A single trial on a sample-size of one merely gives you an indication of truth but is not conclusive. Because of this, the ability to automate your primary test and debug equipment can be immensely powerful. Let your equipment do the work while you deliberate over the latest TPS reports. This post will focus on […]
Year: 2018
Python: MatPlotLib Data Visualization Example
After collecting your data as part of a V&V effort, it helps to be able to visualize it to help determine a PASS or a FAIL. This post will walk you through a couple setups. The Data Files For the purposes of this example, you will find a couple of CSV files on my GitHub […]
Python: Working with CSV Files
One of the primary tasks I personally use Python for is data collection and manipulation. In this post I’ll walk you through some basic CSV file work. Reading from a CSV File Take the CSV file below, it’s a collection of collected ADC points with the acquisition number preceding it. We’re going to take this […]
Python: Setting Up an Environment
Python is a great tool to quickly and easily automate a task or crunch some data. Python XY is a distribution that provides an incredibly simple installer and pulls together an assortment of packages aimed at analysis for scientists and engineers. You can download the installer from the Python XY Website Here. The installer is […]
IPC-7351 Land Patterns
Like most trades, there are organizations that publish standards and processes that help govern and provide guidance. Electronics is no different. The IPC (Institute for Printed Circuits) (http://ipc.prg/) produces a series of standards documents. Here, we’ll focus on IPC-7351 – Generic Requirements for Surface Mount Design and Land Pattern Standard. It can be purchased from […]
Cheatsheet: Trace Width and Mils to Metric Conversion
I’m partial to printable quick-references. This one breaks down the mil-to-metric conversions and their associated current capacities at 1-oz and 2-oz copper at both internal and external copper layers. The current capacity values are formula driven based on the IPC-2221 standard. So the tables can be easily reduced, extended, or reformatted as needed. Click on […]
Cheatsheet: Mounting Hole Reference (metric)
I find cheatsheets like these very useful. Easily printable to my cubicle wall for a quick reference and sanity check when trying to get a board to prototype status as quickly as possible.
GrabCAD: Component Models
I’m a big stickler for accurate 3D models in layouts. With today’s tighter mechanical integration it’s always useful to ensure clearances and if the exported model from ECAD is accurate as possible then there isn’t a chance that something could be placed wrong when added in MCAD. Plus, it adds an additional check with new […]
Altium Tip: Automatically Repour
One of the very useful features in Altium Designer is the automatic DRC. However, when working with poured polygons it can be annoying to constantly right-click and repour. Luckily, there’s a setting for this! Under the Tools > Preferences menu look for the Polygon Rebuild section under PCB Editor > General
Top Markings for LT Parts
One of the best ways to learn how to engineer something is to take an existing design and reverse engineer it to find out how it works. Most semiconductors are too small to list the entire part number on the packaging so most companies apply a shorthand code. The link below provides a list of […]