Join Seve (founder of tscircuit) and Matt (founder of atopile) as they explore the most exciting developments in the electronics world, focusing on the groundbreaking KiCad 9 release and Microsoft's quantum computing breakthrough!In this information-packed episode, our tech experts dive deep into:* KiCad 9's revolutionary Inter-Process Communication (IPC) API and how it enables external applications to directly interact with KiCad projects* The embedded files feature in KiCad 9 that solves long-standing library management problems* Multiple track drag functionality and other quality-of-life improvements for PCB designers* The challenges of auto-routing and how AI and quantum computing might revolutionize the field* Microsoft's Majorana quantum computing chip breakthrough and its potential applications in electronics design* The shift of cutting-edge research from universities to private industryBut that's not all! Seve and Matt also explore fascinating tangents including:* The evolution of open-source projects like Docker/Podman and how they relate to KiCad's growth* The multi-phase approach to auto-routing and why it's such a difficult problem* The potential of AI in electronics design and the limitations of current approaches* The best PCB manufacturing services and their ordering interfaces (with special mention of Diode Dev's CLI ordering)Whether you're a professional hardware engineer, an electronics hobbyist, or just curious about the cutting edge of technology, this conversation offers unique insights into how the electronics design world is rapidly evolving with new tools and approaches.Watch as Seve and Matt break down complex concepts with real-world examples and share their expert perspectives on where the industry is heading next! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electronics.dev
-------- Â
43:24
Auto-Routing in PCB Design: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Join Seve (founder of tscircuit) and Matt (founder of atopile) as they analyze modern PCB design tools and what is on the horizon for electronics development.In this episode, the duo dives deep into:* The current state of PCB auto-routers and why engineers often distrust them* How chip auto-routers like Triton Route are revolutionizing silicon design* What PCB design could learn from silicon auto-routing algorithms* The importance of design intent in circuit board layout* Why USB-C port implementation often goes wrong (hint: it's about missing resistors!)* The challenge of impedance matching and differential pairs in PCB designPlus fascinating tangents into:* Building link-based vs. net-based design systems* How parts availability and supply chain risk should influence your design choices* The advantages of smooth vs. orthogonal traces in circuit boards* Why government contracts should consider open-source requirements* The powerful role of risk tolerance in Silicon Valley's startup ecosystemWhether you're a hardware engineer looking to improve your PCB designs, a startup founder navigating supply chain challenges, or just curious about the future of electronics design tools, this conversation offers unique insights from two founders at the cutting edge of hardware development.Watch Seve and Matt break down the intricacies of modern PCB design and share their vision for the future of electronics development tools. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electronics.dev
-------- Â
44:20
When Electronics Meet Physics: Boom Supersonic, Circuit Design, and Kangaroos
Join Seve (founder of tscircuit) and Matt (founder of atopile) for a wide-ranging conversation on cutting-edge engineering across multiple domains. This episode takes you from the skies to the circuit board as they explore:* The fascinating physics behind Boom Supersonic's quiet supersonic flight technology* How stratification in the atmosphere can redirect sonic booms away from the ground* The evolution of jet engine design and the "suck, squeeze, bang, blow" cycle* The revolution happening in PCB design with modular reusable components* A deep dive into Atopile 0.3's groundbreaking solver that combines SMT and CAS capabilities* Why the "you can just do things" philosophy is driving innovation in hardware* How integrated electronics are transforming everything from rockets to aircraft enginesPlus entertaining tangents into:* The myth vs. reality of sonic booms breaking windows* The debate about using 100 nanofarad vs. 1 microfarad decoupling capacitors* The limitations of semantic versioning in evolving projects* Why are electronics becoming more tightly integrated with mechanical systems* The surprising similarities between Rocket Lab's Electron rocket and modern jet enginesWhether you're a hardware engineer, aerospace enthusiast, or just curious about the cutting edge of technology, this conversation offers fascinating insights into how innovation is happening across different engineering disciplines and why the boundaries between software and hardware continue to blur.Watch Seve and Matt break down complex engineering concepts while sharing their excitement for the future of technology development. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electronics.dev
-------- Â
42:44
Why your electronics projects keep failing (and how to fix them)
Join Seve (founder of tscircuit) and Matt (founder of atopile) for a fascinating deep dive into system reliability, test automation, and the future of PCB prototyping! 🔧In this episode, our hardware innovators explore:* The hidden math that determines if your projects will succeed or fail* How Tesla solved reliability issues in their MegaPack battery systems* Why most people's approach to testing is fundamentally broken* The exciting future of next-day PCB prototyping in the US* Game-changing AR/VR tools for electronics debuggingPlus exciting discussions on:* Running AI on ‘90s computers (and why it matters for today)* The revolution coming in rapid PCB prototyping* Different approaches to hardware debugging and test points* The fascinating world of solderless connectors and ultrasonic welding* Why China can prototype electronics so much faster than the US (and how we can catch up)Matt shares insights from his experience at Tesla, while Seve brings his expertise in modern testing practices and hardware development. Whether you're a hobbyist working on electronics projects, a professional engineer, or just curious about the future of technology manufacturing, this episode offers valuable insights into building more reliable systems.Watch as Matt and Seve break down complex engineering concepts into practical insights, and get a glimpse into the exciting future of rapid PCB prototyping that could revolutionize hardware development in the US. From probability theory to laser-etched PCBs, this conversation covers the cutting edge of hardware engineering and testing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electronics.dev
-------- Â
41:46
Wire Harnesses Are Dead: The Rise of Flex PCBs
Join Seve (founder of tscircuit) and Matt (founder of atopile) as they explore the fascinating world of modern electronics interconnects and why traditional wire harnesses might be on their way out. In this wide-ranging conversation, they dive into:* Why flex PCBs are becoming the go-to solution for complex electronics* How Tesla's Powerwall 3 uses origami-style flex PCBs to replace wire harnesses* The challenges of designing and manufacturing wire harnesses today* Why standardization isn't always the answer in electronics design* The role of flex PCBs in consumer electronics like DSLR cameras and gaming devicesPlus fascinating tangents into:* The emergence of AI agents in electronics design* The latest developments in DeepSeek and AI models* Dell's new modular port design and repairability in modern laptops* The evolution of MacBook ports and USB-C* Made-in-America manufacturing and rapid prototyping servicesWhether you're a hardware engineer looking to modernize your designs, a startup founder considering manufacturing options, or just curious about the future of electronics, this episode offers unique insights into how flex PCBs are transforming the industry.Watch Seve and Matt break down the technical challenges and opportunities in modern electronics design, from custom wire harnesses to cutting-edge flex PCB solutions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electronics.dev
South Africa