2015 Magazine Archives

• View the Digital Edition

FEATURES

THERMAL MANAGEMENT
Trace Current/Temperature Relationships
Remember the current carrying capacity charts in IPC-D-275? Those charts that were impossible to read without an eye loupe, and of questionable validity to boot? It’s long past time that designers had a clear, comprehensive understanding of why traces heat up with current. A look at the basic physics, plus an explanation and evaluation of the current carrying chart data from the IPC standards. When optimizing board area to take into account thermal effects, thermal simulation tools appear the best way to go.
by Douglas G. Brooks, Ph.D. and Johannes Adam, Ph.D.

PCB DESIGN
Rigid-Flex PCB Design for an Innovative Helmet-Mounted Display
To create a prototype binocular holographic waveguide visor display, an Air Force pilot, a cutting-edge high-speed design and HDI boards were used to significantly decrease cost, volume and weight of the traditional helmet-mounted displays.
by Dr. Dave Cowl

FIRST PERSON

• CAVEAT LECTOR
  X-ray vision.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• ROI
  The software-hardware showdown.
  Peter Bigelow
  

• FOCUS ON BUSINESS
  Don’t make poor marketing your brand.
  Susan Mucha
  
  

TECH TALK

• DESIGNER’S NOTEBOOK
  Suppressing unwanted emissions.
  Patrick Carrier
• TECH TIPS
  Good powder.
  Tim O’Neill and Karl Seelig