AI, Power Integrity and, the Future of Engineering
In this episode of The EEcosystem Podcast, Judy Warner catches up with legendary power integrity expert Steve Sandler, founder of Picotest, fresh off a European tour of PCIM and the IEEE SPI conference. They dive deep into the unprecedented pace of AI-driven innovation, its impact on power systems and thermal management, and how engineers can stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing landscape.
Steve shares practical advice for engineers—young and seasoned—on building intuition, finding mentorship, and navigating the expanding gap between academia and industry. Plus, hear his take on the role of AI in design tools, the limitations of SPICE, and why old-school wisdom is more important than ever.
🔧 Whether you’re struggling with thermal design, scaling innovation, or just trying to keep up with the AI wave, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
🤝Join The EEcosystem Community for more free engineering resources and member-only benefits at https://theeecosystem.com
Episode Links:
📌 Featured Guest
Steve Sandler – Founder and Managing Director of PicoTest
Connect with Steve: LinkedIn
📚 Resources & Mentions
PicoTest Online Measurement Class
PicoTest Solutions Page
Signal Integrity Journal
DesignCon Call for Papers (2026)
Steve's Recommended Strategy: Pair old wisdom with young energy
Sponsor Links:
📘 Join The EEcosystem Community and receive a free 90-day subscription to all of Eric Bogatin's training at The Signal Integrity Academy. Also enjoy more technical downloads and community member-only benefits.
👨🏽💻For free Technical Resources and to Learn more about Keysight Pathwave EDA Software Solutions visit the homepage now.
💻 Visit Cofactr for AI-Powered real-time part data Intelligence and supply-chain connected workflow and logistics.
🔗For all of your high-speed and RF connectors visit the Samtec website and access excellent engineering resources while you are there.
⛰️Visit Summit Interconnect for all your complex PCB manufacturing needs.
🌎 Visit Isola Group global for High performance laminates and prepreg materials for PCB manufacturing, as well as new IC packaging interposer
💽 For high complexity EDA solutions visit SIEMENS EDA Website
💡For a free subscription Signal Integrity Journal and articles about SI/PI/EMI, news and technical resources follow the link above.
📡 For Custom RF and MW PCBs visit the Transline Technology Website to learn more.
🔌 Picotest specializes in high-fidelity testing and measurement tools, primarily for power-related applications. Visit their website for more product information and excellent training materials from expert Steve Sandler
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43:07
Why Glass Core is the Next Leap in High-Speed Design
In this episode of The EEcosystem Podcast, Judy Warner sits down with Steve Hillerich, Product Manager at Samtec, to explore the breakthrough potential of Glass Core Technology (GCT). Discover how Samtec is redefining high-speed interconnects, miniaturization, and system integration by controlling every aspect of glass substrate development—from TGV drilling to RDL patterning.
Plus, get a sneak peek at Samtec’s upcoming demos at IMS and their exciting work on a Process Design Kit (PDK) for custom glass board designs.
🤝Join The EEcosystem Community for more free engineering Masterclasses from Eric Bogatin, resources, and member-only benefits at https://theeecosystem.com 🔗 Show Links https://Samtec.com/GCT www.samtec.com/IMS 📍 Visit Samtec at IMS Booth #1453 in San Francisco
🤝Join The EEcosystem Community for more free engineering resources and member-only benefits at https://theeecosystem.com
📘 Join The EEcosystem Community and receive a free 90-day subscription to all of Eric Bogatin's training at The Signal Integrity Academy. Also enjoy more technical downloads and community member-only benefits.
👨🏽💻For free Technical Resources and to Learn more about Keysight Pathwave EDA Software Solutions visit the homepage now.
💻 Visit Cofactr for AI-Powered real-time part data Intelligence and supply-chain connected workflow and logistics.
🔗For all of your high-speed and RF connectors visit the Samtec website and access excellent engineering resources while you are there.
⛰️Visit Summit Interconnect for all your complex PCB manufacturing needs.
🌎 Visit Isola Group global for High performance laminates and prepreg materials for PCB manufacturing, as well as new IC packaging interposer
💽 For high complexity EDA solutions visit SIEMENS EDA Website
💡For a free subscription Signal Integrity Journal and articles about SI/PI/EMI, news and technical resources follow the link above.
📡 For Custom RF and MW PCBs visit the Transline Technology Website to learn more.
🔌 Picotest specializes in high-fidelity testing and measurement tools, primarily for power-related applications. Visit their website for more product information and excellent training materials from expert Steve Sandler
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31:59
Evolved Engineering: Eli Hughes on the New Era of Embedded Development
In this conversation, Eli Hughes discusses his journey as a “full-stack hardware engineer” and his work with NXP as a technical content creator. He discusses how he’s leveraged the NXP FRDM (Freedom) development platform and the importance of hands-on learning in engineering education. He emphasizes the accessibility of modern development tools and their impact on both students and professionals in the field. The conversation also covers various applications and use cases for FRDM and other open-source tools.
👇 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more engineering conversations that educate, equip, and inspire!
🤝Join The EEcosystem Community for more free engineering resources and member-only benefits at https://theeecosystem.com
Episode Links:
FRDM Development board and designs
https://www.nxp.com/design/design-center/development-boards-and-designs/frdm-development-boards:FRDM?cid=ad_pro25006_tac2183350
Application Code Hub
https://mcuxpresso.nxp.com/appcodehub
Expansion Board Hub
https://mcuxpresso.nxp.com/eb-hub
Sponsor Links:
📘 Join The EEcosystem Community and receive a free 90-day subscription to all of Eric Bogatin's training at The Signal Integrity Academy. Also enjoy more technical downloads and community member-only benefits.
👨🏽💻For free Technical Resources and to Learn more about Keysight Pathwave EDA Software Solutions visit the homepage now.
