Valley Services Electronics

Silicon Valley’s Premier Electronic and PCB Assembly Blog

The characteristic impedance of transmission lines starts with the board stackup.

Planning BOMs for a Smooth Production

It always helps to start with an ingredient list before shopping. When the only options are multiple trips to the store or buying extra (and figuring out what to do with the excess), a more measured approach to taking inventory prevents purchasing too much or too little. Lest you want to end up with a…

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Semi Conductor

Common Mode vs. Differential Mode: Cut Through the Noise

Imagine trying to have a crucial discussion, but nearby people talk loud enough to interrupt. Not only is it annoying, but it might be so disruptive as to leave all participants confused. Speaking to someone in a rabble is a recipe for miscommunication similar to what occurs in a circuit with appreciable background noise. Circuits…

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pcb footprint creation guidelines

PCB Vias: The Ins and Outs

Connectivity is at the heart of electronic function – without reliable physical connections to support electrical continuity, a PCBA is much closer to an expensive paperweight. The readily apparent traces on the board’s surface highlight connectivity within the plane, but what about inter-layer connection? The PCB via fills this role: it can tunnel through to…

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pcb footprint creation guidelines

MVP vs. POC: The Product Development Process

Before producing a prototype, every new product introduced on the market underwent multiple (sometimes dozens) iterations. Even after prototyping concludes, more revisions are necessary to assure manufacturability for a minimum viable product (MVP). Finally, with enough design iterations, the mass-produced version, as seen on store shelves and in marketing materials, becomes a reality. Developing a…

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