Northwest Engineering Solutions

NWES is here to help innovators stay at the cutting edge. We provide PCB design and layout services for a range of products, including defense & aerospace, high frequency RF/telecom, high speed backplanes, and custom computer systems. Contact us today to discuss your next project! https://lnkd.in/gMCCh_M #pcbdesign #electronics #rfengineering #aerospace #electronicsengineering

Whenever we get asked to rework a PCB layout, what do you think is the first thing we look for in the design? The most common culprit is split ground planes. Routing over complete ground planes makes routing easier and it makes EMC easier, but with very low additional cost to the PCB. NWES founder Zachariah Peterson explains in this Q&A video clip. SUBSCRIBE TO ZACH ON YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/g6ZvG-Xx WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/gwcg2qid #pcbdesign #electronicsengineering #emc

NWES founder Zachariah Peterson answers questions from Altium Academy videos about everyone's favorite topics: ferrite beads! He also addresses flyback converters, and much more... Also thanks to superfan Fedi Makni for the question on panelized PCBs! Watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gjJMWJ7n Subscribe to Zach on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g6ZvG-Xx Subscribe to Altium Academy on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gy8c7c_T #pcbdesign #electronicsengineering #signalintegrity

Is there an absolute "best" material for high-speed PCBs? Not really... if you read guidelines from some companies, they usually state to use a "low-Dk" laminate, but not much else. In this article, Zachariah Peterson breaks down the PCB material options that can support high-speed signaling. https://lnkd.in/gBBjisxY #pcbdesign #electronicsengineering #electronicsdesign

Do differential pairs require a ground plane? Technically the answer is "no" as we would see in 2-wire twisted pair, However, the presence of a ground pane does impact the electromagnetic field distribution around a differential pair. The location of a ground plane also impacts the amount of differential crosstalk, susceptibility to common-mode noise, and the spacing required between traces in order to hit an odd-mode impedance target. Learn more about this important topic from Zachariah Peterson https://lnkd.in/gqq3j-Zs #pcbdesign #electronicsdesign #signalintegrity

I can't tell you how many times we hear objections to 4-layer PCBs... In our experience, most commercial products will need a 4-layer #pcb that is equipped for high-speed digital signaling as an entry level design. But sometimes, you can get away with a 2-layer PCB if you follow the right design approach, and that includes designs that use reasonably fast SPI signaling or fast GPIOs. Zachariah Peterson breaks down these two design approaches with an eye towards signal integrity, EMI/EMC, and DFM. https://lnkd.in/ghvpi8mc #pcbdesign #electronicsengineering #pcbmanufacturing #electronicsmanufacturing

Standard stackups are a very useful tool for many designs, particularly if you do not have an impedance requirement or if you are operating below the frequency limits where RF losses start become obvious. These #pcb stackups are also useful for prototyping, where you just need to get something done quickly and without excessive headache selecting materials. But can you trust a standard stackup when scaling into volume production, or with a more advanced design? What about a bespoke stackup from a PCB manufacturer? Zachariah Peterson breaks down the pros and cons of standard PCB stackups in this article. https://lnkd.in/gZzXDj_E #pcbdesign #electronicsengineering #pcbmanufacturing #electronicsmanufacturing

Thick or thin PTFE in your #rf #pcb - which is the best choice? PCB design expert and NWES founder Zachariah Peterson gives an overview of when to use these different options for an RF design. https://lnkd.in/g-hkgX29 #pcbdesign #electronicsengineering #electronicsmanufacturing

We see a lot of client designs where an engineer thinks they need galvanic isolation and an isolated DC/DC converter. Zachariah Peterson also sees the same on Altium? Academy... so do you really need an isolated converter? Here are a few applications where it is essential. https://lnkd.in/gWyMekqJ #pcbdesign #electronicsengineering #powersupply

The list of common EMC failures in PCBs is not as long as you might think. We compiled a list to help designers anticipate when their design is at risk of EMC failure. This list is not comprehensive of course, but it covers a diverse range of situations and illustrates a range of simple solutions that help prevent EMC testing failures. https://lnkd.in/gQRuTXY9 #electronicsengineering #pcbdesign #electromagnetics #emc