💻 Visit Cofactr for AI-Powered real-time part data Intelligence and supply-chain connected workflow and logistics.
🔗For all of your high-speed and RF connectors visit the Samtec website and access excellent engineering resources while you are there.
⛰️Visit Summit Interconnect for all your complex PCB manufacturing needs.
🌎 Visit Isola Group global for High performance laminates and prepreg materials for PCB manufacturing, as well as new IC packaging interposer
💽 For high complexity EDA solutions visit SIEMENS EDA Website
💡For a free subscription Signal Integrity Journal and articles about SI/PI/EMI, news and technical resources follow the link above.
📡 For Custom RF and MW PCBs visit the Transline Technology Website to learn more.
🔌 Picotest specializes in high-fidelity testing and measurement tools, primarily for power-related applications. Visit their website for more product information and excellent training materials from expert Steve Sandler
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33:30
100th Episode Special: Launching Transmission Lines 101 and a New Masterclass Series with Eric Bogatin
In this special 100th episode, Judy Warner welcomes Dr. Eric Bogatin to celebrate and share an exciting announcement: the launch of Transmission Lines 101, the first course in The EEcosystem Electronics Masterclass series. Thanks to sponsors Rohde & Schwarz and Polar Instruments, this foundational course is offered FREE to engineers worldwide. Tune in to learn more about the Masterclass vision, what the course offers, and what’s ahead for The EEcosystem community.
🤝Join The EEcosystem Community for more free engineering resources and member-only benefits at https://theeecosystem.com
Episode Links:
Register Now for FREE Electronics Masterclass: Transmission Lines 101 with Prof Eric Bogatin
https://www.theeecosystem.com/master-classes
Join the EEcosystem for a FREE 90-day subscription to the Signal Integrity Academy. 200+ hours of online Eric Bogatin training!
https://theeecosystem.com
Get your FREE Subscription to Signal Integrity Journal (Technical Editor, Eric Bogatin)
https://www.signalintegrityjournal.com/
Eric Bogatin’s book Signal and Power Integrity - Simplified
https://tinyurl.com/36rfwyec
Eric Bogatin Books from Artech House
https://us.artechhouse.com/cw_Search.aspx?k=Eric+Bogatin
Sponsor Links:
📘 Join The EEcosystem Community and receive a free 90-day subscription to all of Eric Bogatin's training at The Signal Integrity Academy. Also enjoy more technical downloads and community member-only benefits.
👨🏽💻For free Technical Resources and to Learn more about Keysight Pathwave EDA Software Solutions visit the homepage now.
💻 Visit Cofactr for AI-Powered real-time part data Intelligence and supply-chain connected workflow and logistics.
🔗For all of your high-speed and RF connectors visit the Samtec website and access excellent engineering resources while you are there.
⛰️Visit Summit Interconnect for all your complex PCB manufacturing needs.
🌎 Visit Isola Group global for High performance laminates and prepreg materials for PCB manufacturing, as well as new IC packaging interposer
💽 For high complexity EDA solutions visit SIEMENS EDA Website
💡For a free subscription Signal Integrity Journal and articles about SI/PI/EMI, news and technical resources follow the link above.
📡 For Custom RF and MW PCBs visit the Transline Technology Website to learn more.
🔌 Picotest specializes in high-fidelity testing and measurement tools, primarily for power-related applications. Visit their website for more product information and excellent training materials from expert Steve Sandler
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23:43
AI Innovation in PCB Design and Manufacturing
Sean Patterson, CTO of Summit Interconnect, joins Judy Warner to explore how AI is transforming PCB manufacturing and design engineering. They discuss industry challenges, workforce adaptation, and how AI can drive collaboration and innovation. Sean also introduces CrossGen.ai, his new online community designed to help engineers and tech professionals navigate the future of AI-driven work.
🤝Join The EEcosystem Community for more free engineering resources and member-only benefits at https://theeecosystem.com
Episode Links:
Summit Website https://summitinterconnect.com/
CrosGen AI Community https://www.crossgen-ai.com/
Sponsor Links:
📘 Join The EEcosystem Community and receive a free 90-day subscription to all of Eric Bogatin's training at The Signal Integrity Academy. Also enjoy more technical downloads and community member-only benefits.
👨🏽💻For free Technical Resources and to Learn more about Keysight Pathwave EDA Software Solutions visit the homepage now.
💻 Visit Cofactr for AI-Powered real-time part data Intelligence and supply-chain connected workflow and logistics.
🔗For all of your high-speed and RF connectors visit the Samtec website and access excellent engineering resources while you are there.
⛰️Visit Summit Interconnect for all your complex PCB manufacturing needs.
🌎 Visit Isola Group global for High performance laminates and prepreg materials for PCB manufacturing, as well as new IC packaging interposer
💽 For high complexity EDA solutions visit SIEMENS EDA Website
💡For a free subscription Signal Integrity Journal and articles about SI/PI/EMI, news and technical resources follow the link above.
📡 For Custom RF and MW PCBs visit the Transline Technology Website to learn more.
🔌 Picotest specializes in high-fidelity testing and measurement tools, primarily for power-related applications. Visit their website for more product information and excellent training materials from expert Steve Sandler
Welcome to The EEcosystem Podcast, a podcast for Electrical Engineers who design and develop advanced technology applications. Each week we feature conversations with experts and subject matter experts that will help you navigate your design across all disciplines and stakeholders through a systems-based perspective. Subjects discussed are packaging, components, supply chain, materials, PCB design, fab, assembly, SI/PI/EMI, RF/MW/mmWave, embedded systems, test and measurement, and more. For more information, please visit our website for more technical resources and to join our online engineering community: https://theeecosytem.com.
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