolute values.
Supply Chain
Always make sure you have the latest supply chain data in-app with Part Insights Experience.
Libraries
Keep your libraries current with the most recent sourcing data with the Component Health Monitor.
Data Management
Now you can visually compare changes between revisions in Altium 365.
Routing
Enhanced intelligent routing helps automate routing in some of the most sensitive design areas.
When should you worry about power plane resonances, and when do they become very apparent in your PCB? Zach shows you how to identify these from PDN impedance measurements.
One misconception about fabricators is that they always fabricate boards perfectly. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to keep your fabricator accountable and manufacture successfully.
Upverter Education Joins Google for Education Initiative and Chromebook App Hub
Altium LLC announced that Upverter Education has become an official Google for Education Partner as the first browser-based printed circuit board (PCB) design curriculum available on the Google Chromebook App Hub.
A 19-year-old security researcher claims to have hacked remotely into more than 25 Tesla Inc. cars in 13 countries. In a series of tweets, David Colombo stated that a software flaw allowed him to unlock doors and windows, start the cars without keys and disable their security systems.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) announced plans for as much as $44 billion in new capital expenditures in 2022. The company believes demand could grow by up to 20 percent during the next few years.
Future electronic components might one day operate with THz light sources. Researchers at Austrian University TU Wien (Vienna) have created a simple and compact source of terahertz radiation that emits 10μW at its 525GHz fundamental and 70μW at 330GHz.
Mobile devices still reign supreme, but PC sales have been steadily rebounding since 2017. The PC market grew 14.8% in 2021, shipping the largest number of desktops, laptops, and workstations in a single year since 2012.
There are now thousands of sensor products on the market. Adherence to a new set of standards can help ensure easy interoperability and drive new applications.
We are thrilled to have Stephen Chavez on the podcast again! He is one of the respected Electrical Engineers in the electronics industry. In this episode, Stephen generously shares his experience working as a PCB designer and how he sees the evolution of the electronics industry.