Frequently Asked Questions

• What types of courses does Speeding Edge provide?
• How long does it to take to complete these courses?
• How do I go about enrolling in one of these courses?
• What do I need to know before attending one of these courses?
• What can I expect to learn by taking one of these courses?
• How much do these courses cost?
• What topics are addressed in the book, "Right the First Time, A Practical Handbook on High Speed PCB and System Design, Volume 1"?
• Who should read this book?
• Do I need a book to attend one of the courses?
• How much does the book cost and how do I go about purchasing it?
• What types of consulting services does Speeding Edge provide?
• How much do these consulting services cost?

Q: What types of courses does Speeding Edge provide?

A: There are two courses offered by Speeding Edge. High Speed PCB and System Design is a thorough, comprehensive two-day course that covers all aspects of design. It begins with the scientific principles involved in high-speed design, explaining each one in detail. The course then addresses design rule creation, organizing the design process, material evaluation and selection and toolset selection and use. The course has been designed such that upon its completion, students can successfully realize their own high-speed PCB/system designs.

The second course offered by Speeding Edge is Simulation Tools and Simulation Methodologies for High Speed PCB and System Design. It is a one-day follow-on course to the High Speed PCB and System Design course that was created in response to requests from numerous students who wanted more information on simulation including demonstrations on the use of simulation tools. This course focuses on the "virtual prototyping" process so that design errors are detected early on in the design process thereby avoiding expensive, time-consuming multiple iterations of hardware. The High Speed PCB and System Design course is a prerequisite for this course.

Both courses are offered as private on-site courses to companies that may have several students needing the course at one time. Information on scheduling private courses may be obtained by contacting info@speedingedge.com. The courses are also taught several times a year as public courses through University of California, Berkeley as extension courses. Information on these public courses can be obtained by contacting, UC Berkeley Extention.

Q: How long does it to take to complete these courses?

A: The High Speed PCB and System Design Course is a complete two-day course. The Simulation Tools and Simulation Methodologies course is a one-day course. The combined High Speed PCB and System Design and Simulation Tools and Simulation Methodologies courses are taught as combined three-day sessions.

Q: How do I go about enrolling in one of these courses?

A: Private on-site courses are arranged on a per company basis by contacting info@speedingedge.com. Information on the public courses can be obtained by contacting, UC Berkeley Extention.

Q: What do I need to know before attending one of these courses?

A: Any engineering professional with a basic familiarity with high-speed design is a candidate for the High Speed PCB and System Design course. No advance mathematics is required. For the Simulation Tools and Simulation Methodologies course, students must first attend the High Speed PCB and System Design course.

"Right the First Time, A Practical Handbook on High Speed PCB and System Design, Volume 1" is also required for both of these classes.

Q: What can I expect to learn by taking one of these courses?

A: Upon completion of the High Speed PCB and System Design Course, students should have a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles involved in high-speed design and be able to develop an efficient design rule set; organize the design process to efficiently execute high-speed designs; evaluate and select PCB materials and fabricators and choose toolsets that will best suit the high-speed design process.

Upon completion of the Simulation Tools and Simulation Methodologies course, students should have a working knowledge of how simulators operate, what simulators to use and how to organize designs to achieve optimum simulation performance.

Q: How much do these courses cost?

A: The cost of private, on-site courses is based upon class size and the courses selected. Companies interested in obtaining information on the cost of a private on-site course should contact info@speedingedge.com. The cost of the public courses conducted through UC Berkeley can be obtained by contacting UC Berkeley Extention.

In addition, "Right the First Time, A Practical Handbook on High Speed PCB and System Design, Volume 1" is a requirement for both the private on-site and public courses.

Q: What topics are addressed in the book, "Right the First Time, A Practical Handbook on High Speed PCBand System Design, Volume 1"?

A: This book describes all of the principles involved in high-speed PCB and System design such as inductance, capacitance, resistance and impedance control. Each principle is defined in terms of its physics and how it applies to high-speed PCB/system implementations. In addition, PCB material and fabricator evaluation and selection, cost issues and design trade-off decisions are discussed in detail.

Q: Who should read this book?

A: Anyone who is involved in the design and implementation of high-speed PCB/system products. While geared towards engineering professionals, the book is eminently readable so that those individuals having to make business decisions relative to the design and implementation of these products will also find the information in the book to be very valuable.

Q: Do I need a book to attend one of the courses?

A: Yes. A copy of "Right the First Time, A Practical Handbook on High Speed PCB and System Design, Volume 1", is required for the High Speed PCB and System Design course as well as for the Simulation Tools and Simulation Methodologies course. The information presented in each course follows the flow of information presented in the book.

Q: How much does the book cost and how do I go about purchasing it?

A: "Right the First Time, A Practical Handbook on High Speed PCB and System Design, Volume 1", is priced at $95.00 a copy and is available for purchase directly on this website. Speeding Edge accepts Visa, MasterCard and AMEX. Alternatively, a purchase order form can be downloaded to fill out and fax or mail to Speeding Edge.

Q: What types of consulting services does Speeding Edge provide?

A: Speeding Edge provides engineering consulting services for select companies involved in designing and implementing high-speed PCB and system products for a variety of end-user applications. These applications include network cards, mobile hand-held devices, consumer products and the latest network server products.

Q: How much do these consulting services cost?

A: Engineering consulting services are priced on a per project/type of service basis. To inquire about services provided and to obtain a bid for engineering consulting services, please contact info@speedingedge.com.