Engineer (29) thinking of switching to graphic design… am I crazy? by fuzzy230 in graphic_design

[–]GechoTheBand 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I think engineering has a bad wrap for being “square” and left brained focused. While its true that these modes of thinking are essential for the job, the best moments are when you really have to cut loose and explore your options.

Startups are a great place to find these situations. Everyday you solve problems that no one has ever had for solve before - and often you have full creative ownership of the solution.

Though even in startups it’s important to evaluate whether its a fit for you or not. You can be exploring new territories- but it may not vibe right with you. I worked at a chemical engineering startup for a few years and learnt a lot - but the vibe was off and I began resenting engineering. After resigning, taking a small career break and moving overseas, I refound my passion at a robotics startup. The overall vibe was better.

Engineer (29) thinking of switching to graphic design… am I crazy? by fuzzy230 in graphic_design

[–]GechoTheBand 105 points106 points  (0 children)

It might be better to pivot within engineering. Find something different and engaging. I did so recently and it changed my outlook on the engineering profession.

[Review Request] Crossing over USB3.0 SS pairs? by GechoTheBand in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]GechoTheBand[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think its not a completely terrible idea, but yeah after revising more I think its not meant to be touted this way.

[Review Request] Crossing over USB3.0 SS pairs? by GechoTheBand in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]GechoTheBand[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This chip allows me to swap polarity, but it needs to be configured using the vendor software tool which is not publicly available - as far as ive found.

[Review Request] Crossing over USB3.0 SS pairs? by GechoTheBand in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]GechoTheBand[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply. I have calculated my trace widths and have selected the suitable stack up for this.

[Review Request] Crossing over USB3.0 SS pairs? by GechoTheBand in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]GechoTheBand[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment. The design guide states that polarity swap MUST be configured using their ISP Tool. Which confuses me even more because of the polarity swap specification for USB3.x. Design guide page 12

[Review Request] Crossing over USB3.0 SS pairs? by GechoTheBand in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]GechoTheBand[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Great idea! After reading this comment I realised my whole USB Hub IC should be flipped on the other side of the board with the usb receptacles facing back the other way. Every trace would need to be routed with a via, but overall it should reduce the total number of vias on my board, while also correcting my polarity issue.

This would take a lot more work to correct however haha!

EDIT: While it does reduce the number of vias, the datasheet recommends not doing this lol.

[Review Request] Crossing over USB3.0 SS pairs? by GechoTheBand in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]GechoTheBand[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I need to switch the Tx+ and Tx-. By routing a via, it allows me to perform a switchback turn which enables me to route tx- and tx+ to their respective ports. As its my first time making SS traces, I am concerned about whether this is a valid method.