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Exceeding the speed limit is the theme of this issue of Signal Integrity Journal (SIJ), and nowhere is speed more of a design concern than for connectors. As connectors get smaller and denser while handling faster speeds, there is a significant chance that signal interference and crosstalk will increase. The following is a compilation of everyone’s thoughts on what’s new, what’s real, and what we should be worried about.

Rob Russell, VP of Satellite Business Unit at Vicor, discusses the challenges for power in the LEO and MEO satellite market and how those issues are being addressed with new architectures.

As a closing gesture to the SI, PI, and EMC/EMI community, we want to leave all of you with a year-end holiday gift for your continued support.

SIJ recently caught up with Timothy Vang, vice president of marketing and applications for Semtech’s Signal Integrity Products Group about the company’s latest product for 50Gbps PAM4 5G front haul deployments, how signal integrity and RF/wireless design overlap, and what is next for the team at Semtech.

While many already had home lab setups for projects and exploring curiosities, the challenges of the global pandemic have driven many to ramp up their set ups and spend more time at their in-house benches. Over the years, Signal Integrity Journal has worked with many leading industry experts and stars in our field. Some have gamely agreed to play along with me and share images of their home labs. Enjoy the tour!

Most of today’s digital-based products create a large amount of on-board RF harmonic “noise” (EMI). While this digital switching won’t usually bother the digital circuitry itself, that same harmonic energy from digital clocks, high-speed data buses, and especially on-board DC-DC switch-mode power supplies can easily create harmonic interference well into the 600 to 850 MHz cellular phone bands and even as high as 1575 MHz GPS/GNSS bands, causing receiver “desense” (reduced receiver sensitivity).

In an analysis of supply chain data and IPC survey results, Zachariah Peterson gives a measured overview of where we are at, and what might happen next.In an analysis of supply chain data and IPC survey results, Zachariah Peterson gives a measured overview of where we are at, and what might happen next.

Automotive design has captured the public’s imagination, and their expectations are creating countless technical challenges for engineers working in this space. For SI/PI/EMC/EMI engineers, the challenges are unique inside the car due to harsh environments as well as crowded systems.

Here’s a roundup of some of the things taking place at DesignCon 2020.