For PCB Designers, Makers and Innovators: OnTrack Newsletter April 2017

Judy Warner
|  Created: July 12, 2017  |  Updated: September 25, 2020
 
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On Track Newsletter
 
On Track Newsletter
April 2017 VOL. 1 No 1
 

Welcome to the first edition of the Altium® newsletter, On Track. First and foremost this has been created with you in mind–the PCB designer, the Maker and the Innovator. This monthly publication has been designed to elevate, inspire and equip designers everywhere to do their magic and to help unleash the next generation of technology.

When a company like Altium begins to “grow up” it’s easy to forget what was most important in the beginning. Therefore, as an organization, we’ve taken some time to reflect and recalibrate. We realize that YOU are what has always been most important to Altium; the tenacious designer who spends long hours puzzling over a challenging design; the student designing his first robot; the tech-entrepreneur pouring her all into a dynamic start-up. You have always been our inspiration for the software we create.

It is our hope that On Track will honor your craft and equip you with helpful resources, as well as keep us on track at Altium to be ever mindful of what’s truly important.

On a personal note, after two decades of working alongside engineers and designers, it is my privilege to act as editor of this newsletter. If you ever have any questions, feedback or ideas for On Track, you can email me directly at judy.warner@altium.com.

Warm Regards,
Judy M. Warner
Director of Community Engagement
 
 
Rock Stars and Superheroes
Highlighting Exceptional PCB Designers
 
Mike Brown is a designer’s designer. He caught the design bug at the tender age of 17 and has never looked back. Recently, he shared the story of his career path from being a young draftsman, to design manager, to entrepreneur and finally selling his company, Interconnect Design Solutions (IDS), last year to the Maryland-based contract manufacturer, Zentech Manufacturing.
 
 
Maker Space
Celebrating Makers and their Cool Stuff
 
Alex Colletta, Benjamin Kitzinger and Ben Jordan of Altium visited the San Diego Maker Faire at Balboa Park to film this mini-documentary featuring Makers and the amazing things they create.
For a Maker Faire in your area CLICK HERE. Altium can be found at the San Diego and San Francisco Maker Faires--join us!
 
 
Maker Space
Ending the “War of Currents” between AC and DC
 
In high school, my physics teacher always used to talk about the “War of Currents” between Edison and Tesla. Back then I never really cared much why Edison preferred DC power for distribution and use, while Tesla favored AC power. That changed when I began to see the “War of Currents” play out firsthand between AC and DC systems on PCBs. Many PCBs today use both AC and DC circuits, and where they meet, there is often trouble in the form of electromagnetic interference (EMI). Luckily, just as the “War of Currents” eventually gave way to peace, the AC and DC signals on modern PCBs can coexist in harmony. The key is isolation.
 
 
Brain Food
 
 

About Author

About Author

Judy Warner has held a unique variety of roles in the electronics industry for over 25 years. She has a background in PCB Manufacturing, RF and Microwave PCBs and Contract Manufacturing, focusing on Mil/Aero applications. 

She has also been a writer, blogger, and journalist for several industry publications such as Microwave Journal, PCB007 Magazine, PCB Design007, PCD&F, and IEEE Microwave Magazine, and an active board member for PCEA (Printed Circuit Engineering Association). In 2017, Warner joined Altium as the Director of Community Engagement. In addition to hosting the OnTrack Podcast and creating the OnTrack Newsletter, she launched Altium's annual user conference, AltiumLive. Warner's passion is to provide resources, support, and advocate for PCB Design Engineers worldwide.

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