Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Altium Develop helps your team avoid costly EMC failures by giving engineers, manufacturers, and reviewers shared visibility into PCB designs before they ever leave for fabrication: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=signal-integrity&utm_content=why-datasheet-pcb-guidelines-are-often-wrong
Semiconductor datasheets are supposed to help you design better PCBs — but what happens when their layout advice is outdated, untested, or flat-out wrong? In this video, Zach Peterson digs into the persistent problem of bad PCB design guidelines found in datasheets and application notes from major semiconductor manufacturers. Through viewer comments, real datasheet examples, and insights from industry experts, Zach explores why companies continue to recommend practices like splitting analog and digital ground planes — advice rooted in the 1980s that can lead to EMC failures, signal integrity issues, and costly redesigns.
👉 Resources from this video:
- Types of PCB Grounding Explained | PCB Layout: youtu.be/19WnYPhNOH0
- Layout | Mixed Signal PCB Design: Part Three: Layout | Mixed Signal PCB Design: Part Three
youtu.be/YWDxLHfsx-U
- Defining Ground | Mixed Signal PCB Design: Part Two: youtu.be/S6PNYKxJsdk
- Grounding in Ethernet with and without MagJacks: youtu.be/ijQMTl7fUOg
- Signal Integrity, Thermal & DFM: PCB West Preview with Keven Coates: youtube.com/watch?v=fdkb1O_Om7Q
- Why 90% of Electronics Fail EMC Tests and How to Fix It with Karen Burnham: youtube.com/watch?v=XG1gHjPkXyY&t=1915s
- Power Integrity and Simulations with Heidi Barnes: youtube.com/watch?v=2RbejRy8Nc8&t=1s
- Everything You Need to Know About Ferrite Beads: resources.altium.com/p/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ferrite-beads
💡 Stay Connected:
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
👉 Subscribe for more: youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1
Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.
👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner
👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: twitter.com/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: facebook.com/AltiumOfficial
The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!
About Altium LLC
Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.
#Altium #PCBDesign #SignalIntegrity
0:00 Intro
0:36 Datasheet PCB Advice
3:17 Split Plane Confusion
6:53 Hidden EMI Problems
8:12 Legacy Guidelines
10:00 PCB Design Guidelines
11:11 Ferrite Bead Usage 🟢
13:33 Kevin Coats Discussion ️
14:44 Dev Board Comments
17:07 Karen Burnham on EMC ️
18:15 EMC Compliance Issues
Altium Develop helps your team avoid costly EMC failures by giving engineers, manufacturers, and reviewers shared visibility into PCB designs before they ever leave for fabrication: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=signal-integrity&utm_content=why-datasheet-pcb-guidelines-are-often-wrong
Semiconductor datasheets are supposed to help you design better PCBs — but what happens when their layout advice is outdated, untested, or flat-out wrong? In this video, Zach Peterson digs into the persistent problem of bad PCB design guidelines found in datasheets and application notes from major semiconductor manufacturers. Through viewer comments, real datasheet examples, and insights from industry experts, Zach explores why companies continue to recommend practices like splitting analog and digital ground planes — advice rooted in the 1980s that can lead to EMC failures, signal integrity issues, and costly redesigns.
👉 Resources from this video:
- Types of PCB Grounding Explained | PCB Layout: youtu.be/19WnYPhNOH0
- Layout | Mixed Signal PCB Design: Part Three: Layout | Mixed Signal PCB Design: Part Three
youtu.be/YWDxLHfsx-U
- Defining Ground | Mixed Signal PCB Design: Part Two: youtu.be/S6PNYKxJsdk
- Grounding in Ethernet with and without MagJacks: youtu.be/ijQMTl7fUOg
- Signal Integrity, Thermal & DFM: PCB West Preview with Keven Coates: youtube.com/watch?v=fdkb1O_Om7Q
- Why 90% of Electronics Fail EMC Tests and How to Fix It with Karen Burnham: youtube.com/watch?v=XG1gHjPkXyY&t=1915s
- Power Integrity and Simulations with Heidi Barnes: youtube.com/watch?v=2RbejRy8Nc8&t=1s
- Everything You Need to Know About Ferrite Beads: resources.altium.com/p/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ferrite-beads
💡 Stay Connected:
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
👉 Subscribe for more: youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1
Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.
👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner
👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: twitter.com/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: facebook.com/AltiumOfficial
The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!
About Altium LLC
Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.
#Altium #PCBDesign #SignalIntegrity
0:00 Intro
0:36 Datasheet PCB Advice
3:17 Split Plane Confusion
6:53 Hidden EMI Problems
8:12 Legacy Guidelines
10:00 PCB Design Guidelines
11:11 Ferrite Bead Usage 🟢
13:33 Kevin Coats Discussion ️
14:44 Dev Board Comments
17:07 Karen Burnham on EMC ️
18:15 EMC Compliance Issues
