And a plan for resolving the disconnect.

In any industry, standards provide a vital catalyst for market development by supporting a variety of assurances that are needed by product suppliers and buyers. Over time, however, the pace of technical development can outstrip standards-making processes, and a change of approach is needed.

Specifications for flammability or electrical safety such as those maintained by UL are unequivocal. Those that influence general performance, on the other hand, provide limits for parameters like dielectric constant (Dk) and dissipation factor (Df). These limits are now often simply too wide for designers to predict PCB behavior based on conformance to industry standards alone.

Today, we find that end-user demands across markets from consumer mobile and automotive to industrial automation and wireless infrastructure are pushing signal frequencies higher and higher in search of ever-faster data rates and lower latency. So, even some of the most humdrum devices we use every day must be designed within exacting parameters to meet demands for functionality, performance form factor and cost. When an accurate assessment is needed, such as knowing exactly how much signal attenuation to expect, simply knowing the substrate material conforms to a category of materials based on a broad definition of its chemistry will not provide the answers.

Securing the supply chains against uncontrollable events demands trust and cooperation.

International trade is facing some significant uncertainties right now. Decisions about Brexit hang in the balance. Tensions over tariffs and subsidies are ongoing between the US and China. And there is potential for disagreement between the US and EU over approaches to trade and development.

These are, of course, only the latest in the never-ending stream of events within the continuing drama that characterizes international relations, many of which are potentially disruptive for those of us in the commercial world. We need to be aware of what’s happening and do what we can to protect ourselves against possible threats. As we say, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.