EEcosystem Podcast Episodes

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

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.

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

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

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

In this fast-paced episode, we explore how engineering teams can keep up with the breakneck speed of innovation driven by an explosion of new technologies that leverage digital twins, and virtual prototyping. Roberto Piacentini Filho of Keysight shares insights on the evolving role of design engineers in an era where innovation is faster—and cheaper than ever before. If you're navigating workflow choices, tool overload, or seeking clarity on data integration—from electrical to EMI—this episode offers actionable guidance to help you thrive in the next 3–5 years of rapid tech evolution. 🤝Join The EEcosystem Community for more free engineering resources and member-only benefits at https://theeecosystem.com

In this episode, Cofactr CEO, Matthew Haber, unpacks the growing challenges engineers face in today’s volatile electronics supply chain. From rising tariffs and unpredictable trade policies to the critical need for tracking Country of Origin (COO), engineers are now key players in managing risk and cost. We explore how “tariff stacking” can drive up component costs overnight—and how Cofactr’s platform helps hardware teams make faster, smarter sourcing decisions. If you’re designing electronics and want to avoid BOM disruptions, compliance issues, and costly surprises, this is a must-listen!

In this conversation, Judy Warner and Matt Burns dive into the real-world challenges engineers face as data rates push past 224 Gbps and AI strains data center infrastructure. They break down the copper vs. fiber tradeoffs, why optical solutions are becoming critical for longer distances, and how midboard optics offer better flexibility than front panel options. Matt also covers how PCIe and CXL are evolving to support AI workloads and why modular system designs are key to future-proofing networks. Whether you're designing high-speed interconnects or just trying to keep up with industry shifts, this episode unpacks the trends shaping the future of high-speed connectivity.