Nexperia announced the four pin X2SON4 package which is the smallest logic package that can be used without requiring an expensive and fragile step-down mask. Nexperia developed the X2SON packages — part of its MicroPak package range — to provide the smallest footprint for logic functions while ensuring pad pitch remains 0.4mm or over (step-down masks are only […]
PCB Design
Free lit: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to PCB Design
EMA Design Automation announced the launching of its new and free eBook titled,The Hitchhiker’s Guide to PCB Design, a timely and much-needed resource for electrical engineers seeking to understand the complexities involved in PCB design. “The role of the electrical engineer in PCB design is changing,” said Manny Marcano, president and CEO of EMA. “EE’s are […]
Production test socket handles 216-lead quad flat pack devices
A new Stamped spring pin socket addresses high-performance requirements for testing 216 lead Quad flat pack – CBT-QFE-3014. The contactor used in CBT-QFE-3014 socket is a stamped-spring pin with 17-gram actuation force per ball and cycle life of 10,000+ insertions. The self-inductance of the contactor is 0.88 nH, insertion loss < 1 dB at 31.7 […]
CUI partners with SnapEDA to offer free PCB footprint files
CUI today announced that it has teamed up with SnapEDA to provide designers with a catalog of free, ready-to-download PCB footprints and symbols for CUI’s range of board mount electromechanical components. Circuit board design has historically been a time-consuming and challenging process due to the variety of product configurations and standards. With this partnership, users will […]
Ultra-compact cable-to-board connector optimizes space on crowded PCBs
Continuing to extend the breadth of its interconnect solutions, Harwin has announced the latest addition to the M40 series. With phosphor bronze contacts that are rated for currents of up to 1 A, these lightweight, low profile 1-mm pitch units are the smallest in the company’s portfolio of cable-to-board connectors. They have been developed specifically […]
BGA sockets operate up to 75 GHz with 1 dB insertion loss
A new BGA socket design uses high-performance elastomer capable of 75 GHz while exhibiting very low inductance. It can also handle a wide temperature range. The GT-BGA-2082 socket is designed for 6×6-mm package size and operates at bandwidths up to 75 GHz with less than 1 dB of insertion loss. The socket is designed to […]
PCB design: changing the focus
by Craig Armenti, Those of us who have been in the PCB design business for more than a decade either have direct knowledge of, or have heard the stories about, how the profession has evolved since the late 70’s and early 80’s. The shift from drafting tables, Mylar, and hand taping, to light tables, digitizers […]
Circuit simulators target FinFET process IC designs
Synopsys Inc. announced release of the latest versions of its circuit simulation and custom design products—HSPICE, FineSim SPICE, and CustomSim simulators and the Custom Compiler IC design tool—to address the growing need for robust custom design. The growth in automotive electronics and transition to FinFET process nodes have led to a significant increase in IC […]
What electronic manufacturing files do you need for PCB assembly?
Duane Benson, Screaming Circuits For PCB assemblers, manufacturing is all about taking design data and delivering good working circuit boards. Well, it can be just data — as in full turn-key, or data plus some parts, and PC boards — as in a partial turn-key or a kitted job. Regardless of whether designers send parts […]
Analog vs Digital
I am principally an analog designer who also designs custom ICs, but I also get involved in microcontrollers, and CPLD/FPGA design when necessary, which is quite often. Some applications are often clearly digital or analog, but others are not so clear. Which approach you take is likely to depend on your skill-set. A digital engineer […]