February 2023 – Apex Waves

February 16, 2023April 6, 2023

Simulating Circuits With SPICE

Light blue holographic 3D model of a circuit board

It is no secret that simulation and testing is an important part of designing circuits. Due to the high costs of photolithographic masks and additional production materials, it is highly preferred to have integrated circuits as close to perfect as possible before they are constructed. Integrated circuits cannot be breadboarded prior to production (unlike board-level designs made up of discrete pieces), so what is the best way to simulate them? The solution comes in the form of the computer program SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis).

February 9, 2023April 6, 2023

The Beginner’s Guide to Test Equipment Obsolescence

Female chemical engineering with long dark hair in a white lab coat works at a lab table, pictured from behind

Addressing test equipment obsolescence can be a daunting task, further complicated by the speed of innovation. However, you don’t need to be a seasoned engineer or technician to understand the importance of the topic! This post will go over the basics of test equipment obsolescence, providing a starting point for anyone new to the industry or simply looking for a comprehensible guide.

February 2, 2023April 6, 2023

Impacts on the Semiconductor Industry in 2022

When you think of the phrase “small, yet mighty”, do semiconductors come to mind? While the size of these electronic chips continues to decrease, their status as the powerful building blocks of modern electronics only increases. The Semiconductor Industry Association recently released their official “2022 State of the U.S. Semiconductor Industry” report detailing the status of this multifaceted industry within the United States and on a global scale. As we reflect on the past year, what are some events and innovations that made a big impact on the industry overall?